Tuition scholarships for graduate studies

• Citizens and legal permanent residents of the United States
• must be of Polish descent
• graduate level studies (Masters, Ph.D.)
• GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Only one member per immediate family may receive a tuition scholarship during a given academic year. Awards are limited to two tuition scholarships per individual during the period of his/her studies.  Applicants may re-apply for funding, however, scholarship renewals are not guaranteed

Selection is based on application completeness, recommendation of teachers and professors, academic excellence and achievements, applicant’s interests, motivation, the applicant’s essay, involvement in the Polish American community. Financial need is taken into consideration.

Kosciuszko Foundation scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis.

A complete application includes the following materials:

• A – Scholarship Application (A1) and Financial Information Form (A2)
• B – Statement of Purpose/essay
• C – Admission Letter, if applicable
• D – Proof of Polish Ancestry
• E- Photo
• F – Curriculum Vitae
• G – Official Transcripts
• H- Two Letters of Recommendations
• I – $40 non-refundable application fee.

Notes Regarding Supporting Documents:  

• A –  See the Click Here to Apply button below for application forms.  Submit a completed Financial Information Form (Pages 1 and 2).  Candidates entering graduate and doctoral programs please include budgetary figures for the top three schools you are most likely to attend on Page 2.
• B – Submit a Statement of Purpose.  Discuss your major and your major, relevant academic and extracurricular activities as well as your short and long term goals. Your statement will be three pages long, double spaced.  Include your full name TU23 and page numbers on  each page of your essay;
• C – Submit official transcripts of studies.  3 academic years are required (through Summer 2022), for example, a current college senior entering graduate level studies is required to submit official transcripts for their undergraduate freshman, sophomore and junior year.
• An official transcript is one that is sent by the university or school directly to the Kosciuszko Foundation.  An official transcript is usually printed on official transcript paper and bears the embossed or raised seal of the university or school as well as the date and the registrar’s signature.  Official transcripts are usually sent in a sealed envelope and include the registrar’s signature stamped across the seal of the envelope.
• Transcripts will NOT be accepted from students.
• Electronic transcripts are accepted and are considered official if delivered securely through an organization authorized by your university and e-mailed directly to the Foundation.  The Foundation accepts electronic transcripts from Transcript Network by Credentials Solutions, LLC; Transcript Services at Parchment; Credentials eScrip-Safe  and from the National Student Clearinghouse.
• D – Two confidential letters of recommendation are required.  Letters must be written on university letterhead and come directly from professors or teachers with whom you have studied recently.  The Foundation can accept letters via USPS or e-mail, however, recommendation letters must come directly from the professor or school office.  Recommendation letters will NOT be accepted from students.  A non-academic letter of recommendation will be accepted as an optional 3rd letter of support.  The optional letter may be submitted on your behalf by an employer or supervisor, leader or officer of an organization with whom you are affiliated or other person who can speak to relevant activities, abilities and or suitability for scholarship funding.  Recommenders who wish to submit letters via e-mail are asked to save their documents as TU23-Candidate’s Last Name-First Name-LOR-Prof’s Last name;  
• E – Submit a copy of your letter of admission.  This requirement is only for students who are entering graduate programs or beginning doctoral programs in academic year Fall 2023/Spring 2024.   Admission letters are accepted through May 31st. Early submissions are appreciated. 
• F – Submit proof of Polish ancestry.  Use copies of documents such as birth certificates, passports, naturalization papers and other official documents to trace your lineage to the ancestor who was born in Poland.  Highlight relevant names and arrange the documents in chronological order.  Save all your documents to one file and save the file according to the file naming convention listed below.  One line of descent is needed to prove Polish descent.  If the above described documentation is not available, a letter from a prominent member of the community verifying your Polish ancestry will be accepted. Letters from relatives are not official documents and will not be accepted.
• G– Submit a photo of yourself, which is suitable for publication in the Kosciuszko Foundation’s Newsletter. A passport-style photo (headshot) is suggested;  
• H– Submit your Curriculum Vitae. Include awards, achievements, participation in clubs, activities, Polish clubs, etc.; 
• I-$40 non-refundable application fee.
• Notes for students who wish to reapply for scholarship funding:

Students who are re-applying for scholarship funding will be competing against a new pool of candidates.  Update all items except proof of Polish heritage:   

