A – Scholarship Application

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 – Submit your application by February 17, 2025.

B – Submit a Statement of Purpose.  In your statement of purpose discuss your major, relevant academic and extracurricular activities as well as your short and long term goals.  Your statement will be two pages long, double spaced.  Include your full name, and page numbers on each page of your essay.

C –  Submit official transcripts of studies.  3 academic years are required, for example, a current college sophomore is required to submit official transcripts for freshman year plus senior and junior year of high school (1 year of college studies + 2 years high school).

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 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 the student.  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 document as Candidate’s Last name-First name-LOR. 

E – Submit a copy of your college admission letter.  This requirement is only for students who are entering college.  College admission letters are accepted through May 31st. 

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 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 – Submit the $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 – Submit  a new scholarship application by February 17, 2025.

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 2024 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