The Community Foundation of Elmira-Corning and the Finger Lakes Scholarships
The Community Foundation of Elmira-Corning and the Finger Lakes is an independent, private, nonprofit organization serving Upstate New York or Northern Pennsylvania. They are dedicated to the improvement of their community. They are supported by private and public donors and seek contributions primarily from the community they serve.
Using money they have collected, they offer scholarships to students to further their education. Although the bulk of the scholarships are offered to high school seniors, some funds may be available for advanced study.
The funds held by the foundation come from individuals, families, companies, and nonprofit groups. The funds are often established to memorialize or honor an individual and the guideline for each scholarship is different. Therefore, you should read them carefully to see if you qualify.
Below is a list of scholarships currently available:
A Hope 4 Lyme Scholarship
Amount: 2 at $500 each. One for a high school senior and one for a non-traditional student.
You must be a resident of Broome, Chemung, Schuyler, Steuben, Tioga, Tompkins, Bradford, Lycoming, or Potter counties.
Only candidates from one of the following groups are eligible:
• Anyone that has been diagnosed or treated for Lyme Disease
• Anyone that has been affected by Lyme thru the illness of an immediate family member
• Anyone that is pursuing a career in the medical field
Preference will be given to those that are affected by Lyme disease.
Alice E. Campbell Scholarship
Amount: Varies
• Awarded to an individual who is a graduating senior of Athens Area High School or Sayre High School.
• Applicants must be of good moral character as evidenced from the high school Principal.
• Applicant must demonstrate financial need.
American Association of University Women Scholarship
Amount $550
The American Association of University Women (AAUW) Scholarship is awarded to a woman who has demonstrated a commitment to excellence in the areas of scholastic ability, character, and extracurricular/community involvement. Degree of financial need will also be considered.
Only candidates from one of the following groups are eligible:
• Female seniors from high schools in the Corning-Painted Post, Addison, and Campbell-Savona school districts that plan to begin their freshman year at a four-year college or university.
• Sophomore women seeking degrees at Corning Community College who are planning to enter their junior year at a four-year college or university.
• Adult women whose education has been interrupted for various reasons and who are attempting to complete a four-year degree by entering or re-entering a four-year college or university.
Ann Baldwin Dedrick Memorial Scholarship
Amount $500
• Horseheads High School senior
• Top 5% of class
• Preference to elementary education.
• Demonstrate financial need.
Bertram L. Newman Memorial Scholarship
Amount $1000
• Graduating high school senior and Resident of Chemung County
• Good scholastic record, but not necessarily the highest average grades
• Financial need.
Betty O’Connor Memorial/Youth Bowling
Amount $400
• Sanctioned Elmira Youth Bowler.
• Accepted or currently attending any accredited college, university, or vocational school in the U.S. or Canada.
• Submit an essay (What Youth Bowling Means to Me)
• Submission/verification of one league official data sheet.
Brooke Makowiec Memorial Scholarship
Amount $2000
• The Brooke Makowiec Memorial Scholarship is awarded to a student graduating from Addison Central School that plans on attending a 2 or 4 year college or technical school.
• Demonstrate school spirit, be involved in athletics, have good sportsmanship and be a team player, be positive and outgoing, enthusiastic, and have an overall average of 80 or above.
Burdette Gleason Memorial Scholarship
Amount $2500
This scholarship will be awarded to a graduating senior of Corning East or Corning West high schools.
Candidates will be recommended by a high school faculty member based on the students’ integrity, hard work and commitment to their community.
Criteria for Award:
• Ranks in the top 20% of his/her class according to weighted criteria
• Has demonstrated a commitment to his/her community through public service as a volunteer
• Has demonstrated leadership as an officer in at least two of the following areas:
· Student Government
· National Honor Society
· Editor of the school yearbook, newspaper, etc.
