2026-2027 Kosciuszko Foundation Tuition Scholarships
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The Kosciuszko Foundation Tuition Scholarship supports American students of Polish descent pursuing undergraduate and graduate studies in the United States. The Kosciuszko Foundation Tuition Scholarship offers awards ranging from $1,000 to $12,000 for full-time undergraduate and graduate education.  Funding is only for full-time studies in the United States and English Schools of Medicine in Poland.

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, responses to scholarship essay questions, the applicant’s essay, involvement in the Polish American community. Financial need is taken into consideration. 

 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.

Apply only once – we will also consider you for any KF tuition scholarship for which you qualify.

 

Tuition Scholarships for Graduate Studies

Eligibility: 

  • 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.

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.       

Tuition Scholarships for undegraduate studies

Eligibility: 

  • citizens or legal permanent residents of the United States
  • must be of Polish descent;
  • a college freshman, sophomore or junior at the time of application;
  • and have a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Application Procedure for scholarships for graduate and undergraduate studies: 

Scholarship Application

1. As part of the application, you must upload the following required documents from (a) to (e): 

a) 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.

b)  Curriculum Vitae. Include high school and college start and end dates, degrees/expected degrees, graduation dates/expected dates of graduation  awards, achievements, participation in clubs, activities, Polish clubs, etc.;

c) Official Transcripts of studies. 2 academic years are required, for example, a current college senior entering graduate level studies is required to submit official transcripts for their undergraduate freshman, sophomore and junior year.

d)  A photo which is suitable for publication in the Kosciuszko Foundation’s Newsletter. A passport-style photo (headshot) is suggested;

e)  A scan of your U.S. passport ID page or green card or naturalization certificate numbers (non-citizens)

2. Statement of Purpose. Complete all scholarship essay questions. 

3. Secure two recommendation letters. 

Who can issue a recommendation letter: 

The authors should be the two individuals who can best speak to your ability to study in Poland; they should discuss your intellectual and professional preparation. At least one of the letters must be from an individual with academic rank of Professor (i.e. Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Professor). Letters should be addressed to the Kosciuszko Foundation Academic Advisory Committee. Anyone who serves as a recommender may not also provide the applicant with an invitation letter. References from relatives are not permitted. 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. 

Submitting a recommendation letter:

When completing your application, you will need to provide the name and institutional email address of each recommender. Recommenders will then receive an email invitation to upload their recommendation letter directly into the Reviewr portal.

4. $40 non-refundable application fee. At the end of the application form, you will be asked to make a payment. 

Students reapplying for scholarship funding must submit a new application as they will compete against a new group of candidates.

If you have any questions please contact Malgorzata Dymkowska, Grant and Scholarship Officer at tuitionscholarships@thekf.org or by phone at 212-734-2130.

Scholarship Notification: Applicants receive an email notification regarding the scholarship decision in the end of May/at the begining of June.