It is no secret that college is expensive. Leaving tuition out of the equation, there are still many costs associated with room and board, supplies, and even books. Most college students already know this and are always seeking new ways to help pay for these many compounding expenses. While maybe not the solution to all your financial aid issues, the Community Foundation college scholarship process can certainly go a long way in providing some assistance. The time to apply for this assistance is now, as the deadline for college scholarship applications is July 15, 2007.    

 

To be eligible for a college scholarship from the Community Foundation, students must be enrolled in an accredited college or university and must be a graduate of a Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, or Allegany County high school. It should also be noted that both undergraduate and graduate students are eligible to apply. The application process, itself, is very easy. Simply fill out a written application and college financial aid form and submit them to CRCF. Also, make sure you contact your college so it can submit transcript paperwork to CRCF. Once these two steps are completed, you simply wait to hear if you have received an award. 

 

There are a couple of ways to obtain the necessary paperwork for application of a college scholarship. The first, and easiest way, is to access the Foundation’s website at www.crcfonline.org. At the left-hand menu, click on “Scholarships,” and you will find everything from a timeline of the process to instructions for application to the actual downloadable forms themselves. If you do not have access to a computer, all the application forms can just as easily be acquired at the Community Foundation office, at 418 Spring Street, Jamestown. Finally, you can also call 661-3390, and the Foundation staff would be happy to mail you the proper forms.  

 

It should be noted that just because you apply for a college scholarship does not necessarily mean you will receive an award. However, the Community Foundation has prided itself on providing as much assistance as possible to as many students as possible over its 29-year history. Last year alone, CRCF awarded scholarships to nearly 80% of the over 1,000 students that applied for scholarship assistance. The total amount of this assistance was over $600,000, and this number is expected to increase this year, so be sure to take advantage of this great opportunity. 

 

As college expenses continue to grow, so will the need for financial assistance. Hopefully, the Community Foundation’s college scholarship process can help ease some of those financial pressures. Before it can help you, remember that you need to apply. Be sure to do so before the deadline of July 15, 2007. Also, do not forget that you can call 661-3390 with any questions you might have along the way. Every year, the Community Foundation looks forward to helping area students with all their needs, and there is no greater need than a little financial assistance.