General Scholarships: The Bishop Francis Hodur Award: Established in 1970 at the Ninth General Convention of the National United Choirs held in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, this award is given for the study of the organ. Both beginning and accomplished organists are eligible. The Bishop Francis Bonczak Award: This award is presented for the in-depth study of music in any medium, such as music education, choral music, voice, church music, and Polish folk music. The Bishop Francis Bonczak Award was designated by the General Convention held in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, in 1970 for music enthusiasts 17 years of age or older. The Bishop Bonczak Youth Award: This award is presented for the study of music in any medium. The applicant must show how his/her pursuit of such studies will benefit the musical life of the church. The applicant must be between ten (10) and seventeen (17) years of age. The Bishop Thomas Gnat Award: This award is presented to the selected applicant for the study of music, in such fields as music education, choral music, piano, instrumental, voice, etc. The selected applicant will be an active participant in choir activities, such as organist, accompanist, choir director, or choir member. Additionally, this award is for those 25 years of age or younger. Church Music Award for Clergymen: The applicant must be a clergyman in the Polish National Catholic Church and must submit a proposed course of study. The Bishop Thaddeus F. Zielinski Award: This award is given at the discretion of the National United Choirs Executive Board upon the recommendation of the Music Scholarship Committee. This is a half-tuition scholarship for a music course taken at an institution of higher learning and granted to a worthy applicant for the pursuit of knowledge in the field of liturgical church music approved by the Music Scholarship Committee. The maximum awards is twenty-five hundred dollars ($2,500). The applicant must show how such studies will benefit the musical life of the Polish National Catholic Church. Junior Incentive Award: One-time awards are given to encourage and interest young people to participate in the musical life of the church. Either a choir member, pastor, assistant pastor, administrator, deacon, organist, Sunday School teacher, or parish committee member shall nominate the recipients of this award. In order to qualify, a nominee must show interest in the musical life of the Polish National Catholic Church. Nominees must be between eight (8) and ten(10) years of age at the time of the application. Endowed Scholarships: The Polish National Union Award: At the 1970 Sejm of the Polish National Union of america that was held in Philadelphia, PA, the delegates voted to endow a music scholarship award in the amount of $5,000. The 1992 Sejm increased the amount to $10,000. To be eligible for this award the applicant must be a member of the Polish National Union and must submit an affidavit from the branch to which he or she belongs. In addition to this, all criteria must be met. The Adam B. Pikulski Award: The Adam B. Pikulski Endowment in the amount of $5,000 was established by the United Choirs of the Central Diocese at its Convention held on October 6, 1973. To be eligible for this award, the applicant must be an active participant in choir activities, e.g., organist, choir director, music arranger, or choir member. Cecilia Shumlas Award: The family of Cecilia (Mayka) Shumlas established this endowment in April of 1977, with an intial amount of $2000 and a goal of $5000. The Bishop Walter A. Slowakiewicz Award: The United Choirs of the Eastern Diocese established this endowment at its October 1978 convention with an initial commitment of $5000. This has subsequently been increased to $10,000. Consideration is to be given to an applicant with an interest in working with youth choirs. The Emil Swantkowski Award: The Scranton Circle Choir established this award in May of 1981 with a $5,000 commitment. This award is presented to the selected applicant who is studying piano or organ, and intends to serve as an accompanist to his/her parish or circle choir. The George Balcar Award: The United Choirs of the Western Diocese established this endowment at its June 15, 1996 convention held in Detroit, MI., with an initial commitment of $5,000. The Bishop W. Eugeniusz Magyar Award: The award was established through the generosity of the late Irene F. Liptak in the amount of $10,000. It is presented to selected applicants who are of grammar school age. The Edward F. and Frances A. Bialoglowicz Award: The family of Edward F. and Frances A. Bialoglowicz established this endowment in August 2002, with a commitment of $10,000. It is presented to a college-bound student or college student.