Our story behind the scholarship.
More than 76% of mental health counselors and 70% of substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors are white, and the large majority are cis-gendered women (BLS). The pool of mental health providers needs to expand and include counselors with diverse backgrounds, identities, abilities, specializations, and experiences who can reflect the needs and preferences of patients.
The mission of this scholarship is to support students from traditionally marginalized and minority communities who are working to achieve their academic and career goals in college mental health. We aim to reduce the barriers to the field, provide greater opportunities to aspiring mental health professionals who face various socioeconomic barriers, and contribute to a more diversified mental health workforce.
Eligibility and Entry
Eligible applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be a graduate and postgraduate student in the United States who are actively pursuing a degree related to mental health (such as: social work, counseling, psychiatry, occupational therapy)
- Be enrolled in a mental health program at the masters, doctoral, or professional/medical level and are working to complete fieldwork/practicum/rotation in a university or college counseling center
- Be a member of an underrepresented or historically marginalized community or an underrepresented population within the field of mental health
Application Requirement:
Applicants must provide the name of the university counseling center of their current or upcoming placement, the dates of their placement, and the contact information for their supervisor at the university counseling center.
Essay Prompt:
What inspired you to pursue a career in mental healthcare? How will your experiences support you in your work to serve college students? Please write no more than 1000 words and include your essay as an attachment
Total Amount:
$3,000 to be awarded to each of the three winners.
Application Deadline:
March 15, 2023
Winner Announcement:
May 2023