Our Annual Scholarship Competition for 2023-2024 School Year is Now Open!

Eligible SAG-AFTRA members and their dependents can apply.

About the John L. Dales and George Heller Scholarship Funds

The SAG-AFTRA Foundation John L. Dales Scholarship Fund was created in 1973 in honor of the legacy Screen Actors Guild (SAG) longtime Executive Secretary. Since its creation, the John L. Dales Scholarship Fund has awarded more than $9.2 million in scholarships to more than 2,400 SAG-AFTRA members and their dependents.

The SAG-AFTRA Foundation George Heller Memorial Scholarship Fund was created in 1967 in honor of George Heller, one of American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) founders. Since its creation, the George Heller Memorial Scholarship Fund has awarded hundreds of scholarships to members and their dependents.

Scholarships are granted for study at accredited and licensed universities, colleges, junior colleges, adult specialty schools and trade/vocational schools. The number and amount awarded are determined annually by a committee of the SAG-AFTRA Foundation.

The SAG-AFTRA Foundation Scholarships are available for eligible SAG-AFTRA members and their dependents and made possible through gifts, grants and sponsorships.

The Application

Eligibility

John L. Dales Scholarship Applicants must first meet the following eligibility requirements:

  • Members must be current with SAG-AFTRA dues 
  • Terminated, Suspended and FICORE Members and their dependents are ineligible 
  • Member/Parent must be in good standing for 10 years with minimum SAG-AFTRA lifetime earnings of $225,000
  • Member Applicants under 27 years of age must be SAG-AFTRA member for at least 5 years with minimum SAG-AFTRA lifetime earnings of $40,000
  • Dependent Applicants of Deceased or Honorable Withdrawal Members are eligible if parent was a member for at least 10 years with minimum SAG-AFTRA lifetime earnings of $225,000 
  • Dependent Applicants 27 and older are ineligible 
  • Scholarships are available to members over the age of 27 transitioning out of a performance career into another career

George Heller Scholarship Applicants must first meet the following eligibility requirements:

  • Members must be current with SAG-AFTRA dues 
  • Terminated, Suspended and FICORE Members and their dependents are ineligible
  • Member/Parent must be in good standing for at least 5 years with minimum SAG-AFTRA lifetime earnings of $50,000 
  • Member Applicants under 27 years of age must be in good standing for at least 5 years with minimum SAG-AFTRA lifetime earnings of $10,000 
  • Dependent Applicants of Deceased or Honorable Withdrawal Members are eligible if parent was a member for at least 5 years with minimum SAG-AFTRA lifetime earnings of $50,000  
  • Dependent Applicants 27 and older are ineligible 
  • Scholarships are available to members over the age of 27 transitioning out of a performance career into another career  

How Many Scholarships Can an Applicant Apply For?

Recipients may receive one grant per year and a total of four (4) John L. Dales Standard Scholarships in a lifetime.

Recipients may receive a total of one (1) George Heller Memorial Standard or Transitional Scholarships in a lifetime.

SAG-AFTRA Foundation board members, employees, families and relatives are not eligible to apply. 

How to Apply

Please note: Scholarship applications on this site require that you create an account in addition and separate from your Foundation Member Account.  

This year, the SAG-AFTRA Foundation will be partnering with the scholarship and grant management software firm, Kaleidoscope, which will be assisting in processing all Foundation scholarship applications. Kaleidoscope is a trusted source for several Fortune 500 companies, who also use their services, and has the highest security systems in place. The Foundation’s Scholarship Committee and staff will be working closely with them throughout the annual grant cycle.

Over the course of the next six months, members who apply will periodically receive email notices from Kaleidoscope to include: eligibility acknowledgement, application links, requests for additional information, and any final grant determinations and award notices. Please expect emails from Kaleidoscope and check all junk and spam boxes regularly.

The Application Process - What to Do

  1. Open a Scholarship Account 
  2. Complete the Scholarship Eligibility Form in the portal 
  3. Once your eligibility has been confirmed, you will receive an additional email with a separate application form.
  4. Application must be complete and all required documents must be submitted by May 31, 2023. No extensions or exceptions.
BEGIN THE APPLICATION HERE

The Grant Process - What to Expect

  1. Grantees will be notified of their Grant via the email that they provided by August 18, 2023.
  2. When notified a grant is to be given, grantee must complete a Grant Agreement, show proof of enrollment, and verify where the check is to be mailed.
  3. Grants should arrive by September 1, 2023.

Questions?

Contact

Davidson Lloyd
Director of Assistance Programs
323-549-6649

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