• •  A – Update your application and financial information form;
  • B – Update your Statement of Purpose to reflect your progress; any additional recent activities such as internships, volunteer programs and or new developments/ directions in your studies;
  • C – Submit Official Transcripts showing grades for the interim period.  Kindly note that some students may be asked to show grades for the Fall 2022 semester;
  • D – Two confidential letters of recommendation;
  • E – Letter of Admission, if applicable; 
  • F – photo;
  • G – updated C.V.
  • H – application fee

Prepare the following before you apply on-line :

• Your essay, proof of ancestry, photo, and CV
• green card and naturalization certificate numbers (non-citizens)
• high school and college start and end dates, degrees/expected degrees, graduation dates/expected dates of graduation

• • Use the following file naming convention for all supporting documents: TU23-Your Last Name-Your First Name-Description of File Contents.  Descriptions may include Financial Information Form (FIF); Financial info; Essay; Admission-UIC (include university initials); Heritage; Ancestry; Photo; CV and similar descriptive terms.
    • Acceptable file formats for documents include .doc, .docx, and .pdf
    • Acceptable file formats for photos include .png, .jpg, and .jpeg
    • We will contact you via e-mail or phone if questions arise or if clarification is needed – please respond promptly.
    • Applications must be complete in order to receive scholarship consideration;
    •  Do not staple check/money order to Checklist.
    • Set aside enough time to complete the on-line application form without taking a break.  You will not be able to save your answers and return to complete the form at a later time.
    • Apply only once – we will also consider you for any KF tuition scholarship for which you qualify.
    • If you have any technical difficulties, please contact us at the number below.

    Scholarships are awarded based on the information you supply on your application form.  Candidates are matched with appropriate funds which may specify or limits subject area, state of residence, and or other factors. A change in subject area, university and/or degree sought which are made following scholarship notification must be communicated to the Kosciuszko Foundation Grants Department and may result in re-consideration of your scholarship so that an appropriate fund can be found.  If an appropriate match is not found, cancellation of the scholarship award may result.

    Documents to submit on-line: 
    A1- Application form
    B- Personal Statement/Essay
    F- Proof of Polish descent
    G- Photo
    H- Curriculum Vitae 
     
    Documents to submit via USPS or e-mail:
    A2- Financial Information Form
    C- Official Transcripts
    D- Letters of Recommendation
    E- Admission letters 
     
    Documents to submit via USPS: 
    I- $40 application fee if payment is made by check or money order. 
     
    Submit hard copy materials to:
    Grants Department
    Kosciuszko Foundation, Inc.
    15 East 65th Street
    New York, NY 10065
     
     
    Submit questions and supporting materials to: 
    E-mail: tuitionscholarships@thekf.org ; Phone:  (212) 734-2130 ext. 412
     
     
    NOTE FOR CURRENT CANDIDATES:   If you have moved/changed your address since submitting your application form, submit a Change of Address Form to tuitionscholarships@thekf.org

All fields and majors are eligible for scholarship funding under the Kosciuszko Foundation’s Tuition Scholarship program.  In addition, the Foundation has funds dedicated for:

• law and engineering studies at DePaul University and for studies at non-public colleges and universities in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin;
• residents of Amsterdam, NY;
• residents of the Chicago, IL area for studies towards MD, DO, DDS, DDM, DVM degrees (Polish American Medical Society – Chicago);
• residents of Chicopee, MA;
• residents of New Hampshire;
• residents of Connecticut, first preference for residents of Fairfield and New Haven counties;
• students who evidence leadership, excellent written and verbal communication skills and participate in school and/or community activities;
• students majoring in journalism;
• students majoring in physical-chemical, biological, technical and natural sciences;
• student majoring in dentistry;
• students majoring in medicine at English schools of medicine in Poland;
• students majoring in engineering and medical sciences;
• students majoring in applied sciences; medicine; music; humanities; social sciences; architecture; engineering; medical research; education; piano performance;  violin performance; orchestral studies; law; art; fine arts;  pharmacy; chemistry; accounting; business administration; banking; finance; Polish studies.
  Only one member per immediate family may receive a tuition scholarship during a given academic year. Awards are limited to two tuition scholarships per individual during the period of his/her studies.  Applicants may re-apply for funding, however, scholarship renewals are not guaranteed.

Apply Here 

Financial Information Form 

TU checklist 

24-Change-of-Address-Form-en-us