Education
Loans
Interest-free education loans are awarded to financially qualifying students who are pursuing higher education, including post-high school vocational training programs, are under 21 years of age, and are Ontario County residents. (It is not necessary to be attending college in the county or even in New York State.) Loan money may be applied to tuition costs, books, lab equipment, etc.
Funds may also be available to school-aged students encountering vocational program expenses for required tools, equipment, or manuals, or other unexpected educational expenses.
Higher Education
The Ontario Children’s Foundation offers Interest-Free Loans to students who wish to pursue a degree in higher education.
Education Grants
OCF offers grants for unexpected educational expenses and supplies.
Vocational Loans
Ontario Children’s Foundation also offers Interest-Free Loans to students attending vocational training programs.
Members of the Committee
Lisa Carey
Chair
Bonnie Cazer
Delia Ackerman
Nancy Finkle
Kristine Guererri
Cassandra Heacock
Gail Kass-Smith
Susan McGowan
Cathy VanVechten
Requests for assistance are typically received from school personnel and/or other agencies.
Please contact your child’s school counselor, nurse, school administrator, or case manager for further information.
Loan Eligibility
The Education Committee serves individuals who are Ontario County residents who wish to attend a higher education institution. Students applying must demonstrate financial need and be under 21 years of age. Students must complete the application process and submit all necessary financial documentation. For answers to any questions, please contact Lisa Carey at lcarey4500@gmail.com
Application Process
Each spring, the window to apply for loans is April 1st - May 31st, all applicants (those filing new loan applications, as well as those reapplying) must complete the online application and submit transcripts and a letter of recommendation from a guidance counselor (when applicable). Once the application is complete, the applicant will be contacted for an application review and interview with one of the volunteer committee members.
Approval & Distribution of Funds
In June, the Education Committee meets to determine loan approvals, after which time students will be contacted with approval notices and the amounts awarded. All funds will be disbursed in July and checks are made payable to their educational institution, no exceptions.
Repayment
When repayments are received, all funds are paid forward in the form of new loans to students in need. Loan recipients should contact Lisa Carey at lcarey4500@gmail.com to discuss their loan repayment schedule. Forms of repayment accepted are personal bank checks and money orders.
Online Banking with Bill Pay can be created with Ontario Children’s Foundation as the payee, using the student’s last name and first initial as an account number, and set up as “recurring payment”. The payee address is:
Ontario Children’s Foundation
PO Box 82
Canandaigua, NY 14424
A final option is if the applicant is a Canandaigua National Bank customer, an online recurring payment account can be created to automatically transfer funds from the applicant to OCF.
Loan Application Forms
First Time
Applicants
Returning
Applicants
Counselor Recommendation
What People Are Saying
“Thanks to the Ontario County Children’s Fund, I was able to make the financial transition into college much easier!”
“Thank you for your generosity in funding the interest-free loan. I am extremely honored to be this year’s recipient of the award.”
“Thank you for considering to make an interest-free loan available to me again. It does help tremendously.”
“I wanted to take this time to tell you how much I appreciate the scholarship that you have given me and how much it helps. It is an amazing thing that you are doing and I know that I, for one, am so grateful!”
Help Us Help Children
Begun during the Civil War, Ontario Children’s Foundation remains an effective and viable assistance program today, in part due to generous donors. Please, if you can, Help Us Help Children!