State ban on scholarship displacement will benefit local students

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The Elk and McKean County Community Foundations are members of PACFA, the Pennsylvania Community Foundation Association. PACFA was instrumental in the passage of the bill to eliminate scholarship displacement in Pennsylvania.

You may have never heard of scholarship displacement, but the Elk County Community Foundation, the McKean County Community Foundation, and our local students have dealt with it for many years. This occurs when colleges and universities reduce a student’s financial aid package by subtracting the scholarship amount when the student receives a private scholarship, such as one from the Community Foundation.

On Friday July 8, Governor Tom Wolf signed into law HB1642, a sprawling public school system bill that includes a ban on scholarship displacement at public colleges and universities. This makes Pennsylvania the fourth state in the country to eliminate the practice of colleges and universities reducing a student’s financial aid package when the student receives a private scholarship.

The ban went into effect immediately and will positively affect awards for this academic year. The fact that a new law or regulation was successful in the first year it was proposed is very unusual. However, once Community Foundations and other scholarship providers showed the legislature what was happening and what scholarship displacement was, representatives were eager to address it right away.

PACFA, the Pennsylvania Community Foundation Association, joined a statewide coalition of scholarship providers to initiate the call for elimination of scholarship displacement in 2018. Paula Fritz Eddy, Community Foundation Executive Director, and PACFA Board Member, explains, “As a community foundation, our duty is to carry out our donors’ intent. When we award a scholarship to a student on behalf of a donor, and the university then reduces that student’s financial aid package, which essentially eliminates the scholarship’s benefit to the student, and defeats our donor’s purpose in awarding the scholarship. We are pleased with the passage of HB1642.”

With over 170 scholarships available from our local Community Foundations to area students in 2023, this bill will make an immediate positive impact within our region. Students can apply now through March 7 for these scholarships by visiting the Elk County Community Foundation and McKean County Community Foundation websites.

The Community Foundation of the Northern Alleghenies is the parent company of the McKean County Community Foundation and the Elk County Community Foundation. For more information, please contact the Community Foundation at 824-834-2125 or 844-238-2289.

WWC Donor for a Day winners award grants to local organizations

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Women Who Care new members recently won the opportunity to award special granting dollars to two local nonprofits. Cly Horning, on left, accepts a $250 grant for the Guardian Angel Center from Sue McDonough, WWC member. Leslie Swope from St. Marys Library, far right, accepts a $250 check from Sharon Barbazenni, WWC member. In second photo: Hailey’s Reading Program at Floyd Fritz Elementary School was chosen to receive a $500 grant from WWC member, Jackie Candalor, far right. Receiving the grant from left, Marcia Raubenstraugh, Avary Nida, and Emmalyn Nida representing Hailey’s Reading Program.

Members of Women Who Care, a project of the Elk County Community Foundation, have the opportunity to qualify each year for the chance to award a special Donor-for-a-Day grant to a nonprofit organization of their choice.

Four lucky members were able to award granting dollars to a favorite organization during the WWC holiday membership drive. Renewing members, Joan Holjencin and Jackie Candalor awarded their $500 winnings to Holy Rosary Parish and Hailey’s Reading Program at Floyd Fretz Elementary School, respectively. New members gave $250 to their charity of choice. Sharon Barbazzeni chose to give her $250 winnings to the St. Marys Public Library, while Sue McDonough presented $250 to the Guardian Angel Center. Women Who Care has given $344,500 to area non-profits since 2010.

Women Who Care brings women from diverse backgrounds together to combine their philanthropic donations and strengthen the Elk County community through the power of collective giving. Close to 225 women make up the membership of Women Who Care. WWC is looking to grow its membership to make an even greater impact in the Elk County area. All area women are encouraged to consider joining WWC. For a minimal donation, you can make a difference for our communities. Find out all about Women Who Care on our website at www.elkcountyfoundation.org.

The Community Foundation is The Elk County Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Community Foundation of the Northern Alleghenies, is a non-profit grant-making organization dedicated to improving the lives of people in our geographic area by working with philanthropic donors to help them meet their charitable goals. For more information, contact the Community Foundation at 814-834-2125.

Scholarship at ECCF honors the memory of Hailey Matheson

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Hailey Mae Matheson of Ridgway will be remembered in a special way through the Hailey Matheson Memorial Scholarship Fund established at the Elk County Community Foundation (ECCF) by her parents, Chris and Ali Matheson. Hailey passed away in 2020 at the young age of eight, surrounded by her loving family at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.

