OLEAN, N.Y., January 13 – The Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation will open its 2026 scholarship application process on January 27.

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 2025, CRCF awarded $287,734 in scholarships to 166 students through 242 awards to the year’s applicants. Including continuing scholarship awards for previous recipients, CRCF supported over $320,000 in scholarship payments in 2025.

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.

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

• Thomas M. Barnes Scholarship – for graduating seniors of Portville Central School who demonstrate good character and have financial need.
• Travis and Darlene Baugh Scholarship – for a graduating senior from Bradford or Ellicottville Central School pursuing studies at any higher education institution.
• Greater Olean Hospitality Scholarship – for graduating seniors of high schools in the Greater Olean area (Olean, Portville, Hinsdale and Allegany-Limestone) attending a 2- or 4-year institution and pursuing a degree in a hospitality industry-related field of study.
• Don Scholla Memorial Scholarship – for graduating seniors of Olean High School, with first preference for a student planning to pursue a degree or career in physical education and/or coaching. Second preference is for those who have participated in at least two varsity sports at OHS, including as a team manager or assistant.
• Kelsey “Kelso” Shea Memorial Scholarship – for graduating seniors of Allegany-Limestone Central School attending either a 2- or 4-year college and planning to pursue a degree in arts and digital media-related studies. First preference is for a student planning to attend the Jamestown campus of Jamestown Community College.
• St. Mary’s Episcopal Church Legacy Scholarship – for two graduates of Salamanca Central School. One scholarship will be for a graduating senior, the second will be for a current college student that graduated from Salamanca Central School.
• Lorna J. Thornbury Memorial Scholarship – for graduating seniors of Olean High School intending to pursue a career in fields related to education, health care or social sciences.

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 11.

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).