25 Scholarships for Masters in Counseling -2023/2024

Counseling is a diverse field, and the daily experiences of counselors vary significantly. They might assist students with academic, personal, and family-related challenges, while others focus on marriage and family therapy. Given the impact of these issues on mental health, counselors are required to undergo a comprehensive master’s program, ranging from one and a half to four years.

However, pursuing a graduate degree can impose a substantial financial burden on aspiring counselors. To alleviate this, many students turn to scholarships for masters in counseling to minimize their debt.

This article showcases 25 scholarship opportunities designed to assist qualifying and selected candidates in funding their counseling degrees. Each scholarship is accompanied by a brief description, the award amount, and a link to the scholarship website.

1. NBCFF Minority Fellowship Program

• Amount: Up to $20,000
• Description: Funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, this program awards up to 80 masters-level minority fellows annually. Its aim is to enhance mental health resources and the availability of marriage and family therapists for underserved minority populations.
• To Apply: [Visit the NBCCF to apply]

2. Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund

• Amount: Up to $15,000
• Description: The Davis-Putter Foundation supports individuals dedicated to social and economic justice. Applicants must be actively engaged in social movements in the United States.
• To Apply: [Visit the Davis-Putter Foundation to apply]

3. Pride Foundation Scholarship

• Amount: $10,000
• Description: The Pride Foundation offers over 60 scholarships annually to support students pursuing post-secondary education, including graduate school. The scholarships are available to residents of the northwest, namely Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, or Washington, even if they plan to study in a different state.
• To Apply: [Visit the Pride Foundation to apply]

4. Scott and Paul Pearsall Grant

• Amount: $10,000
• Description: This grant is intended for graduate students working to raise awareness of stigma towards individuals with physical disabilities. Applicants must be full-time graduate students in good academic standing.
• To Apply: [Visit the American Psychological Association to apply]

5. David H. and Beverly A. Barlow Grant

• Amount: $8,500
• Description: Supporting graduate students researching anxiety and anxiety-related disorders, this grant requires applicants to be affiliated with a nonprofit organization to be eligible.
• To Apply: [Visit the American Psychological Foundation to apply]

6. Services for Transition Age Youth Fellowship

• Amount: $6,000
• Description: This fellowship aims to aid students pursuing their master’s in mental health services, specifically focusing on serving transition age youth (ages 16 to 25) and their families.
• To Apply: [Visit the American Psychological Foundation to apply]

7. Violet and Cyril Franks Scholarship

• Amount: $5,000
• Description: Geared towards student research and projects that combat the stigma surrounding mental illness, this scholarship seeks to address the barriers to treatment faced by millions of Americans living with mental health conditions.
• To Apply: [Visit the American Psychological Foundation to apply]

8. AAC’s Behavioral Health Academic Scholarship Program

• Amount: $5,000
• Description: Funded by the American Addiction Centers, this scholarship is awarded to students enrolled in social work, psychology, nursing, counseling, marriage and family therapy, and substance abuse programs.
• To Apply: [Visit the ACC to apply]

9. Hispanic Scholarship Fund

• Amount: $5,000
• Description: Targeted towards students of Hispanic heritage pursuing a university degree, applicants for this scholarship must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5.
• To Apply: [Visit the Hispanic Scholarship Fund to apply]

10. Marie C. Quinn Memorial Scholarship

• Amount: $4,000
• Description: Supported by the Nassau Counselors Association, this scholarship is designed for students pursuing a master’s degree in counseling, residing in Nassau County, New York, and demonstrating a strong commitment to the field.
• To Apply: [Visit Nassau Counselors Association to apply]

11. Harvey Neal Kretzer Scholarship

• Amount: Varies
• Description: This scholarship is exclusively available to graduate students at Youngstown State University in Ohio who demonstrate a strong commitment to working with disadvantaged students.
• To Apply: Visit YSU to apply

12. Melanie Merola O’Donnell Memorial Scholarship

• Amount: $2,500
• Description: The Melanie Foundation Scholarship honors the memory of Melanie Merola O’Donnell, supporting one exceptional candidate pursuing a master’s degree in the mental health field each year. The scholarship seeks individuals dedicated to helping others through wisdom and compassion.
• To Apply: Visit The American Psychological Association to apply

