ACCL Releases 2024 Post-Secondary Scholarship Applications with $28,900 Available; New Scholarship Offered

The Armstrong Center for Community Learning (ACCL), a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to support post-secondary education and workforce development in Armstrong County, released applications for its portfolio of post-secondary scholarships.  For 2024, $28,900 is available across three scholarships offered by the ACCL.

The 2024 scholarships include the William R. Schall Memorial Scholarship, ACCL Post-Secondary Scholarship, and the Ralph & Mary Lou McAllister Scholarship.  Applications, which are due on April 15, 2024, are available at www.armstrongcenter.org/scholarships.

The William R. Schall Memorial Scholarship is new for 2024 and was established in memory of the late William R. Schall for the purpose of providing scholarships for post-secondary education leading to a degree in the environmental and agricultural industries.  Mr. Schall’s family initially established the fund to support the ongoing programming and operations at the Outdoor Discovery Center at Crooked Creek.  With Mr. Schall’s family’s approval, the ACCL has begun offering this scholarship in 2024.  $2,500 is available this year.  To be eligible for the William R. Schall Memorial Scholarships, applicants:

  • Must be or will be enrolled (Fall 2024) in an accredited post-secondary education program. This can include trade schools, community colleges and four-year universities;
  • Must be pursuing a career in an environmental or agricultural field. This can include: Biology, Ecology, Geology, Agriculture, Forestry, Environmental Education or other Environmental and Agricultural fields of study;
  • Must live in Armstrong County or be a graduate from a high school in Armstrong County;
  • Must have a GPA of 2.5 or higher.

The Armstrong Center for Community Learning is also offering the ACCL Post-Secondary Scholarship for the second year in a row.  The ACCL awards these scholarships to students who are or will be enrolled in any accredited post-secondary institution.  Priority will be given to first-generation college students.  $6,400 is available this year.  To be eligible for the ACCL Post-Secondary Scholarships, applicants:

  • Must be or will be enrolled (Fall 2024) in an accredited post-secondary institution;
  • Must live in Armstrong County;
  • Must have a GPA of 2.5 or higher.

This year, the ACCL will continue its long-standing tradition of awarding scholarships from the Ralph and Mary Lou McAllister Scholarship Trust Fund, which was established by the late Mary Lou McAllister for the purpose of providing scholarships for college education leading to a Bachelor’s Degree for students who reside in the Ford City, PA 16226 zip code.  Mrs. McAllister was an active citizen of Ford City and was interested in the welfare of her community.

Mrs. McAllister designated the ACCL to manage and award scholarships from this Trust Fund.  Since 2004, 99 McAllister Scholarships totaling more than $236,000 have been awarded to Ford City residents pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree.  $20,000 is available this year.  To be eligible for the McAllister Scholarships, applicants:

  • Must be or will be enrolled (Fall 2024) in an approved institution of higher education leading to a Bachelor’s Degree;
  • Must be a Ford City, PA resident, meaning the applicant’s primary residence has a 16226 zip code.

The ACCL was incorporated in 1963 as the Armstrong Educational Trust, which was initially responsible for attracting Indiana University of Pennsylvania to open a branch campus in Armstrong County.  The ACCL connects people to resources to enhance life-long learning.  One of nine Community Education Councils in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the ACCL provides personal and professional career advancement opportunities to residents throughout western Pennsylvania.  The ACCL is an authorized test center for Pearson VUE, PSI and Certiport, providing professional certification and licensure exams helping industries and individuals make an impact on their professions, communities, and the lives of others.

The ACCL also provides testing for the GED and HiSET high school equivalency exams and the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) from College Board.  The ACCL partners with ARIN Intermediate Unit 28 and PLATO Online Learning to guide adult learners toward their certificate or degree, including high school equivalency, English as a Second Language (ESL), and the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) which assesses a student’s knowledge and readiness for nursing school.

The ACCL also operates the Outdoor Discovery Center at Crooked Creek (ODC) and its educational and recreational programming for people of all ages.  Businesses and organized groups can rent the ACCL and ODC facilities for employee training, meetings, workshops and retreats.  Visit www.armstrongcenter.org for additional information about the ACCL and ODC.

For questions, please contact Justin Nolder at [email protected] or call 724-543-2599.

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Posted in ACCL Events, ODC Events
Armstrong Center for Community Learning

Armstrong Center for Community Learning