· Captain of a varsity team sport
· Member of the school orchestra, band or other school club
Carolyn Matthews Memorial Scholarship
Amount $1000
The Carolyn Matthews Memorial Scholarship is a scholarship awarded to a student based on his or her involvement with school and community service activities, character and academic record.
• Students must be nominated by school guidance counselors from the Twin Tiers with letter included with application– ONE NOMINEE PER SCHOOL.
• Nominees should be students who might not be the top scholar in the senior class but who have made a difference in their school, family and community.
The Caton Scholarship Fund
Amount $1750
• Be a hard working and diligent high school senior.
• Fill out the Community Foundation of Elmira-Corning and the Finger Lakes, Inc. general application form and answer yes to the Town of Catonquestion.
• Financial need will be strongly considered by the Foundation's scholarship committee.
Chemung Canal Trust Company Scholarship
Amount $8000
• Evidence of outstanding citizenship and leadership ability.
• Evidence of a strong desire for a college education.
• CCTC Employees and immediate family members are eligible.
• Demonstrate financial need.
• Not necessarily highest grades.
• The high school senior must be graduating from a high school in a community where a Chemung Canal Trust Company is located.
Clifton and Priscilla Smith Scholarship
Amount 2 at $3000 each
The Clifton and Pricilla Smith Scholarship is awarded to a graduating senior from the Corning-Painted Post or Hammondsport Central School District who plans to attend a college or university full-time in the fall.
• Demonstrate a willingness to work hard and be considered a reliable community member and diligent student with passing grades.
• Emphasis will be placed on need, ability to overcome adversity and personal references; an essay is also required.
Corning Area Chamber Of Commerce Scholarship
Amount: $500
The scholarship is available to a high school senior who is seeking to complete a degree at a school in the State of New York.
• The student must be affiliated in some way with a Corning Area Chamber of Commerce Member, reside in the Corning Area Chamber of Commerce geographical area (Steuben, Schuyler, Chemung, Broome, Yates, Tompkins, Onondaga and Monroe counties), and have demonstrated 25 hours of community service in the last 12 months.
• The student must also provide 3 references.
Daniel Dobson Memorial Scholarship
Amount $1950
• Employees of Cameron Manufacturing and their family members.
• Posses the desire, dedication, and interest in education.
• Fields of engineering and the sciences.
• Demonstrate financial need.
Daniel Driscoll Scholarship
Amount $1000
The Daniel A. Driscoll Scholarship is awarded to an individual who plans to pursue a career in photography. This is a $1,000 award given to a high school senior or college/trade school student.
The candidate must meet the following criteria:
• Must be a Chemung County resident
• Must be planning on studying photography in a college or trade school
Danny VanTassel Memorial Scholarship
Amount $400
• Awarded to a graduating senior who is a resident of the Town or Village of Chemung.
• The recipient of this award must have a strong work ethic and be persistent.
Doris Prechtl Memorial Scholarship
Amount: $1100
The scholarship shall be awarded to a graduating senior from Elmira Free Academy, Elmira, New York, that plans on attending a 2 or 4 year college or technical school.
• Demonstrate a love of learning and have a genuine curiosity about life
• Be hardworking
• Have financial need
• Not necessarily have the highest grades
E. Leonard Anderson Scholarship
Amount: $2500
This scholarship is awarded to a graduating senior from Corning-Painted Post East High or Corning-Painted Post West High School. Recipients must show intent or significant prospective interest in studying Mechanical Engineering in college. Candidates should be undertaking a rigorous academic program and have earned a place in the top fifteen percent (15%) of their graduating class with a high level of accomplishment in mathematics and physics, interest in social studies, and significant participation in school activities.
Elizabeth Amisano Ovarian Cancer Education Fund Award
Amount 2 at $1500 each
The Elizabeth Amisano Ovarian Cancer Scholarship is a one-year award given to two students, male or female, who reside and attend school or are home-schooled in Schuyler County.
• A “C” or above scholastic record
• Evidence of good citizenship
• Evidence of a firm desire for further education.
