The Walter Czajkowski Scholarship

 Honoring a legacy. Investing in the next generation of optics talent.

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Walt's Story

For 45 years, Walt Czajkowski dedicated his career to advancing the optics industry — and the people who make it run. He was an early champion of optical manufacturing standards, and from 1996 to 2016 he served as a manufacturing consultant to the American Precision Optics Manufacturers Association (APOMA), helping shape the trajectory of the industry he loved.

APOMA, together with SPIE and Walt's family, created this scholarship to carry his spirit forward — supporting the optics technicians and students who represent the future he spent his life building.

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About the Scholarship

The Walter Czajkowski Scholarship is open to anyone pursuing a path in optics — whether you're a current worker continuing your education, enrolled in a trade or technical program, or following a traditional college path. This is an optics-technician-focused award, available to students throughout the United States.

Each year, recipients are selected by a joint committee made up of representatives from APOMA, SPIE, and Walt's family.

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Funding and Awards

This scholarship is funded entirely through donations from the optics community — and SPIE has generously agreed to match every dollar raised.


  • Thanks to community generosity (and SPIE's match), the fund has raised $60,000
  • We expect to award up to $10,000 per year for 6 years- beginning in 2026
  • Minimum Award is $2,500 and max award is $5,000 per applicant per year
  • Applications now open for 2026-inital awards announced Aug. 15th 2026
  • If extra funds are still available, additional awards will be made on rolling basis

Apply Today!

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Frequently asked questions

What exactly can this scholarship be used for?

This scholarship is unique in that the funds can be used for a variety of training and academic pursuits.  Examples include- tuition for full time or part time students, fees for a "one time" class, or registration fees and travel for an optics conference. 

Do I have to be a member of APOMA or SPIE to be awarded this scholarship?

No, this scholarship is open to everyone.  The only criteria is that you are either enrolled as a student OR you are working full or part time in the optics industry.  The training must take place in the United States.

How are winners notified?

Initial applications for the 2026 awards are due by Aug. 13th 2026.  Applicants will find out no later than Aug. 21st 2026 for this calendar year.  Should extra funds be available additional applications will be accepted and informed on a rolling basis.  Annual award amount not to exceed $10,00 per year. Max award $5,000 per applicant per year.  Minimum award $2,500. 

What are the critera applicants are judged on?

Evaluation Criterion

Weight

Essay / Personal Statement

50%

Academic Achievement or Workforce Achievement

25%

Alignment with Scholarship Mission

20%

Leadership & Community Involvement

15%

Letter of Recommendation / Reference Quality

10%

Total

100%
What are the tax implications for scholarship winners?

IRS Rules on What a Tax‑Free Academic Scholarship Can Cover

Under IRS rules, a tax‑free scholarship is generally available only if two conditions are met:

  1. You are a candidate for a degree at an educational institution whose primary function is formal instruction and that maintains a regular faculty and curriculum
  2. The scholarship amount is used for qualified tuition and related expenses

What’s Tax‑Free

If you meet the above conditions, the following are excusable from gross income:

  • Tuition (including required enrollment fees)
  • Required course books, supplies, and equipment needed for coursework
  • Fees required for enrollment or attendance

These must be required for all students in the course or program, not optional.

What’s Taxable

Any portion of the scholarship used for incidental or non‑required expenses is taxable income, even if it’s part of the cost of attending school. This includes:

  • Room and board (housing, meals, living expenses)
  • Travel
  • Optional equipment 
  • Research, teaching, or other services required as a condition of the award 

If you are not a degree candidate (e.g., certificate or non‑degree program), the entire scholarship is taxable

Special Notes

  • Stipends for teaching or research are taxable as compensation, even if they cover tuition .
  • Non‑degree recipients owe tax on the full amount
  • You must track and report the taxable portion on your tax return. If reported on a W‑2, include it on Line 1a of Form 1040; otherwise, use Line 8 with Schedule 1
  • If part is taxable, you may need to make estimated tax payments
  • You cannot use the same tuition already excluded for a tax credit like the American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC) or Lifetime Learning Credit (LLC)

Bottom line: A tax‑free academic scholarship can cover tuition, required enrollment fees, and required course books/supplies/equipment — but not room and board, travel, optional items, or service‑based stipends. Any other use of the funds is taxable income.

Who made this scholarship possible?

A heartfelt thank-you to the generous companies and individuals who contributed to the initial scholarship fund: Optipro Systems, ESCO Optics, AccuCoat Inc., Don Golini, Escolas Optics Consulting, Sydor Optics, Czajkowski Family, Larsen Equipment Design, Edmund Optics, Universal Photonics, Access Optics, and Robert Edmund. A very special thank-you to SPIE for their generous matching contribution, which  doubled the impact of every dollar raised.