Counseling and Psychology Scholarships and Grants
Updated August 24, 2023 · 5 Min Read
Paying for school poses a significant challenge for many prospective psychologists and counselors. With most counseling and psychology careers requiring a graduate degree, students often look for ways to reduce their overall financial burden, beginning with their undergraduate studies. Unlike loans, which require repayment, scholarships and grants typically provide direct awards that students can apply to tuition and fees, books, research, and other expenses.
This page describes 25 counseling and psychology scholarships and grants. Make sure to check with the funding organization's website for up-to-date eligibility requirements. While most of these scholarships and grants determine eligibility based on academic merit, financial need, or both, some awards target specific specializations, geographical areas, or underrepresented groups.
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Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
25 Scholarships for Counseling and Psychology Students
Scholarships for Undergraduate Counseling Students
Ab Irvine Scholarship
Who Can Apply: The Santa Fe Civitan Club funds two counseling scholarships annually for students majoring in psychology, counseling, or social work who plan to enter careers focusing on children with special needs.
Amount: $2,000
Behavioral Health Academic Scholarship Program
Who Can Apply: The American Addiction Centers awards up to three scholarships to students in counseling, psychology, social work, and related fields focusing on the treatment of mental illness and substance abuse disorders.
Amount: $5,000
Future Counselors of America Scholarship
Who Can Apply: Students who seek careers in relationship counseling or related fields may apply. This scholarship requires each applicant to submit an essay about the challenges of using online resources to develop dating and interpersonal relationships.
Amount: $1,000
Hispanic Scholarship Fund
Who Can Apply: This award accepts applications from high school seniors of Hispanic heritage who plan to attend college. Each candidate must have a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale. U.S. citizens, legal residents, DACA recipients, and eligible non-citizens may apply.
Amount: $500-$5,000
Udall Undergraduate Scholarship
Who Can Apply: This scholarship supports Native American and Alaska Native students with sophomore or junior standing. Applicants should plan to enter careers related to the environment, public policy, or health conditions in the Native American community.
Amount: Up to $7,000
Women's Independence Scholarship Program
Who Can Apply: This need-based scholarship funds full- or part-time study for women who have left abusive domestic relationships and seek financial independence. Scholarship-holders receive mentoring services from nonprofit agencies as survivors of intimate partner abuse.
Amount: Variable
Scholarships for Graduate Counseling Students
Betty W. Robbins Endowed Scholarship
Who Can Apply: The National Association of Junior Auxiliaries sponsors this scholarship for graduate students in counseling, psychology, mental health, developmental studies, and related areas who plan to enter professional roles that address the special needs of children and youth.
Amount: Variable
Harry and Susanne Clay Scholarship
Who Can Apply: Applicants pursuing master's or other advanced degrees in school counseling must hold current membership in the Michigan School Counselor Association to apply. Each candidate submits an application, a written statement, and one letter of recommendation.
Amount: $2,000
Marie C. Quinn Memorial Scholarship
Who Can Apply: Residents of Nassau County, New York, submit personal statements describing their commitment to graduate studies in counseling and their involvement in the Nassau County Counselors Association to apply.
Amount: Variable
Nancy Howell Award
Who Can Apply: The Licensed Professional Counselors Association of North Carolina awards two annual scholarships for master's and doctoral studies in counseling. Candidates must demonstrate leadership potential as graduate students and as future licensed counselors.
National Board for Certified Counselors Foundation Rural Scholarship
Who Can Apply: Students from rural areas currently enrolled in a Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)-accredited counseling master's degrees may apply. Recipients must agree to provide counseling services to a rural community for at least two years after completing their degree.
Amount: $8,000
National Board for Certified Counselors Foundation Minority Fellowship
Who May Apply: This scholarship supports students currently enrolled in CACREP-accredited counseling master's programs committed to serving underserved communities, child/adolescent and geriatric groups, minorities in inner cities and rural areas, and veterans or military families.
Amount: $10,000
Ohio School Counselor Association Graduate Student Scholarship
Who Can Apply: This state counselor association awards two scholarships annually to student members enrolled in a school counseling master's program in Ohio. Each applicant must submit an essay on the significance of school counseling on student success.
Amount: $1,000
Scholarships for Undergraduate Psychology Students
APS Convention Society Research Award
Who Can Apply: The Association for Psychological Science selects two undergraduate psychology students to present their empirical research at the annual APS conference. Applicants for this award must hold membership in the Psi Chi International Honor Society.
Amount: $400
Health Hope for Healing Scholarship
Who Can Apply: FHE Health, a Florida-based mental health treatment organization, offers scholarships to undergraduates attending four-year institutions pursuing studies in mental health, behavioral health, psychiatric nursing, or addiction-related fields. Each applicant must have a 3.0 GPA or higher.
Amount: $5,000
Indian Health Service Preparatory Scholarship
Who Can Apply: Members or descendants of federally-recognized, state-recognized, or terminated American Indian or Alaska Native Tribes may apply for this scholarship. Recipients must maintain enrollment in preparatory or prerequisite courses that lead to a health-related undergraduate degree.
Amount: Variable, covering tuition, fees, and living expenses
National Federation of Republican Women National Pathfinder Scholarship
Who Can Apply: This scholarship supports women majoring in psychology who intend to enter careers related to substance abuse treatment. Applicants must have at least sophomore-class standing and an affiliation with the Republican party.
Amount: $2,500
National Institute of Health Undergraduate Scholarship Program
Who Can Apply: The NIH scholarship program provides for undergraduate students from disadvantaged backgrounds who plan to enter careers in biomedical, behavioral, and social science health-related research fields. Each applicant must demonstrate a 3.3 GPA or higher.
Amount: Up to $20,000
Psi Chi Undergraduate Scholarship
Who Can Apply: Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology, awards eight scholarships annually to undergraduates majoring in psychology or a related field. Applicants must demonstrate both financial need and academic excellence and hold current membership in Psi Chi.
Amount: $3,000
Scholarships for Graduate Psychology Students
APAGS/Psi Chi Junior Scientist Fellowship
Who Can Apply: The American Psychological Association of Graduate Students offers this award to students entering their first year or first semester of their second year in a research-oriented graduate psychology program. Recipients must use the funds to support direct research costs.
Amount: $1,000
Benton-Meier Scholarship
Who May Apply: This scholarship, funded by the American Psychological Foundation (APF), supports doctoral-level neuropsychology students interested in developing innovative research. Each candidate must submit a proposal, timeline, and budget for their research project.
Amount: $2,000
David H. and Beverly A. Barlow Grant
Who May Apply: This grant provides funding to graduate students in psychology who plan to conduct basic or clinical research on anxiety and anxiety-related disorders. Candidates must demonstrate their competency to conduct their research project and submit a detailed proposal.
Amount: $8,500
George C. Thornton, III Graduate Scholarship
Who May Apply: The Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology awards this scholarship to doctoral students who demonstrate their commitment to the scientist/practitioner model within the field.
Amount: $3,000
Melanie Merola O'Donnell Memorial Scholarship
Who Can Apply: Students earning their master's in mental health and community violence-related fields may apply for this scholarship. Each applicant must submit an essay that describes their experience in the field and how they intend to use their degree.
Amount: $2,500
Violet and Cyril Franks Scholarship
Who May Apply: The APF awards this scholarship to graduate students enrolled in psychology or counseling psychology programs at accredited institutions. An applicant must submit a research proposal focusing on reducing the stigma in treating mental illnesses.
Amount: $5,000