Some Polish American institutions, societies and clubs offer scholarships for undergraduate college students, high school seniors as well as for graduate students of Polish descent (or sometime for students with a demonstrable connection to the Polish Community.)
In this article you will find a list of scholarships available locally and nationally, with short descriptions and links to information about eligibility, requirements, deadlines and application forms.
Not all the institutions have updated the information for 2026 yet. We will update this article as the information comes in.
Please note that some deadlines to apply are as early as February 27
The Kosciuszko Foundation Tuition Scholarship
Please follow this advice:
- Start the application process EARLY, as you will be asked to provide (usually) two letters of recommendation, often an essay or a personal statement, and an official transcript of your grades (and more). Putting this documentation together might take some time. Especially for the letters of recommendation, you need time to identify the people and ask them IN ADVANCE to write the letters.
- Read the requirements carefully and follow the instructions.
- APPLY! If you don’t apply for a scholarship, FOR SURE you won’t get it! And usually once you get one scholarship, it is easier to get another one.
- Do not get discouraged; if you don’t get the scholarship, apply again the next year (if you are eligible.)
Good luck!!! Powodzenia!
LOCAL SCHOLARSHIPS FOR RESIDENTS OF MICHIGAN
1. Polish American Congress, MI Division
PAC offers 10 scholarships for college students studying different areas. The amounts awarded vary from year to year (and depend on the funds available each year). In 2025 it was $2,000 each. The awards are paid to the institution the college student attends. Documented involvement in Polish American activities as well as community service and financial need are required.
Eligibility: college full-time students, second year and up.
Deadline to apply (TBA): most likely May 30, 2026
Information available at: https://www.pacmi.org/scholarship-grants/
https://www.pacmi.org/scholarship-grants/
(Although the information for 2026 was not yet updated, the scholarship form and the requirements for 2026 remain the same.)
2. Friends of Polish Art
In 2026, due to the fund’s exhaustion, FPA discontinued the Frank Filipek Scholarships and in its place established three new Mitchell Scholarships. These scholarships, like the Frank Filipek Scholarships before, are awarded to support academic studies in fields such as law, medicine, architecture, engineering, sciences, and the liberal arts, excluding the fine arts.
In 2026 FPA continues to offer two Mitchell Fine Arts Scholarships (for studies in fine arts and other forms of creative expression as well as history, literature, religion, philosophy and Polish Studies).
The 2026 FPA scholarships (altogether five offered) are in the amount of $2,000 each and are given to the individual.
Eligibility: high school seniors and undergraduate students of Polish descent and/or students with a demonstrable connection to the Polish community.
Deadline to apply: April 24, 2026
Information available at: https://www.friendsofpolishart.org/scholarships/mitchell-scholarship/
https://www.friendsofpolishart.org/scholarships/mitchell-scholarship/
https://www.friendsofpolishart.org/scholarships/mitchel-fine-arts-scholarship/
3. The American Polish Cultural Society (APCS)
Depending on available funds and the number of applications, the APCS offers scholarships to young people with demonstrated connections to the Polish American community. The number of scholarships, as well as amounts awarded, vary. Last year APCS’s scholarships were $2,000 each. The 2026 scholarships will be awarded in August.
Eligibility: high school seniors and undergraduate students, with parents or guardians with membership in the American Polish Cultural Society or who themselves are members of the APCS (two full years of membership required prior to applying).
Deadline to apply and the 2026 application form: TBA
More information:
https://www.americanpolishcenter.com/membership/scholarship-application/
4. Polish Century Club (PCC)
PCC offers scholarships to support their member’s children and grandchildren in their college education. Only the PCC member’s children and grandchildren are eligible. For more information contact the PCC. Information about the Polish Century Club is available at: https://www.polishcenturyclub.com/
NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS
1. THE AMERICAN COUNCIL FOR POLISH CULTURE (ACPC) SCHOLARSHIPS
(Note: although all the scholarships listed are offered this year, only one scholarship info was updated so far. The remaining updates are expected soon.)
https://polishcultureacpc.org/scholarships
A. ACPC Scholarships for 2026 Summer Study in Poland
The scholarship is available to high school seniors, and college and university undergraduate and graduate students of Polish heritage. Students may choose to participate in Polish language, history, culture, or current affairs courses, seminars, conferences, or workshops of their choosing. The amount of $2,000 is to be used toward transportation, program and living costs.
