How to Apply for Scholarships

The Common Scholarship Application

The CRCF scholarship system will open on February 1 each year. Students will be able to apply for CRCF scholarships using the application portal system linked below. The following scholarship opportunities will be available for applications in the portal:

Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation Universal Application (Common Application, which includes most CRCF-managed scholarships)
Jonathan Teuscher Scholarship Application
Sondra J. Fox Scholarship
Leadership Cattaraugus Scholarship
Ratana Ratanawongsa Scholarship
Maureen Curry Inspiration Scholarship
Southern Tier Military Scholarship

Continuing students and CRCF committee members can access the scholarship portal here as well.

OPEN SCHOLARSHIP PORTAL

Review your eligibility for all scholarships

Click Here to access a downloadable table of all available scholarships that you can sort to find information about each scholarship quickly and easily.

Important Dates

For students applying this year:

Students with open applications are encouraged to check email regularly for updates.
March 20- All documents are due before the portal closes
By May 30 - Students will be notified by CRCF if they are receiving scholarships. Scholarship info will be sent to students' respective schools to be announced at award or graduation ceremonies.
July 6 – Acceptance form and necessary documents are due

For multi-year scholarship recipients:

July 6 – Students must submit transcripts and acceptance forms

For high school juniors:

Check back at the beginning of your senior year to apply!

How to apply:

Review all CRCF Scholarship Funds to determine eligibilty.
Create an account in the scholarship portal and start your application.

Tips For A Great Application

Start early! Through the online application, you will submit requests to your guidance counselor and two references – the sooner you send them your requests, the more likely you will have your application completed by the deadline
Review the list of scholarships, decide which criteria you meet and apply for the appropriate scholarships. Show how you meet the criteria for those awards in your goal statement and any other scholarship-specific portions of the application.
If any of the awards list financial need as a factor, be sure to include your FAFSA information as requested in the application. Without your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) number, you will not be considered for those awards.
Your application is the picture you paint of yourself and the only way the scholarship reviewers know if you are deserving, so your application needs to reflect your best portrait. Be sure to list your academic, extracurricular and volunteer activities and awards. It isn’t considered bragging if you’re being honest about your achievements!
Choose your references wisely. Scholarship reviewers rely on your recommendation letters to learn how others perceive you. Ask for recommendations from people who know you well enough to write a letter that helps you stand out.
Proofread your application. Better yet, ask someone else to proof it as well. Spelling and grammar matter, and they reflect the amount of effort you put into your application.
Check your email regularly. If a part of your application is incomplete, for instance if a reference letter hasn’t been submitted, CRCF will send you an email notification. As the applicant, it is up to you to make sure all the required pieces for your application make it to the Foundation by the deadline. The scholarship committee does not review incomplete applications and does not consider them for awards.
Submit your application by the deadline. The scholarship committee does not review late applications and does not consider them for awards.
If you have questions, ask your guidance counselor for help or call or email the Foundation at 716-301-2723 or [email protected].

How to Apply for Scholarships

The Common Scholarship Application

Review your eligibility for all scholarships

Important Dates

How to apply:

Tips For A Great Application

Other Scholarship Opportunities

Annual Reports and Financials

Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation

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