About Our Scholarships

Allegany County Deputy Sheriff’s Association Scholarship

This scholarship was established by the Allegany County Deputy Sheriffs to support students graduating from an Allegany County high school or homeschool. This award is based upon need and merit and preference will go to those planning to work in criminal justice or related fields. This is a spring semester scholarship. Awardees must submit their fall semester college grades for the award to be disbursed for the spring. GPA of 3.00 after the fall semester is required.

Alfred Wood Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship was established by the will of Alfred Wood to assist worthy students graduating this year from Cuba-Rushford Central School. This award is based upon need and recipient must have at least a 2.50 high school GPA and have a record of involvement in athletics, clubs, community service, religious activities or music/arts.

Carl Atwell Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship was established in December 2019 to provide support for a graduating senior from Andover Central School. The recipient will show a record of athletic and community involvement. Applicants must plan to enroll in a four-year college OR university OR a technical training school (leading to a two-year Associate’s degree) or have committed to military service.

Dresser-Rand Scholarship

This scholarship was established by a gift from Dresser-Rand for the benefit of children and close family of current and retired Dresser-Rand Wellsville-based employees. Priority will go to applicants pursuing technical, manufacturing- related, business, human resources, IT, supply chain, accounting, machining tool and welding technology, or drafting/CAD. This scholarship is based upon need and merit. 

Walter F. and Louisa A. Sibley Scholarship

This scholarship was established by the will of Louisa A. Sibley for graduates of the Cuba-Rushford School District. This scholarship is based upon need and merit. Applicants must be a senior in high school or already enrolled in college or graduate school. Applicants must have at least a 2.0 college GPA or at least a 2.0 high school GPA.

Julianne Doyle Bentley Memorial Scholarship

The Julianne Doyle Bentley Memorial Scholarship Fund was established in 2013 for the benefit of a Cuba-Rushford or Wellsville student entering their sophomore, junior, or senior year in college. This award is based upon merit.

Mary A. Bishop Scholarship

This scholarship was established by the will of Mary A. Bishop to provide scholarships to students residing in Allegany County who demonstrate general merit and need. The recipients must attend college full time and have at least a 3.0 high school GPA or a 3.0 College GPA. 

Highway Superintendents Scholarship

This scholarship was established for students pursuing an engineering program at Alfred University or the Heavy Equipment program at Alfred State SUNY College. Applicants with a family member who is employed by a municipal highway department within Allegany County will receive priority. apply.

Dr. Robert G. Hutter Memorial Scholarship

This need-based scholarship was established to provide a student in Allegany County a scholarship for Performing Arts or Finance at Alfred University. 

Mr. Hutter was an attorney, financial advisor, and professor at Alfred University.

Daniel R. McCarthy Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship supports Cattaraugus and Allegany County students pursuing an associate degree in occupational studies and is based on all-around merit and financial need. The applicant must be enrolled full-time at a college in Allegany or Cattaraugus County. Occupational Studies includes Accounting, Business Management, Office Technology, Administrative Medical Assistant, Administrative Assistant, Paralegal, Computer Technology, or similar fields. Students with at least a 2.5 college GPA can apply for a second award. Daniel R. McCarthy was the founder and director of the former Olean Business Institute.

Joseph W. and Inez A. Hupp Scholarship

This scholarship was created by a bequest from Inez A. Hupp to help students graduating from Cuba-Rushford Central School. The applicants must either be a senior in high school or already enrolled in college, and they must plan to attend full time. Recipients may be enrolled in a 2-year, 4-year or graduate level program. This is a need-based award.

Edward Brewster Memorial Scholarship

This fund was established by the will of Pauline Brewster in honor of her husband Edward, a long-time teacher and school administrator, to provide scholarships for Whitesville Central School graduates who exhibit a strong work ethic and financial need. 

Hobart Rhinehart Memorial Scholarship

This award alternates between Allegany County and Cattaraugus County applicants until such time the fund grows large enough to have two $500 awards. The recipient will be high school senior planning for a career in an education or a healthcare related field and show a 2.5 GPA. 

