A New Way to Apply for ACAF Scholarships

ACAF has moved to a new scholarship application platform for the 2027–2028 academic year. After many years using Scholarship America’s Dollars for Scholars platform, scholarship applications will now be completed directly through ACAF’s new system.


The new platform is designed to make applying for ACAF scholarships more accessible and user friendly. Students will still complete one application to be considered for multiple scholarship opportunities based on their education, experiences, and future plans.

Returning Applicants: You will need to create a new account

If you have applied for an ACAF scholarship through Dollars for Scholars in the past, your previous account will not transfer to the new platform. All applicants — including previous recipients — must create a new account before beginning their 2027–2028 application.


Your previous scholarship history with ACAF is not affected by this change. Returning students are encouraged to apply again each year as they continue their education.

2026 ACAF Scholarship Application

The Fall 2026 application (for the 2027-2028 Academic Year) for Allegany County Area Foundation's Scholarship Program will be live on November 1, 2026. The deadline for application submission will be February 5, 2027.


New and returning applicants can create an account and apply through ACAF’s new Scholarship Platform.

Same ACAF scholarships. A new, easier way to apply.

If you have questions about the process, please contact ACAF. We are glad to help. Call 585-296-5616 or email director@acafny.org.


If you have feedback about the functionality of the scholarship application, please email Alyssa Bump, ACAF's Communications Fellow, at alyssabump@acafny.org.

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Scholarship Application Review

While most scholarships have donor-established criteria, such as the high school you attend(ed) or your career goals, scholarship applications are evaluated based on the following: Academic Performance (that is, your grades), Extracurricular Activities, Work Experience, Essays (do put some time into these), Recommendations, and Special Circumstances.


We do not look at SAT/ACT scores. Our scholarships are reviewed “blind,” which means all identifying student information (i.e. name, address, contact information, etc.) is omitted from our Scholarship Committee. Our application system removes identifying information so that the scholarship review team (a group of volunteers from all over Allegany County) does not know who submitted the application.

Repeat Applicants

With our new Scholarship Platform being rolled out, ALL applicants (new and returning) must create a new account to apply for scholarships on scholarships.acafny.org.


After you create this account, you will be able to return to the same platform to renew your application annually for the opportunity to receive scholarship funds through your years of study. ACAF is proud to support students as they continue their education. Our scholarships can support students pursuing trade/technical, associate, bachelor, master, and doctoral programs.

Potential applicants

Please do not wait until the deadline approaches to begin your application. Your guidance office will need time to submit your transcript to complete your application. Plus, ACAF staff checks applications and contacts students with updates and reminders. If you apply last minute, you may miss out on that assistance.


If you have any questions, please call 585-296-5616 or email director@acafny.org.

Scholarship Recipients:

Recipients will receive their check in mid-summer, sent to your home address with the check co-payable to you and your college/university. It will arrive with a letter of instruction for you to give to the college. Please leave this section of the letter with the check for the Financial Aid Office's information!


Your college should divide your scholarship award evenly across your expected academic terms (semester, trimester, or quarter) for 2026-2027.

Financial Aid Offices:

This scholarship is for non-tuition expenses, and should be applied as follows:


  1. Books, student fees, course fees, supplies, technology, and equipment that are required but not included as part of tuition.
  2. Supplies, and other non-tuition expenses related to students’ education.


It is our expectation that colleges will not use the ACAF scholarship to displace or offset any other scholarships or grants that are forthcoming or already awarded to you.

  • Does receiving or not receiving an award mean I always will or won’t in the future?

    Applications are reviewed anew each year, and we have very few awards that renew automatically. So, if you have received one definitely reapply; if not – still reapply, at least once more. There is no cost to apply. By the way, when you reapply, please update your essays, at least the goals one, to reflect your current thinking.

  • What should I have with me when I start the application?

    You’ll really benefit from having a copy of your current high school transcript (grades 9 and up) on hand, get that from your guidance office, and the info from your parents FAFSA if they have that (but you can start without this). Having the name and contact information for your school counselor and your parents email address will also prove helpful.

  • Is it true that some colleges will match an ACAF/Dollars for Scholars award?

    Yes, and we continue to work on this. Dollars for Scholars/scholarship America ended its Collegiate Partners program in September 2022. Since then, ACAF has contacted former matching schools, and other colleges frequently attended by our scholarship recipients, to see if they will set up matches for ACAF scholarships. So far, Elmira and Houghton colleges, St. Bonaventure University, and Roberts Wesleyan have generously agreed to partial matching grants. We expect more schools will. Please check back for updates.

  • Can I receive a scholarship if I am already in college? How about grad school?

    Yes, this last May around 40% of our awards were made to current college students. We had a few grad students in the mix, too, including two in medical school.

  • Can students pursuing trades or vocations receive scholarships?

    Yes, we are glad to report. In fact, recent years have seen an increase in scholarships awarded for vocational study, and greater donor interest in supporting these career goals.

  • Any other tips?

    Yes – please start the app early – as in over one of the November/December school breaks. Call ACAF at 585-296-5616 or email director@acafny.org if you have questions. We’re very helpful!

Scholarship FAQs

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