• Demonstrated belief in the good in all people
• Evidence of a sense of humor
Ernie Davis Scholarship
Amount $12000
The Ernie Davis Scholarship is a scholarship awarded to a high school senior who exhibits qualities of integrity, leadership, courage and humility, which were exemplified by Ernie Davis during his life. The student must be a resident of Chemung or Steuben County and have graduated from an accredited high school in Chemung County, or be a graduate of a public high school in Corning, New York.
• The principal of the seven high schools located in Chemung County and Corning, New York may nominate up to five applicants to the Ernie Davis Scholarship Committee.
• In addition to the traditional scholarship application, references, and financial information, nominees will be required to develop creative projects that “spread the word” about Ernie Davis and his tremendous contributions to the Southern Tier.
In addition, the committee will award a Marty Harrigan Scholarship to a nominee who effectively “spreads the word.” Nominees are required to attend one of the two meetings to learn more about this component and the overall application process.
Evans Roofing Company
Amount $3850
• Priority to employees and their immediate families and its subsidiaries. High School Senior or College student.
• Not necessarily highest GPA or rank
• Two or four year institution.
• One-year award.
George Douglas/LPGA Corning Classic Scholarship
Amount $4650
• High School Senior in Counties: Chemung, Steuben, Schyuler, Tioga, Tompkins, AlleganyNY, & Bradford,PA
• A four-year college, but will consider a two-year with the intent of transferring.
• Demonstrated an appreciation of the benefits of post high school education.
• A scholastic record to reasonably predict completion of a four-year college education.
• Diligent student, a good, responsible and concerned citizen.
• Demonstrate financial need.
Harriet I. Wixon Memorial Scholarship
Amount $4000
• Chemung County resident and high school.
• Seniors should have good scholastic record but not necessarily the highest average grades or be in the highest percentile in the class.
• Exhibit citizenship and leadership ability.
• Attend a four-year college program and demonstrate financial need.
Harvey & Celia Hutchinson Scholarship
Amount $3000
• Chemung County resident and high school.
• Be a diligent high school senior and a good, responsible and concerned citizen of their high school.
• Financial need will be strongly considered.
Helen G. Schuyler Scholarship
Amount $16000
The Helen G. Schuyler Scholarship is awarded to a student graduating or who has graduated from a Steuben County high school that plans to study fine or decorative art at the collegiate level.
For the purposes of this award, fine art is defined as all visual art endeavors including painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, and originally created computer-generated imagery. Decorative art studies include, but are not limited to textiles, interior design, tapestry, pottery, and glassmaking.
Selection Process
A panel of three local artists and/or art educators will evaluate each portfolio according to the following criteria:
Work may be created both within and outside the classroom. The judges will look for originality, skill and technique and evidence of an emerging personal/artistic vision and style.
Originality
In all genres, judges will look for works that reveal an original approach to process, conception and subject matter. Exploration with materials, techniques, and/or themes, should reflect the input of the student in the creative process. Demonstration of investment of thought and decision-making should be evident.
Skill and Technique
A certain level of technical proficiency will be expected. This level will be determined by the medium and by the quality of the overall group of work submitted for adjudication. Judges will look for technical competencies as required to successfully execute a work in a particular medium. In addition, the judges will look for inventive application of techniques and will be sensitive to works which demonstrate the artist's willingness to take risks and to experiment with materials, form and content.
Personal/Artistic Vision and Style
Judges will look for evidence of the emergence of an individual's artistic vision or style and the visual expression of tone, form, critical thinking and conception.
Horseheads Student Aid Association Scholarship
Amount $2500 for one male and one female
• Graduating senior from Horseheads High School
• Demonstrate desire, interest and financial need
• Accepted at 2 or 4 year college
James A. Munday Scholarship
Amount $2500
• Graduating senior from Corning-Painted Post East or West High Schools
• Demonstrate the highest standard of character through personal integrity and community service
• Accepted at 4 year college
• Top 15% of their graduating class
• Experience in a leadership role in at least two of the following areas: National Honor Society, student government, service clubs, school publication editor, varsity sport, drum major for marching band or similar role in school orchestra, performing arts including but not limited to music, dance or theater, community service activities.