Marion W. Green Commitment to Community Scholarship

This scholarship assists graduates of Scio Central School. Recipients will show financial need and a record of positive school involvement and commitment to community. Recipients will be completing a degree or certificate credential within two years. Number and size of awards: Number of awards varies; up to $5000 and renewable for a second year (for a total of two years). Re-application is required. Upon proof of degree or credential completion, an additional award of $5000 is given to create a permanent investment account in the recipient’s name. This special award requires that recipient must participate in professional financial planning services. 

Wellsville Rotary Club Service Above Self Scholarships

The applicant must be a Wellsville High School senior who is planning to attend a 2 or 4 year college. This award requires a record of extracurricular activities and community service. Three scholarships are awarded each spring.

Kane Family Scholarship

The scholarship is for graduates of Genesee Valley Central School. A high school average of 80/2.7 or college GPA of at least a 2.5 is required. Preference will be given to those pursuing a degree in finance, or education. 

M. Gretchen Probst Scholarship

Longtime Wellsville resident Gretchen Probst created this scholarship to assist current high school seniors or college students from Allegany County who plan to attend college or a trade school full time for training in one of the following fields: electrician, carpentry, masonry, mechanic, plumbing and heating (HVAC), refrigeration, or the BOCES LPN Program. Financial need will be a consideration.

In the event no applicant meets all of the above criteria for this scholarship, preference will be given to an applicant who meets most of the criteria.

The Dennis J. Amore Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship assists graduates of the Friendship Central School. This scholarship will be awarded to a high school senior or a current college student. Applicants must have participated on a high school athletic team and in a community service project within the last twelve months.

Penny’s from Heaven Scholarship

This scholarship, created to memorialize Penny Jo Cavanagh, will assist students from Friendship or Genesee Valley central schools. Recipient will have shown resilience in overcoming challenges.

Beverly Grantier Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship fund will benefit graduates of a high school/homeschool in Allegany County. Preference will be given to those applicants pursuing a nursing program at a two-or four-year college. Applicant community service activities and financial need will also be considered.

Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship

ACAF’s largest and most general scholarship was established by the will of Belva A. Waite for students residing in Allegany County. Applicants are considered on all-around high school performance. This scholarship may be received for up to four years (re-application required).

Mary Lou Canessa Scholarship

This scholarship will be awarded to a Wellsville High School Senior, chosen in consultation with WHS guidance staff, who has significant potential. This award will also be based upon financial need.

General Scholarship

These scholarships will be awarded to students who have attended high school in Allegany County in New York State. The awards will be based upon need and merit. The applicants must have at least a 2.50 high school GPA or at least a 2.50 college GPA. Undergraduate and graduate students are eligible.

The Marie Miller Gleason Scholarship

This fund was established by David Scholes in honor of his mother. The scholarship will benefit a Belfast Central School graduating senior who is in the first generation of his or her family to attend a four- year college and is seeking a degree in a STEM field. The recipient must be a first-generation college student. The award is based upon merit.

Stephen V. Ambroselli Scholar Incentive Award

These merit-based scholarships (two awards annually) will be awarded to Genesee Valley Central School students who will be enrolled full time at St. Bonaventure University. Applicants may be high school seniors or currently enrolled in an SBU bachelor’s degree program. This scholarship may be received one time. If no GVCS graduates are attending SBU, the award may be given to students from other Allegany County schools.

Leonard and Margaret Kelley Scholarship

This scholarship was established by the family of Mr. & Mrs. Kelley as a lasting memorial. Seniors at or graduates of Genesee Valley and Fillmore Central school who are or will be studying at a SUNY college or St. Bonaventure University may benefit from this award. The first scholarship from this new fund was awarded in the fall of 2021.

Sgt. Ian Gregory Bole Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship was established as a memorial by the family of Sgt. Ian Gregory Bole to provide a scholarship for a graduate of the Career and Technical Belmont Center who will be pursue or is pursuing a career in Manufacturing/ Engineering at Alfred State SUNY College of Technology. The applicant must attend college full time.

