Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation Scholarships

The Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation administers more than 100 scholarship funds and reports distributing over $300,000 each year for higher education. Donors set individual criteria: some awards target one school, while others focus on majors, community service, location, or specific circumstances. The universal application is a starting point, but students should review the downloadable list and pursue only funds whose requirements they can document.

The portal combines a universal application with several separate forms, including Jonathan Teuscher, Sondra J. Fox, Leadership Cattaraugus, Ratana Ratanawongsa, Maureen Curry Inspiration, and Southern Tier Military. Residency, school, field-of-study, and financial-need rules differ by award. Some scholarships considering need require FAFSA information; incomplete files are not reviewed, and references need time to arrive.

The next application system opens January 26, 2027. The page also lists dates for its annual process: student applications due March 10, recommendations and documents due March 18, notices expected by May 29, and award acceptance by July 7. Because some milestones are shown without repeating the year, confirm them on the 2027 cycle screen before submitting. The Olean office can help with portal questions.

Before applying, confirm that the cycle and academic program match your circumstances and that the window is still open. Start at the administrator’s link, save the rules, and prepare transcripts, FAFSA information, essays, and recommendations in the requested format. Track the application and reference deadlines separately: some portals close different components on different days. After submitting, monitor email and your dashboard until the file is marked complete. Ask your campus financial-aid office how the award will coordinate with FAFSA, other scholarships, and benefits, and request a written estimate of remaining charges. Do not budget funds that have not been awarded.

To compare this benefit with other options, ask financial aid for an estimate separating tuition, fees, housing, and excluded expenses. Confirm whether it renews annually, what GPA or course load it requires, and whom to contact if the student account does not show the payment. Keep award letters and receipts until the school confirms disbursement.

Official program information and application