The Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation’s  scholarship process for 2024 will open to applications from area students on February 1.

Students can apply using the online scholarship portal at cattfoundation.org/apply-for-scholarships.

Applying using the system’s universal application will allow students to quickly apply for any of the more than 100 scholarship opportunities available to them.

In 2023, 172 area students received 232 awards from CRCF-managed scholarship funds, together totaling over $277,621.

Scholarships are available to students throughout the region (including, depending on the criteria of each fund, Cattaraugus, Allegany, Chautauqua and McKean (PA) counties) for a multitude of interests and career/educational goals.

CRCF’s universal scholarship application system allows students to complete one scholarship application that makes them eligible for a number of scholarship opportunities. The scholarship application system matches students with the scholarship awards they are eligible for based on their future major, career aspirations, extracurricular activities, etc.

“At CRCF we are excited for another scholarship season and another opportunity to support the young people in our community as they pursue their dreams of an education and career,” said CRCF Executive Director Kirk Windus. “Our scholarship program and its impact continues to grow each year, and we are especially excited to award a number of new scholarships this year.”

This year, 10 new scholarship awards will be available to applicants, including:

• Christine Conner Memorial Scholarship – for students from Allegany-Limestone and/or Oswayo Valley central schools pursuing an education in criminal justice, the emergency medical field, nursing or a mental health-related field.
• Shaun Costa Memorial Scholarship – for graduating Allegany-Limestone Central School seniors pursuing an education or expressing an interest in either a first responder-or vocational/technical-related field and/or to a student who has faced a challenge and persevered.
• Gene and Sandra Froebel Teacher Scholarship – for graduating seniors of Olean, Allegany-Limestone, Portville, Hinsdale, Cuba-Rushford, Oswayo Valley and Bradford high schools attending a 4-year college and pursuing a career in education. Consideration will be given to students who have overcome a hardship or challenge and/or participated in athletics
• Rebekah Love Family Scholarship – for graduating seniors of Franklinville Central School who have demonstrated academic success and are pursuing a post-secondary degree. Preference will be given to students pursuing a degree in education- or nursing-related field of study as well as students who have faced adversity and persevered with a positive attitude.
• Louis A. “Louie” and Patricia Magnano Scholarship – for graduating seniors of Olean High School in good academic standing going into a business-related field of study.
• Louis L. Marra Scholarship – for graduating seniors of Olean High School who have held a job during their high school career and demonstrate financial need and academic success.
• Sara Mollica Memorial Scholarship – one award each for graduating seniors of Allegany-Limestone Central School and Olean High School for students pursuing a post-secondary education in a career/technical field or health care-related field of study.
• George and Marcia Pancio Scholarship – for graduating seniors of Olean High School planning to study in the education or a medical professional field. Applicants need to complete an essay question on patriotism.
• Carroll Swanson Memorial Scholarship for the Performing Arts – for graduating seniors of Allegany-Limestone, Olean and Portville high schools who have participated in a school music program and receive a recommendation from the school’s music program director.
• Tracy Veno Memorial/Olean Professional Firefighters, Local 1796 Scholarship – for graduating seniors of Olean High School who have been involved in community service/volunteerism and/or demonstrate an interest in a career in a career as a first responder.

Applicants will apply entirely online and submit supporting documentation such as transcripts and recommendations from chosen references using the online portal.

Applications must be completed and submitted by March 20.

Students who have questions may contact CRCF Gift Processing and Scholarship Program Manager Tricia Oakley at [email protected] or 716-701-4016.

Established in 1994, CRCF is growing good by connecting donors to the causes they care about most in the region. Grants from the foundation support many areas, including education, scholarships, health care, the arts, community development, human service, and youth development. To learn more, call (716) 301-CRCF (2723), email [email protected], or visit online at www.cattfoundation.org. CRCF is also on Facebook (facebook.com/cattfoundation) and Twitter (@CattFoundation).