• A strong sense of patriotism, as demonstrated by a commitment to civic responsibility such as voting and participation in community affairs.
Joseph C. Crupi Memorial Award
Amount $500
The Joseph C. Crupi Memorial Award will be granted to a Horseheads High School junior, senior, or recent graduate who seeks an education in the Fine Arts. While a preference will be given to those majoring in Music Education, Music Performance, or Music Theatre at a four-year academic institution, the award is also intended to assist a recipient in enriching their study of the arts through participation in an intensive summer experience or performance-abroad program.
• Good Academic Standing
• Evidence of a strong work ethic
• A passion for music and a desire to share that passion with others
• Evidence of involvement in extra-curricular activities including community service, athletics, volunteerism, church service, and other leadership endeavors
• Commitment to excellence
Kurt and Ellen Wohl Scholarship
Amount $7600 (may be divided among more than one recipient)
• 25 years or older
• 6 credit hours per semester
• Educational institution must be within 55 miles of Elmira including:
ElmiraCollege, CCC, EBI, Keuka College, Arnot Ogden, Binghamton Univ.
• Resident of Chemung County for more than 2 years
• Household income guidelines (included with application)
• May renew.
• Preference will be given to a student pursuing Early Childhood Education and/or certification.
LaLuz Childhood Teacher Education Scholarship
Amount $4000 (may be divided among more than one recipient)
This scholarship shall be used to assist adults students attain an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or to obtain a New York State Director’s Credential. Preference shall be given to those applicants who are employees of the Child Care Center at Christ Church, Corning, New York. Financial need will be strongly considered.
Margaret A. Drake Scholarship
Amount $4350
This scholarship shall be awarded to a graduating senior from a high school located on the south side of Elmira, New York who plans on attending a four-year college.
• B or C average and demonstrates diligence in academic efforts
• A focused desire to achieve
• Compassion & friendliness
• Positive outlook and sense of humor.
Margaret O’Brien Dunphy Scholarship
Amount $2500
The Margaret O’Brien Dunphy Scholarship is awarded to a student graduating from Corning-Painted Post East or West High Schools or Notre Dame High School in Elmira, New York that lives in the Corning-Painted Post School District. Only students planning to attend a four year college will be considered.
• Demonstrate a concern for others, determination, strength of character, ability to overcome personal obstacles, leadership skills, commitment to community & extracurricular activities.
• Superior scholastic performance.
Mike McMahon Scholarship for Engineering Excellence
Amount 2 at $5000
The Mike McMahon Scholarship is awarded to one graduating senior from Corning East and one from Corning West High School who plans on attending a college or university located in New York State. The recipient of this award must be pursuing studies weighted in math and/or science, or entering an engineering program.
The candidate must meet the following criteria:
• Non-academic activities will be considered
• Good academic standing, but not necessarily the highest average grades - rather a student that strives to achieve his or her best at all times
• Financial need
Mikkelsen Memorial Scholarship
Amount $8000
• Preference to children of employees, retirees, or deceased of Zeiser Wilbert Vault, Inc.
• Chemung County high school graduate accepted at a four-year institution.
• Good academics and work ethics.
• Demonstrate financial need.
Paul McGuire Memorial Scholarship
Amount $400
This scholarship shall be awarded to a graduating senior from Chemung or Steuben counties that plan on attending an institution of higher learning.
• Strong work ethic
• Concern for others
• Financial need will be strongly considered
Polly Sanders Educational Fund
Amount $500
This scholarship will be given to a student at BOCES that plans on attending college or a trade school. Must be a Chemung County resident.