Hailey was a second grader at Francis Grandinetti Elementary School. She was a Girl Scout who also enjoyed horseback riding. She could often be found singing and dancing and touched the lives of anyone she met. With a smile that could light up a room, Hailey was a kind, sweet child who will be remembered for her ability to make anyone’s day brighter. Hailey’s contagious smile and laughter were unforgettable to anyone that knew her and she had the carefree ability to find adventure in the ordinary. A beacon of hope and life will continue to shine, as Hailey gave the gift of life in her final days by being an organ donor.

The Hailey Matheson Memorial Scholarship will award $250 to a graduating senior from any Elk County high school who is a permanent resident in Elk County. The student must be pursuing a post-secondary education, a certificate, or a 2 or 4-year degree. Donations to help build the fund are always welcome. To make a donation go to the Foundation website at www.elkcountyfoundation.org and click on the “Donate Now” button, or call the Foundation.

The Community Foundation is one of 40 statewide partners with PATH (Partners for Access to Higher Education). Students who receive a scholarship award from the Community Foundation may qualify for matching dollars through PHEAA and the PATH program if they attend a PA school. In 2022, 58 students received a total of nearly $75,000 in matching funds through ECCF.

The Elk County Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Community Foundation of the Northern Alleghenies, is a non-profit grant-making organization dedicated to improving the lives of people in our geographic area by working with philanthropic donors to help them meet their charitable goals. For more information, contact the Community Foundation at 814-834-2125.

New scholarship at ECCF honors the memory of John & Bette Wachob

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John and Bette Wachob were life-long Johnsonburg residents and active community members. The Elk County Community Foundation is pleased to announce The John and Betty Wachob Scholarship Fund established in their memory by their family. This scholarship will award $1000 annually to a graduating senior from Johnsonburg Area High School pursuing a teaching, education, or healthcare degree.

John and Bette were both graduates of Johnsonburg Area High School and cared deeply about the school and town they lived in for their entire life. They believed in Johnsonburg and valued the education they, and their family, received in the Johnsonburg Area schools.

Bette worked for many years at the Elk County General Hospital and the St. Mary’s Area School District as the Cafeteria, Food Service Director. She was a member of the Democratic Women, Lady Elks and an avid bingo player.

John was a World War II Army veteran and active with a variety of organizations in town, but most notably, was a founding officer of the Johnsonburg Knothole Association, Johnsonburg Lions Club, and the Biddy Basketball Program and started the Green Hornets grade school basketball team. John was a local businessman, sports enthusiast, and in his retirement years a longtime school bus driver.

Community Foundation is one of 40 statewide partners with PATH (Partners for Access to Higher Education). Students who receive a scholarship award from the Community Foundation may qualify for matching dollars through PHEAA and the PATH program if they attend a PA school. In 2022, 58 students received a total of nearly $75,000 in matching funds through ECCF.

The Elk County Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Community Foundation of the Northern Alleghenies, is a non-profit grant-making organization dedicated to improving the lives of people in our geographic area by working with philanthropic donors to help them meet their charitable goals. For more information, contact the Community Foundation at 814-834-2125.

Students: apply now through March 7 for scholarships

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Students can apply now for scholarships: deadline is March 7

Over 170 scholarship opportunities are available to area students who are attending colleges, universities or vocational schools.Students can apply for the scholarships through the Elk Community Foundation (ECCF) and the McKean County Community Foundation (MCCF), who are both affiliates of the Community Foundation of the Northern Alleghenies. The deadline for the submission of their online applications is March 7. 

Students can access applications on the Foundation websites: www.elkcountyfoundation.org for ECCF and www.mckeancountyfoundation.org for MCCF. Students should go to the “Scholarships/Information for Students” section on the website that gives detailed information on the wide variety of scholarships available. Here they can begin the application process through an online portal. There are opportunities for everyone who is attending a post-secondary education or vocational school, including non-traditional students.

Students will create an account on the online portal where they will take an eligibility quiz that will automatically match them to all the scholarships that are available to them based on the criteria they enter. Each student will then fill out applications online. Students can easily upload letters of reference and transcripts to their applications. Applications can be worked on, saved, and then completed at a later time. Students are able to track the status of each application. The online program will keep applicants on track with their scholarship reporting requirements with automated email reminders and online reporting forms.l

Between Elk and McKean County there have been 15 new scholarship funds added just this year. Donors established these scholarships in memory of, in honor of, or on behalf of groups or individuals who believe in the power of education and want to help local students.

The Community Foundation is one of 40 statewide partners with PATH (Partners for Access to Higher Education). Students who receive a scholarship award from the Community Foundation may qualify for matching dollars through PHEAA and the PATH program if they attend a PA school. In 2022, 58 students received a total of nearly $75,000 in matching funds.

Visit our websites to see what is available. For further details, contact your guidance counselor or the Community Foundation at 814-834-2125 or 1-844-238-2289.