Walsh / Di Tolla / Spivak Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees

Overview

The Richard F. Walsh/Alfred W. Di Tolla/Harold P. Spivak Foundation awards ten scholarships annually to support college-bound students. The program targets dependents of eligible union members and distributes funds over four years to assist with undergraduate expenses. Applications must be mailed; emailed submissions are not accepted. The Foundation enforces firm deadlines and verifies required documentation as part of the selection process.

Description: The Foundation offers an annual scholarship program that provides multi-year support to high school seniors who are children of IATSE members in good standing.

• Ten scholarships awarded each year.
• Applications must be mailed and meet the stated deadlines.
• Program focuses on students pursuing a bachelor's degree.

Eligibility

Eligibility is limited to children of members in good standing of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE). Applicants must be high school seniors at the time of application and must be seeking admission to an accredited college or university as fully matriculated students. Students who have already started college are not eligible. The Foundation requires documentation to confirm the applicant’s status and academic preparation.

Eligibility: Applicants must be the child of an IATSE member in good standing and must be a high school senior applying to an accredited institution for a bachelor’s degree program; prior college enrollment disqualifies applicants.

• Applicant must be a high school senior at time of application.
• Parent or guardian must be an IATSE member in good standing.
• Only first-time college entrants seeking a bachelor’s degree are eligible.

Award Details

Each scholarship winner receives a total award of $10,000, paid in annual installments over four years. Payments are disbursed directly to the recipient’s college or university financial office, with a $2,500 distribution each September. The award is intended to support undergraduate costs and is contingent on the student’s continued enrollment as required by the Foundation. Ten recipients are selected each award cycle.

Award Value: Winners receive $10,000 each, distributed as $2,500 per year for four years and issued directly to the institution’s financial office.

• $10,000 total per recipient, paid over four years.
• $2,500 disbursed annually to the college or university.
• Ten recipients selected each year.

Application

The application must be completed in full and mailed; electronic submissions are not accepted. The primary application must be received or postmarked by the December deadline; ancillary documents may arrive later according to the Foundation’s stated allowances. Required supporting materials include an official high school transcript, letter(s) of recommendation, and a list of extracurricular activities with roles and duties. SAT or ACT scores are optional and must be submitted as printed copies because the Foundation does not accept electronic score reports.

Application Timeline: The application form must be mailed and received or postmarked by the December deadline; ancillary documents may be accepted separately and must meet any additional dates specified by the Foundation (for example, transcripts and recommendations may be sent by a later date).

Procedure: Complete the application in full, submit an official high school transcript with the school seal or stamp, provide letters of recommendation, and include a resume or list of extracurricular activities; optionally attach printed SAT/ACT scores.

• Application form must be mailed and received or postmarked by December.
• Transcripts must bear the school seal or stamp and may be sent by the school or student.
• Recommendations and activity documentation are required; test scores are optional and must be printed copies.

Timeline & Notifications

The Foundation enforces a strict December deadline for the application itself; no exceptions are made. Ancillary documents such as transcripts, recommendation letters, and test scores may be submitted after the December deadline and were noted as acceptable through a specified date in the following spring. Winners are notified by the Foundation Office in late May or June of the following calendar year, and applicants not selected receive email notification in June or July. All deadlines and notification windows are firm and are part of the selection process.

Application Timeline: Application must be received or postmarked by December; ancillary materials may be accepted later (the source cited March 11, 2026 as an example deadline for supporting documents).

• Application received or postmarked by December — no exceptions.
• Supporting documents may have a spring cutoff (example: March 11, 2026).
• Winners notified in late May or June; non-winners notified by email in June or July.

History

The Foundation has a multi-year record of supporting students in pursuit of higher education. Counting the 2025 awards, the Foundation has assisted 140 students through its scholarship program. The program is administered by the Trustees of the Richard F. Walsh/Alfred W. Di Tolla/Harold P. Spivak Foundation and focuses on dependents of IATSE members. Historical performance demonstrates sustained multi-year commitment to undergraduate support.

History of the Award: As of the 2025 award cycle, the Foundation has supported 140 students through its annual scholarships.

• Longstanding annual scholarship program administered by the Foundation Trustees.
• 140 students assisted through 2025.
• Focus remains on children of IATSE members pursuing bachelor’s degrees.