Polish & Slavic Federal Credit Union Awards Record $700,000 in Scholarships

Marking its 50th anniversary, the Brooklyn-based Polish & Slavic Federal Credit Union has distributed a record $700,000 in scholarships to 602 student members across 14 states. The initiative, which supports both incoming freshmen and current college students, highlights the institution's ongoing commitment to fostering academic achievement within the Polish-American community.

The awards were presented during dual ceremonies held in New Jersey and Chicago, where former Polish President Andrzej Duda lauded the recipients as the "elite of the elite" for their drive and ambition. Among the 602 honorees, 348 are high-school graduates preparing for their first year of higher education, while 242 are already enrolled in degree programs. Beyond financial support, the credit union is sending 12 members to Poland this summer for internships hosted by the Catholic University of Lublin.

PSFCU President and CEO Bogdan Chmielewski framed the record-breaking disbursement as a reflection of the organization’s long-term success. Since the scholarship program launched in 2001, the credit union has provided nearly $9 million to more than 7,600 students. Today, the organization serves over 127,000 members with $2.7 billion in assets, recently expanding its footprint to a 25th branch in Florida.