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25 Counseling Scholarships for Graduate Students
Counseling is a broad field and there’s no such thing as a “typical day” for a counselor. Some counselors help students navigate through academic, personal, and familial issues, while other counselors focus on marriage and family therapy. As so many of these issues impact a person’s mental health short and long term, counselors must complete a rigorous master's program that can take between one and a half to four years.
Earning a graduate degree can be a heavy financial burden, and as a result, many counselors-in-training turn to scholarships to reduce their debt burden. This article highlights 25 scholarship opportunities that might help you pay for your degree should you qualify and be selected. Each scholarship includes a brief description, the award amount, and a link to the scholarship website. As you read, please keep in mind that some information may have changed since this article's publication (November 2019)
List of Counseling Scholarships
NBCFF Minority Fellowship Program
Amount: up to $20,000
Description: Awards up to 80 masters-level minority fellows each year and is funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The program seeks to improve mental health resources and availability of marriage and family therapists to underserved minority populations.
To Apply: Visit the NBCCF to apply
Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund
Amount: up to $15,000
Description: The Davis-Putter Foundation supports people working towards social and economic justice. Applicants must be active participants in social movements in the US.
Pride Foundation Scholarship
Amount: $10,000
Description: The Pride Foundation offers over 60 scholarships to support students pursuing post-secondary education, including any graduate school. The scholarships are available to residents of the northwest on a yearly basis, including Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, or Washington, but they may study in a different state.
To Apply: Visit the Pride Foundation to apply
Scott and Paul Pearsall Grant
Amount: $10,000
Description: The Scott and Paul Pearsall Grant grants graduate students working to increase awareness of stigma towards people with physical disabilities. Applicants must be full-time graduate students in good academic standing.
To Apply: Visit the American Psychological Association to apply
David H. and Beverly A. Barlow Grant
Amount: $8,500
Description: The David H. and Beverly A. Barlow Grant supports graduate students who are researching anxiety and anxiety related disorders. Applicants must be affiliated with a nonprofit organization in order to be eligible for this award..
To Apply: Visit the American Psychological Foundation to apply
Services for Transition Age Youth Fellowship
Amount: $6,000
Description: The Services for Transition Age Youth Fellowship supports students pursuing their master’s in mental health services. The fellowship specifically targets those who are training to serve transition age youth (ages 16 to 25) as well as their families.
To Apply: Visit the American Psychological Foundation to apply
Violet and Cyril Franks Scholarship
Amount: $5,000
Description: The Violet and Cyril Franks Scholarship supports student research and projects that aim to reduce the stigma of mental illness. Stigma is often a barrier to treatment even though millions of Americans are living with mental illnesses.
To Apply: Visit the American Psychological Foundation to apply
AAC’s Behavioral Health Academic Scholarship Program
Amount: $5,000
Description: The Behavioral Health Academic Scholarship is funded by the American Addiction Centers and is awarded to students in social work, psychology, nursing, counseling, marriage and family therapy and substance abuse programs.
To Apply: Visit the ACC to apply
Hispanic Scholarship Fund
Amount: $5,000
Description: The Hispanic Scholarship Fund is for students of Hispanic heritage working towards a university degree. Graduate students must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 to be eligible to receive this award.
Marie C. Quinn Memorial Scholarship
Amount: $4,000
Description: The Nassau Counselors Association supports students pursuing a master’s degree in counseling. Students must be residents of Nassau County in New York and demonstrate commitment to counseling in order to be considered.
Harvey Neal Kretzer Scholarship
Amount: Varies
Description: The Harvey Neal Kretzer Scholarship is awarded to graduate students at Youngstown State University in Ohio. Applicants must show a commitment to working with disadvantaged students.
To Apply: Visit YSU to apply
Melanie Merola O'Donnell Memorial Scholarship
Amount: $2,500
Description: The Melanie Foundation Scholarship supports students who align with Melanie Merola O’Donnell’s legacy of helping others through wisdom and compassion. It is awarded to one candidate earning their master’s in the mental health field each year.
