DABROWSKI FOUNDATION
formerly Knights of Dabrowski
PO Box 526
Itasca, Illinois 60143-0526

Email: info@dabrowskifund.org
Phone: 773-792-1800

 

SKONIECZNY POLISH HERITAGE SCHOLARSHIP
for High School Seniors

Dear High School Senior:

Thank you for your interest in applying for the Dabrowski Foundation’s Skonieczny Polish Heritage Scholarship. Please understand that there is a limited number of scholarships available. Preference will be given to students of Polish ethnicity. Awards are determined based on academic performance, financial need, involvement in the Polish community, career goals, and potential interview with members of the Dabrowski Foundation.

NUMBER OF SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED: Up to 10 awards    

POTENTIAL SCHOLARSHIP AWARD LEVELS: $1,000 - $2,000

BASIC ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

• Student is a graduating high school senior preparing to enter an accredited college/university or trade-school on a full-time basis during the 2026-27 academic year.
• Student must have permanent residence in the Chicago Metro Area for at least four years prior to application (proof of residency may be requested).
• Student demonstrates good character, a high level of academic achievement, community involvement/volunteerism.
• Student is of Polish ancestry and has exhibited interest/involvement in the Polish community whether by way of extracurricular activities or volunteer opportunities.
• Student cannot be a member nor immediate family of a member of Dabrowski Foundation, nor a substantial contributor or immediate family of a substantial contributor to the Dabrowski Foundation.
• Student should be able and willing to participate in an interview (in-person or virtually), if invited to do so by the committee.
• If selected to receive an award, student should be able and willing to attend the Dabrowski Foundation Annual Awards Presentation in the early Summer of 2026 (if held).

SCHOLARSHIP ADMINISTRATION

Scholarship awards will be paid directly to the educational institution for the benefit of the Recipient. The educational institution must agree in writing to use the funds towards payment of the Recipient’s Qualified Tuition and Related Expenses. If for any reasons, the scholarship is paid directly to anyone but the educational institution, the Foundation must receive a report on the progress of each Recipient of such scholarship at least once per year as well as documentation evidencing that the scholarship funds were utilized for Qualified Tuition and Related Expenses.

The Foundation shall require all Recipients to submit annual reports regarding the Recipient’s use of the Foundation funds and the Recipient’s progress toward achieving the purpose for which the scholarship was approved. Upon completion of the undertaking for which the scholarship was approved, the Recipient must submit a final report describing his or her accomplishments with respect to the purpose of the scholarship and an accounting for the scholarship funds awarded.

The Foundation will require each Recipient to submit to the Foundation a report of  his or her courses taken (if any), grades received (if any), in each academic period for which a scholarship was awarded, and accomplishments (if any).

Such report shall be accompanied by an official transcript from the educational institution. The Recipient must submit this report to the Foundation upon completion of each academic period or other applicable period of time.

Please use the following link to review additional information: Scholarship Policies-Procedures

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Clearly print or type answers on the application in the spaces allotted.
2. Using the link provided at the end of the application, submit the first page of the most recent federal tax return for your parent(s)/guardian(s) showing their annual Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) (with Social Security Numbers redacted); if preferred, a copy can be mailed to the address listed above.
3. Using the link provided at the end of the application, submit a copy of student's most recent available school transcript.
4. Using the link provided at the end of the application, submit a recent headshot photo – please limit size to no larger than 4"x6".
5. Complete and submit the application electronically using this online form and providing supporting documents as requested no later than midnight of March 31, 2026. If necessary, the application can be printed and should be mailed with postmark no later than March 31, 2026, to the address above via United States Postal Service Regular First-Class Mail only.

It is important that you comply fully with all the requirements and instructions for your application to be considered. The information provided is held in the strictest confidence and used exclusively for the purpose of evaluating your qualifications for a scholarship award through the Skonieczny Polish Heritage Scholarship Program. Once scholarships have been reviewed, you will be notified regarding the status of your application and whether you will be invited to interview with the committee.

Should you have any questions, feel free to contact us by email at info@dabrowskifund.org, or by phone at 773-792-1800. We wish you continued success in your educational pursuits.

~Dabrowski Foundation Scholarship Committee

 

www.dabrowskifund.org

Dabrowski Foundation is a 501(c)3 private foundation promoting higher education

CERTIFICATION
I affirm that the information presented in this application is true, correct, and complete, to the best of my knowledge. I understand that this is only an application for a scholarship and no guarantee or assurance of receiving an award can be made until approved by the members of the Dabrowski Foundation.

PHOTOGRAPHS AND VIDEOS
Should I be selected as a recipient of the Dabrowski Foundation’s Skonieczny Polish Heritage Scholarship, I grant the Dabrowski Foundation permission to take photographs and/or videos of me or my representative at the awards presentation ceremony and use this material as Dabrowski Foundation deems fit for publicity and/or community public relations purposes to advance the cause(s) of the organization.