The deadline to apply: April 1, 2026
Detailed information, and the application form available at:
https://polishcultureacpc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Summer-Study-in-Poland-Application.pdf
The following scholarships are also offered by ACPC, but as of February 23, 2026, the information was not yet updated.
B. Leonard Skowronski Polish Studies Scholarship
The American Council for Polish Culture (ACPC)offers two scholarships, $3,000 each to students pursuing Polish Studies.
Eligibility: students pursuing some Polish studies (major may be in other fields) at universities in the United States who have completed at least two years of college or university work at an accredited institution. The scholarships are awarded for the fall term.
Deadline to apply: TBA (probably April 2026)
Detailed information, and the old application form available at:
https://polishcultureacpc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Leonard-Skowronski-Polish-Studies-Scholarship-2024.pdf
C. The Eye of the Eagle Scholarship (for a student pursuing a career in journalism and/or mass media)
One scholarship of $5000.00 will be awarded annually to an undergraduate or graduate student pursuing a career in journalism and/or mass media.
Eligibility: The award is based solely on professional and academic merit with an appreciation for issues that affect Polish Americans.
Deadline to apply: TBA (likely: June 30, 2026)
Detailed information, and the old application form available at:
D. Pulaski Scholarships for Advanced Studies (graduate students only)
Eligibility: Applicant must be a classified graduate student enrolled at an accredited university in the United States and must have completed at least one year of studies at the graduate level.
Amount: $5,000 (may change)
Deadline to apply: TBA (likely March 27, 2026)
Detailed information, and the application form available at:
https://polishcultureacpc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Application-PULASKI-SCHOLARSHIP.pdf
E. The following is not a scholarship, but a vocal competition offered by the ACPC.
ACPC Marcella Kochańska Sembrich National Vocal Competition
Eligibility: Participant must be of Polish descent, a United States citizen or a permanent resident. The competition is open to singers up to the age of 38 who are not under professional management. First Place Winner: $3,500 Second Place Winner: $1,000 Third Place Winner: $ 500.
Application deadline: May 15, 2026
https://polishcultureacpc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Sembrich-Competition-Information-2026-1.pdf
2. KOSCIUSZKO FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS
A. Kosciuszko Foundation Tuition Scholarships
Eligibility: American students of Polish descent at undergraduate and graduate level studies at colleges and universities in the United States. Scholarships are up to $12,000. Funding is only for full-time studies in the United States and English Schools of Medicine in Poland.
Deadline to apply: February 27, 2026 (recommendation letters due: March 10)
Detailed information, and the application forms available at:
https://thekf.org/scholarship/tuition-scholarships/tuition-scholarships-for-undergraduate-studies/
B. For more scholarship and grant opportunities with the Kosciuszko Foundation such as: Exchange Program to Poland (Year Abroad Scholarships and Study and Research in Poland Grants), Exchange Program to USA, and Summer Studies Abroad, please visit:
https://thekf.org/what-we-do/grants-scholarships/
Deadline to apply: March 2, 2026
3. POLISH ROMAN CATHOLIC UNION OF AMERICA (PRCUA) SCHOLARSHIPS
PRCUA offers two types of scholarships, (a) PRCUA Educational Scholarships (non-members may apply) and (b) PRCUA Fraternal Scholarships (for members only)
All awards are made payable to the institution, not to the individual.
A. PRCUA Educational Scholarships
Scholarships totaling $25,000 will be awarded with the purpose of providing financial assistance to students to earn undergraduate, graduate or professional degrees based on the number of applications submitted.
Eligibility: PRCUA membership not required. Sophomores, juniors, and seniors enrolled full-time in undergraduate study or students enrolled in graduate or professional degree program.
Deadline to apply: June 20, 2026
No current application form available yet. For updates, please check:
https://www.prcua.org/scholarships/
B. PRCUA Fraternal Scholarships
PRCUA Fraternal Scholarships are for eligible PRCUA members and are awarded with the purpose of providing financial assistance to students to earn undergraduate, graduate or professional degrees. Fraternal Scholarships totaling $25,000 will be awarded.
Eligibility: eligible PRCUA members. Sophomores, juniors, and seniors enrolled full-time in undergraduate study, or students enrolled in graduate or professional degree program.
Deadline to apply: June 20, 2026
No current application form available yet. For updates, please check:
