Polanki College Achievement Awards
Scholarship Sponsored by Polanki
About the Awards
Description: Polanki’s annual College Achievement Awards recognize students who have demonstrated high achievement and are committed to understanding, preserving, or sharing Polish culture or language. Most awards are open to students in any field of study. The Deborah Tyszka Award is designated specifically for a student of art.
- Applicants may be pursuing any field of study for most awards.
- The Deborah Tyszka Award is for a student of art.
Eligibility
Eligibility: Applicants must meet the citizenship or residency requirements and be enrolled in an accredited degree program during the 2026–2027 academic year. They must also have a connection to Wisconsin and a demonstrated connection to Polish ancestry, language, history, society, or culture. A minimum 3.0 GPA on a four-point scale is preferred.
- Applicants must be U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents.
- Applicants must be juniors, seniors, or graduate students during the 2026–2027 academic year.
- Applicants must be current or former Wisconsin residents, or attend a Wisconsin college or university.
- Applicants must be of Polish ancestry, have studied Polish language, history, society, or culture, or have significant engagement with Polish culture.
- Applicants may receive no more than two awards during their academic career. Past recipients may reapply as graduate students after receiving an undergraduate award, or when pursuing a new degree after completing the course of study for which they previously received an award.
Award Details
Award Value: Awards range from $1,500 to $5,000, based on applicants’ qualifications. The awards support students who demonstrate academic achievement and a connection to Polish culture or language. Most awards are available across fields of study, with the Deborah Tyszka Award reserved for a student of art.
- Award amounts are determined by applicant qualifications.
- The award range is $1,500–$5,000.
- The Deborah Tyszka Award is designated for a student of art.
Application Instructions
Application: Complete all five parts of the application and include a transcript from every college attended. Parts 2–4 must be typed on separate pages, with the applicant’s name on each page. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
- Complete Part 1 legibly in black ink or type it on the application form.
- Type Parts 2–4 on separate pages and attach them to the form.
- Complete, sign, and date Part 5.
- Attach one college-issued transcript for each college attended; unofficial transcripts are acceptable. Alverno College applicants should also request a class rank or another measure of academic performance relative to other students.
- Submit the application by mail to Polanki College Achievement Award, PO Box 341458, Milwaukee, WI 53234, or by email to [email protected].
- UWM students seeking consideration for the Victor Podlaski/UWM Polish Studies Award must also complete the UWM application at uwm.academicworks.com.
Application Timeline and Awards Tea
Application Timeline: Applications must be postmarked or emailed no later than January 2027. Awards will be presented at the annual Polanki College Achievement Awards Tea on Sunday, April 25, 2027, at 2 p.m. Awardees are expected to attend and give a brief presentation about their academic background and interest in Polish culture.
- The application deadline is in January 2027; incomplete applications will not be considered.
- The Awards Tea will take place at the Polish Center of Wisconsin, 6941 South 68th Street, Franklin, WI 53132.
- Awardees are expected to give a 1–2 minute presentation.
- A group photo may be shared on Polanki’s social media and in its newsletter.
Additional Information
Questions and Application Form: Visit www.polanki.org for additional award information and to download an application form. Direct questions about the application procedure to [email protected]. Applicants should ensure their materials are complete before submitting them.
- Website: www.polanki.org
- Application questions: [email protected]