13. Betty W Robbins Endowed Scholarship

• Amount: $2,000
• Description: Funded by The National Association of Junior Auxiliaries, the Betty W Robbins Endowed Scholarship addresses the needs of children and youth. Scholarships are awarded each April to deserving graduate students.
• To Apply: Visit NAJA to apply

14. Harry and Susanne Clay Scholarship

• Amount: $2,000
• Description: Members of the Michigan School Counselor Association pursuing an advanced degree in school counseling can apply for the Henry and Susanne Clay Scholarship. The award is intended to cover tuition and/or books and is granted annually.
• To Apply: Visit Michigan School Counselor Association to ApplyExternal link:

15. Ab Irvine Scholarship

• Amount: $2,000
• Description: The Ab Irvine Scholarship benefits two students enrolled in psychology, counseling, or social work programs within the Great South District (Colorado, New Mexico, or El Paso).
• To Apply: Visit Sante Fe Civitan to applyExternal link:

16. Cheryl Hamel School Counselor Scholarship

• Amount: $1,500
• Description: The Cheryl Hamel School Counselor Scholarship is designed for students pursuing a master’s degree in elementary or secondary school counseling at West Chester University. Applicants should hold a minimum 3.5 GPA.
• To Apply: Visit the WCUPA to applyExternal link:op

17. Emeliza Swain Legacy Scholarship

• Amount: $1,000
• Description: The Emeliza Swain Legacy Scholarship honors the contributions of the esteemed educator in the development of the Georgia School Counselors Association. It is awarded to master’s students in guidance or school counseling at Georgia University.
• To Apply: Visit Georgia School Counselor Association to applyExternal link:

18. Lloyd A. Stone School Counseling Scholarship

• Amount: $1,000
• Description: Emporia State University offers the Lloyd A. Stone School Counseling Scholarship to full-time students pursuing a master’s degree in school counseling.
• To Apply: Visit Emporia State University to applyExternal link:

19. LOSCA Graduate Student Scholarships

• Amount: $1,000
• Description: The Ohio State Counselor Association (OSCA) Graduate Student Scholarship provides financial aid to two Ohio students enrolled in school counseling programs. Recipients must maintain active OSCA membership.
• To Apply: Visit Ohio School Counselor Association to apply

20. ACA Tomorrow’s Counselors Awards

• Amount: $1,000 (plus other amounts for first and second prizes)
• Description: The ACA Tomorrow’s Counselor Awards recognize students with outstanding academic standing who are preparing for counseling careers. Multiple prizes are awarded, including a grand prize of $1,000.
• To Apply: Visit Counseling.org to apply

21. Sandra Koscielniak Graduate Scholarship

• Amount: $1,000
• Description: The Sandra Koscielniak Graduate Scholarship supports students pursuing a master’s degree in social work, counseling, psychology, or family therapy with a focus on youth in Illinois. Successful applicants should have plans to work with youth in social services.
• To Apply: Visit the AITCOYto apply

22. Lullelia W. Harrison Scholarships in Counseling

• Amount: $500 – $1,000
• Description: Zeta Phi Beta Sorority offers scholarships ranging from $500 to $1,000 to graduate students enrolled in counseling degree programs. To qualify, students must submit an essay detailing their community service activities and aspirations.
• To Apply: Visit Zeta Phi Beta to apply

23. Nancy Howell Scholarship Award

• Amount: $500
• Description: The Nancy Howell Scholarship awards two graduate students each year, one pursuing a master’s and the other a doctoral degree in counseling. Leadership potential as future counselors is a key criterion for selection.
• To Apply: Visit Licensed Professional Counselors Association of North Carolina to apply

24. Grungo Colarulo Giving Back to the Community Scholarship

• Amount: $500
• Description: Intended for undergraduate and graduate students in the US with a minimum GPA of 3.0, the Grungo Colarulo Giving Back to the Community Scholarship requires applicants to submit an essay on their community service involvement.
• To Apply: Visit Grungo Colarulo Injury Law to apply

25. Master’s Degree Scholarship in Psychology and Counseling

• Amount: $500
• Description: Awarded annually to one recipient, this scholarship supports graduate students pursuing a master’s degree in counseling, psychology, mental health counseling, or clinical psychology.
• To Apply: Visit Learn.org to apply

Conclusion

These are 25 scholarships for masters in counseling and mental health you can embark on to attain your academic and professional goals. Visit the respective links provided to apply and take a step closer to your academic and professional goals. Best of luck! For more scholarship opportunities, click here