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).

Northwestern University

The Family Institute at Northwestern University

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Master of Arts in Counseling

Earn a CACREP-accredited master’s in counseling online from top-9 ranked1 Northwestern University.
 

1U.S. News & World Report: 2022 Best National University Rankings 

  • CACREP Accredited
  • Earn your MA in Counseling from Northwestern in as few as 18 months
  • Accelerated full-time, traditional, or part-time tracks available

New York University

NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development

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Master of Arts in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness

Aspiring mental health counselors are prepared to pursue licensure with NYU Steinhardt’s MPCAC-accredited online counseling master’s. Students can earn their degree in as few as 21 mos. GRE not req. 

  • Prepare to become a mental health counselor
  • Accredited by the MPCAC
  • As few as 21 months to complete
  • GRE not required 

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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.


To Apply:
 Visit the Davis-Putter Foundation to apply

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.


To Apply:
 Visit the Hispanic Scholarship Fund to apply

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.


To Apply:
 Visit Nassau Counselors Association to apply

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.


To Apply:
 Visit Ohio School Counselor Association to apply

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

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.


To Apply:
 Visit Grungo Colarulo Injury Law to apply

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