Scholarships

Through the Isaacs, ACT has awarded more than half a million dollars in college scholarships to local high school students.

We are proud to report that in 2025 alone, local high school students received more than $55,500 in college scholarships through the Isaac Awards.

In addition to $12,000 in scholarships sponsored by ACT that are awarded to indidivual Isaac Award winners, three local colleges awarded fifteen additional scholarships to Isaac students for a grand total of $55,500.  The colleges are Penn State Altoona, Mount Aloysius College, and Juniata College.

The colleges listed below are offering scholarships through the Isaacs.  Please read each college’s information closely.

Eligibility

Juniors and seniors are eligible to apply if they were involved in their high school musical program at one of the schools participating in the 2026 Isaacs. Ultimately, each high school’s Teacher/Director will have final say on whether their students are eligible or not. Each college had its own selection process as do the Isaac Awards. As a result, it is possible for an individual to be named for multiple scholarships.

Scholarship applications can be submitted beginning February 1.  The deadline for applications is April 30.

The scholarship winners for previous years are listed in the Isaacs Awards Archives.

Juniata College

Juniata College will award $4,000 scholarships ($1,000/year for four years) to selected eligible candidates who have been offered admission and are planning to enroll at Juniata as a full-time, degree-seeking student.  (In the last two years, Juniata College has awarded 4 scholarships to Isaacs participants.)  To be considered for this scholarship, email Tracie Patrick at patrict@juniata.edu  by April 30.  In your email, please include your full name, high school, and explain in 200-500 words how your participation in theater/musicals has shaped you into the person you are today and the person you will become.

Mount Aloysius College

Mount Aloysius College will award $4,000 scholarships ($1,000 per year for four years) to students attending MAC for any course of study. To be eligible for this scholarship, recipients must actively participate in the Mount Aloysius College Theatre Department. Students are required to take on and maintain an active role in the program each academic semester, which may include performance, technical production, stage management, or other approved theatre-related responsibilities. Continued receipt of the scholarship is contingent upon sustained and meaningful involvement in the Theatre Department, as determined by the director of theatre.

To apply for this scholarship, please click this link. The deadline is April 30. (Over the past two years, MAC has awarded 6 scholarships to Isaacs participants.)

Penn State Altoona

Penn State Altoona will award $2,500 scholarships for your first year to pursue any course of study at the College.  (Over the past two years, 21 students have been awarded and have accepted a Penn State Altoona Isaacs Scholarship.)  To apply for this scholarship, please click this link.  The application deadline is April 30.

Altoona Community Theatre’s Steven C. Helsel Legacy Scholarship

ACT’s Steven C. Helsel $1,000 Legacy Scholarship is open annually to any graduating high school senior entering any field of study at any accredited post-secondary institution who has been actively involved in some capacity with ACT. The student’s experience can be onstage, backstage, or as part of our Summer Drama Camps for Children and Teens.  The student does not have to be attending a participating Isaacs school. Announcement of the recipient will take place during ACT’s Isaac Awards. The recipient does not need to be present to win. To apply, click this link.  The deadline is April 30.