The Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation will open its 2025 scholarship application process on January 31.

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

By completing the universal application, students become eligible for over 100 scholarship opportunities tailored to various interests and career goals.

In 2024, CRCF awarded $312,853 in scholarships to 172 students across 249 awards, including continuing payments for multi-year scholarships.

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 career aspirations.

CRCF’s universal scholarship application system matches students with the scholarship awards they are eligible for based on their future major, career goals, extracurricular activities, etc.

“Each year, we’re inspired by the determination and ambition of the students in our community,” said Kirk Windus, CRCF executive director. “Through these scholarships, we are proud to invest in their futures and help them take the next step toward achieving their goals.”

This year, 6 new scholarship awards will be available to applicants in the universal application, including:

·         James and Valerie Brundage Scholarship – for a graduating senior of Salamanca City School District planning to attend a 4-year institution.

·         Gary and Paul Clancy Memorial Scholarship – for students of Ellicottville Central School who plan to major in a STEM field and have a cumulative grade of 90% or above in math and science.

·         Community Scholarship Fund – provides annual scholarships to deserving students in Cattaraugus County.

·         Ann Liederbach Memorial Scholarship – for students from Salamanca High School who are intending to or are currently pursuing a degree in elementary education.

·         Southern Tier Military Support Group Scholarship – for nontraditional students who are veterans or graduating high school seniors who are the children or dependent of a veteran and/or are planning to enroll in an ROTC program during their college education.

·         Tommy Moran Memorial Scholarship – for a student who demonstrates financial need and intends to pursue a major in a trade/technical field of study or who plans to attend Alfred State College or a trade/technical school.

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 12. All third-party recommendations for applicants must be submitted by March 20 for applications to be considered complete.

Students who have questions may contact CRCF Gift Processing and Scholarship Program Manager Kathryn Kramer at kathryn@cattfoundation.org or 716-301-2723.

The Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation is the area’s supportive, responsive and trusted community foundation. 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 foundation@cattfoundation.org, or visit online at www.cattfoundation.org. CRCF is also on Facebook (facebook.com/cattfoundation) and Twitter (@CattFoundation).