Congratulations to all scholarship recipients!
The Polish National Alliance Scholarship Committee met on June 4, 2026, to evaluate applications for the 2026–2027 Polish National Alliance Scholarship Program.
The 2026–2027 PNA Scholarship Committee consisted of Robert Groszek, Irene Hercik, and Dr. Lucja Mirowska-Kopec. The committee dedicated significant time and effort to carefully reviewing applications and selecting this year’s scholarship recipients.
This year marked an important milestone for the Polish National Alliance scholarship program with the introduction of three new scholarship opportunities: the Edmund Nasierowski (Nash) Scholarship, the Walter Drozdal Legacy Fund Scholarship, and the Walter & Bernice Kotapka Scholarship. These new programs joined the longstanding Undergraduate and Graduate Scholarship Programs that have supported PNA members for decades.
The committee faced the challenging task of selecting recipients from a highly qualified pool of applicants. In total, the PNA awarded $285,000 in scholarships to 89 students. Each scholarship program has its own eligibility requirements and evaluation criteria. Applicants for the Undergraduate and Graduate Scholarship Programs are assessed based on academic achievement, community involvement, leadership, and other accomplishments. The introduction of the new need-based scholarship programs allows the PNA to further support students who may face financial barriers to higher education, helping to ease some of the growing costs associated with earning a college degree.
Each application is carefully reviewed and assigned a score based on the applicable criteria. Scholarships are awarded to the highest-scoring applicants. Unfortunately, some applications could not be considered due to missing transcripts or incomplete documentation. We encourage all future applicants to carefully review their submissions to ensure all required materials are included.
Applications for the 2026–2027 scholarship cycle opened in January 2026 and closed in April 2026.
The PNA takes great pride in the educational aspirations of its members. Education has long been one of the organization’s core values, and the PNA remains committed to helping members pursue their academic goals. Since the first scholarships were awarded in 1973, the program has grown significantly. In its inaugural year, only two applications were received. Six scholarships were awarded in 1974, and by 1975 the program had already attracted eleven applicants. Today, approximately 150 students apply annually for the PNA Scholarship Program.
Traditionally, scholarship awards have ranged from $500 to $3,000. With the expansion of the scholarship program in 2026, the PNA is now able to offer additional scholarship opportunities, including awards of up to $5,000.
Many parents and grandparents purchase a PNA life insurance policy for their children or grandchildren, providing them with access to valuable member benefits, including eligibility for the scholarship program. As the cost of higher education continues to rise, scholarship assistance can play an important role in reducing financial burdens for students and their families. Individuals interested in learning more about the benefits available through PNA membership and life insurance products are encouraged to contact the Home Office at (773) 286-0500.
Congratulations to this year’s scholarship recipients, and thank you to all who submitted applications. All scholarship recipients will be notified of their awards by U.S. mail. The Scholarship Committee, Executive Officers, and Board of Directors extend their best wishes to all applicants and recipients as they continue their educational journeys and pursue future success.