Lois M. Lilly Scholarship

This scholarship was established by the will of Lois M. Lilly. Preference is given to a Belfast Central School graduate who has at least a 2.50 college GPA or at least a 2.50 high school GPA and who plans to attend college full time. The applicant must be a senior in high school or already enrolled in college.

George and Ella Shear Scholarship

This scholarship was created by Ella Shear to provide scholarships to graduates of Scio Central School, with preference to those pursuing a career in elementary education and enrolled in a bachelor’s or master’s degree program. This is a need and merit-based scholarship.

William F. Farnsworth Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship was established by friends and family of William F. Farnsworth for graduates of Genesee Valley Central School, with preference to students pursuing a career in education. This is a need and merit based scholarship. 

Mr. Farnsworth was a highly regarded and well-liked Allegany County educator.

Non-Traditional Education Scholarship (Fisk Scholarship)

This scholarship was established by Irene Fisk for residents of Allegany County who are seeking to improve their skills. Financial need is considered. You may apply for this scholarship at any time during the year. This scholarship was created for students who are pursuing a certificate rather than a degree. (Examples: LPN, cosmetology, CDL, welding, etc.) The recipients must be a resident of Allegany County. Contact the ACAF office for an application.

The Presutti Family Scholarship

This scholarship assists Genesee Valley Central School graduates. Preference will be given to veterans and those working in public service. Financial need will be considered. Preference will go to applicants studying accounting, human services, political science, public service, social sciences, or a related field.

Karen A. Kunz Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship was established by her family to memorialize Ms. Kunz and support a student studying for degree in business or accounting and who shows financial need. An applicant may reapply for their second year. The applicant must be a graduate of a high school in Allegany County or Hinsdale or Portville central schools. Re-application and a copy of first year grades are required for renewal. 

Lyn VanTassel Scholarship

Forty and Eight Scholarship

John C. Robertson and Flora S. Whiteman Memorial Scholarship

Established through the will of Flora Whiteman, this scholarship will help a Cuba-Rushford graduate. Only college sophomores, juniors and seniors shall be eligible for this award. Preference shall be given to those studying conservation, ecology, and similar fields. Scholastic achievement and need shall be considered. 

Betty Embser Wattenberg Community Service Scholarship

This scholarship was established for the benefit of a Wellsville High School student. The recipient must be a graduate of the Wellsville High School with preference given to a student entering their first year of college. The recipient must plan on becoming a social worker or pursuing a career in a mental health, community service or allied health related field. An additional application essay of around 500 words is required. ACAF staff will identify applicants pursuing the matching college programs and contact them with essay information.

Ann Swift Memorial Nursing Scholarship

The recipient must be a graduate of the Cuba-Rushford Central School and plan to enroll in an accredited LVN/LPN or RN or BSN Degree Program. The recipient must have good character, and a good likelihood of success in a college nursing program.

Celeste M. Wuersig Scholarship

The family of Celeste Wuersig has established a scholarship in her memory with the Allegany County Area Foundation (ACAF). The Belfast native and long-time Cuba resident passed away on March 6, 2022.

In 1965, Celeste fell in love with the man who would become her husband of 55 years, Klaus Wuersig, originally of Görlitz, Germany. To learn Klaus’s native German, Celeste first learned alongside their young children, then started taking language courses at Houghton College. Eventually she completed her coursework in advanced literature and graduated with honors with a double major in German and French. She continued connecting with people from all over the world and took additional classes and independent study in several languages. The Celeste M. Wuersig Scholarship will support a student who demonstrates an interest in languages through college study and career aspirations. 

Leslie Newland Thomas Memorial Scholarship

The Leslie Newland Thomas Memorial Scholarship has been established by the family and friends of Leslie Newland Thomas, who passed away in 2006. This award will benefit the students who attend the Wellsville High school. Preference will be given to those who are pursuing a degree in Music Education or teaching; have a commitment to the community and helping those in need through volunteerism; and those who are involved in music activities within their school and/or community.

Leslie Newland Thomas Memorial Scholarship