Richard Peer Journalism Award
Amount $100
This award shall be given to a graduating senior from Corning East or Corning West that is a member of the marching band, the school newspaper or yearbook, and/or the Corning Community Band. Preference will be given to someone who is a member of all three.
Robert E. Cole Scholarship
Amount $2500
This scholarship will be awarded to a graduating senior of Corning Painted Post High School or Notre Dame High School in Elmira, NY to attend an institution of higher learning with the intention of earning a degree in the health sciences, particularly medicine, nursing or physician’s assistant.
Criteria for Award:
• Ranks in the top 15% of his/her class and show evidence of extracurricular activities
• Candidate must demonstrate high standards of character and show personal involvement in community service. A minimum of three recommendations which speak to these efforts should be included.
• Candidate should be involved in an academic program in high school which can be reasonably expected to lead to further studies in the heath care sciences.
Robert and Sharon Petrillose Memorial Scholarship
Amount $1000
This scholarship is to recognize a graduation student from Elmira, Corning or the Finger Lakes area of New York accepted to Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration. The student shall be selected based upon academic achievement, work ethic and interest in food and beverage industry. In the event that no local students have been accepted into Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration, the selection committee can choose a local student accepted to Cornell University.
Rodney F. Faught Memorial Scholarship
Amount $300
For a physically handicapped senior high school student that must be from a Chemung County high schooland plan to attend a two or four-year college or university.
• Demonstrate qualities of excellence and determination in pursuit of their academic and career goals.
• Good scholastic record but not necessarily the highest average grades
• Citizenship and leadership
Stuart Komer Family Student Aid Award
Amount $2000 (may be divided among more than one recipient)
Student must be a resident of Chemung County and a graduate from a Chemung County high school.
• Academic record not the most important qualification reviewed.
• Weight will be given to desire, effort and work ethic, as it applies to both academic and non-academic endeavors, community involvement and financial need
• The candidate must a least have 6 credit hours/semester and attend a two or four-year school or accredited graduate program
The Jerome F. & Elizabeth Foreman Rich Family Scholarship
In memory of Joseph R. Rich
Amount $1200
In memory of their son Joseph Robert Rich, a scholarship will be awarded to one Horseheads High School or Corning-Painted Post School District college-bound senior interested in pursuing a career in Labor Relations/Human Resources, *Business, Economics and/or who possesses evidence of a strong entrepreneurial spirit. Students planning any type of career in the business world are eligible to apply.
• A typed essay describing your interest in Labor Relations, Human Resources, Business, Economics or Entrepreneurship.
• A reference letter
• Students must have a minimum GPA of 90%. Please include a copy of your transcript that includes GPA scores.
• Demonstrated involvement in extracurricular activities and/or employment
Tuffee J. Yunis Scholarship
Amount $3750
The Tuffee J. Yunis Scholarship is awarded to an Elmira City or Elmira Heights Public School district graduating senior who plans to attend a two or a four-year college.
• Demonstrate strong work ethic, community involvement, and financial need.
• A solid scholastic record is required, but may not necessarily possess the highest average grades.
• Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.
Twin Tiers Youth for Christ Scholarship
Amount $4000
The candidate must be a Christian who lives in Chemung County or an adjacent county and has been a resident for at least six months. The student must be enrolled or will be enrolled in an accredited four-year college or university and must obtain a recommendation from a pastor of a “Christian Church”. Candidate must complete the Twin Tiers Youth for Christ Scholarship Application.
West Elmira Fire Department Scholarship
Amount $500
• Fire District #1 resident.
• Preference to members and dependents of active or inactive members.
• Must be seeking an Associates or Bachelor Degree.
• Demonstrate financial need, good grades, citizenship, and community and school activities.
William M. Cooper Scholarship
Amount $5100
• Chemung County resident and high school.
• High school senior accepted at a four year college
• Benefited from extra curricular activities including, community service, group or civic participation, athletics artistic, volunteerism or other endeavors.
• Demonstrate financial need.
• Not necessarily highest grades, but GPA and SAT will be considered.