To Apply: Visit The American Psychological Association to apply
Betty W Robbins Endowed Scholarship
Amount: $2,000
Description: The Betty W Robbins Endowed Scholarship is funded by The National Association of Junior Auxiliaries, which addresses the needs of children and youth. Scholarships are awarded each April to graduate students.
To Apply: Visit NAJA to apply
Harry and Susanne Clay Scholarship
Amount: $2,000
Description: The Henry and Susanne Clay Scholarship is awarded to members of Michigan School Counselor Association who are earning an advanced degree in school counseling. The scholarship is awarded each year and intended for tuition and/or books.
To Apply: Visit Michigan School Counselor Association to Apply
Ab Irvine Scholarship
Amount: $2,000
Description: The Ab Irvine Scholarship is granted to two students in either undergraduate or graduate programs studying psychology, counseling, or social work in the Great South District (Colorado, New Mexico, or El Paso).
To Apply: Visit Sante Fe Civitan to apply
Cheryl Hamel School Counselor Scholarship
Amount: $1,500
Description: The Cheryl Hamel School Counselor Scholarship is awarded to students pursuing a master’s in elementary or secondary school counseling at West Chester University. Students must have at least a 3.5 GPA.
To Apply: Visit the WCUPA to apply
Emeliza Swain Legacy Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Description: Emeliza Swain was an educator and invaluable in the development of the Georgia School Counselors Association. The scholarship is awarded to students at Georgia University earning a masters in guidance or school counseling.
To Apply: Visit Georgia School Counselor Association to apply
Lloyd A. Stone School Counseling Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Description: The Lloyd A. Stone School Counseling Scholarship is awarded to students pursuing a masters in school counseling at Emporia State University. Students must be enrolled full-time.
To Apply: Visit Emporia State University to apply
LOSCA Graduate Student Scholarships
Amount: $1,000
Description: The Ohio State Counselor Association (OSCA) Graduate Student Scholarship is awarded to two students in school counseling programs in Ohio. Students must also maintain an active membership at the OSCA.
ACA Tomorrow’s Counselors Awards
Amount: $1,000 (other amounts for first and second prize)
Description: The ACA Tomorrow’s Counselor Awards is technically not a scholarship, but a yearly award for students preparing for counseling careers with excellent academic standing. There is a grand prize of $1000, first prize of $750 and second prize of $500.
To Apply: Visit Counseling.org to apply
Sandra Koscielniak Graduate Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Description: The Sandra Koscielniak Graduate Scholarship is awarded to students pursuing a masters in social work, counseling, psychology, or family therapy with a focus on youth in Illinois. Applicants must plan to work with youth in social services.
To Apply: Visit the AITCOYto apply
Lullelia W. Harrison Scholarships in Counseling
Amount: $500 - $1,000
Description: The Zeta Phi Beta Sorority awards graduate students enrolled in a counseling degree program an award between $500-$1000 each year. Students must submit an essay detailing their community service activities and goals.
To Apply: Visit Zeta Phi Beta to apply
Nancy Howell Scholarship Award
Amount: $500
Description: The Nancy Howell Scholarship is awarded to two graduate students each year - one pursuing a master’s and one pursuing a doctoral degree in counseling. Students must demonstrate leadership potential as future counselors.
To Apply: Visit Licensed Professional Counselors Association of North Carolina to apply
Grungo Colarulo Giving Back to the Community Scholarship
Amount: $500
Description: The Grungo Colarulo Giving Back to the Community Scholarship is for students enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program in the US and have a minimum GPA of 3.0. Applicants must submit an essay on community service to be eligible for this award.
Master’s Degree Scholarship in Psychology and Counseling
Amount: $500
Description: This scholarship supports students pursuing a master’s in counseling, psychology, mental health counseling, and clinical psychology. The scholarship is awarded to one recipient each year.
To Apply: Visit Learn.org to apply