PHILADELPHIA – The Ukrainian National Association (UNA) has a longstanding tradition of assisting students in their pursuit of higher education. Despite the continuing challenges of the coronavirus, the UNA continued that tradition in 2021. The UNA Scholarship Committee met virtually on June 22 to review all applications for scholarships and awards.
There was a total of 44 applicants from 23 different UNA branches. The number and quality of applicants this year were truly exceptional, with a number of students applying for more than one scholarship for which they were eligible.
The special scholarships awarded by the UNA include the following for undergraduate students:
– Joseph and Dora Galandiuk Scholarship ($2,000) for students in sciences or accounting
– Drs. Maria, Dmytro and Olha Jarosewycz Scholarship ($1,000) for students excelling in their studies
– Vera Stangl Scholarship ($750) for students studying journalism or nature/wildlife
– Joseph Wolk Scholarship ($750) for students of Lemko heritage
– Ukrainian National Home Corp. of Blackstone, Mass., Scholarships ($500 each) for students from UNA New England branches
– Stefan Hawrysz Scholarship ($750) for students from one of the UNA’s Philadelphia District branches. This scholarship was created in 2021 by the Philadelphia District of the UNA.
The above scholarships are all funded by generous benefactors. The UNA is grateful for their support.
If you or your organization is interested in sponsoring a UNA scholarship, please contact Eugene Serba, UNA second vice-president, at 856-904-4161. The UNA will process, evaluate and handle all administration of the scholarship based on criteria you establish.
In addition to the special scholarships listed above, the UNA sponsors UNA Heritage Scholarships of $1,000 each for undergraduate or graduate students enrolled in either full- or part-time programs. These scholarships – which recognize academic achievement and community involvement – were established in 2019 to celebrate the UNA’s 125th anniversary.
We are pleased to report the following recipients of UNA Special Scholarships for academic year 2021-2022:
– Galandiuk Scholarship – Matthew Stefurak, Branch 116, University of Pittsburgh;
– Jarosewycz Scholarship – Stephanie Manasterski, Branch 120, University of Pittsburgh;
– Stefan Hawrysz Scholarship – Alexa Kolakoski, Branch 362, Northeastern University;
– Wolk Scholarship – Juliana Paslawsky, Branch 42, Ramapo College;
– Blackstone Scholarship – Melania Gluch, Branch 277, Seton Hall University.
Regrettably, no one applied for the Stangl Scholarship in 2021.
UNA Heritage Scholarship recipients for 2021-2022 are:
– Chloe Diakiwsky, Branch 161, Berklee College of Music;
– Andrew Stelmach, Branch 269, Northeastern University;
– Julianna Walchuk, Branch 171, Columbia University;
– Paul Williams, Branch 37, Wake Forest University;
– Kyril Yurchuk, Branch 70, The Cooper Union.
Congratulations to all scholarship recipients! It is notable that the 10 students who received these scholarships listed represent 10 different UNA branches and are pursuing their studies at eight different universities in diverse fields ranging from rehabilitation science and counseling psychology to music and civil engineering.
In addition to the special scholarships, the UNA gave out monetary awards to undergraduate students based on their year of academic study.
Congratulations to all award recipients!
In order to apply for a UNA scholarship or award, a student must have a current UNA insurance policy with a minimum amount of $5,000 (term policies excluded). The most common policies are Endowment at Age 18 and the 20-Year Endowment. These policies are usually purchased for children by their parents, grandparents or aunts and uncles.
To learn more about the UNA’s scholarship program, readers may visit the following web site: https://unainc.org/una/benefits/scholarships/.
Notably, the UNA also offers a Coverdell Education Savings Account (ESA), another common vehicle for academic funding, whereby up to $2,000 per year can be deposited into an account with tax-free growth, provided the funds are withdrawn and used for studies.
For more information about UNA insurance policies, endowments, annuities, IRAs and the ESA, readers may contact their branch secretary or the UNA directly at 800-253-0860.
Eugene Serba, MBA, is the Ukrainian National Association’s second vice-president and he chairs the UNA Scholarship Committee.
