
Scholarships for school counseling students
Pursuing a career as a school counselor can be both rewarding and extremely challenging. In this position, you have the opportunity to work with children and adolescents from diverse backgrounds and prepare them for the next steps in their education or career. Many students have a memory of a time that a guidance counselor impacted their lives and helped get them where they are today. School counselors are crucial in helping students transition from high school to the big, open world.
It should come as no surprise that paying for school is an obstacle for many aspiring school counselors. Luckily, whether it’s federal student loans, grants, or scholarships for school counseling majors, there are many financial aid options available to help you achieve your dreams. Scholarships for school counselors are an excellent option, since they help you get money for school that doesn’t need to be paid back.
Whether you’re searching for undergraduate school counseling scholarships, graduate school counseling scholarships, or school counseling scholarships for minorities, this page is a great place to begin your search.
Scholarships for undergraduate school counseling majors
While many school counseling jobs require at least a master’s degree in counseling, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in counseling is a great start to your career. You can begin your search with the scholarships below and the Degree Choices scholarship database. Additionally, your high school guidance counselor or university’s financial aid office often has further resources to help you save money on school.
Here are examples of scholarships for school counseling majors at the undergraduate level:
The Ab Irvine scholarship is open to legal residents of New Mexico, Colorado, or El Paso County, Texas who are pursuing a career working with children with special needs. Students can enroll in programs such as special education, counseling, psychology, and art/music therapy within New Mexico, Texas, or Colorado.
Scholarship amount: $2,000
Official scholarship website: Ab Irvine Scholarship
AITCOY provides two $500 scholarships per year to high school students planning to enroll in a 4-year counseling, social work, psychology, youth recreation, youth prevention, or sociology program. Applicants should have a strong passion for community service and leadership. Complete the online application form to apply.
Scholarship amount: $500
Official scholarship website: AITCOY Undergraduate Scholarship
Scholarships for graduate school counseling majors
Pursuing a master’s degree in school counseling or a related field is one of the last steps towards beginning your career as a school counselor. However, your dream of helping students doesn’t have to put you into debt. Scholarships can help you fund your education and focus on what matters most – building your skills and your career to make a difference in the lives of students.
Check out these money-saving scholarships for school counseling majors at the graduate level:
The American Counseling Association runs an annual essay competition for graduate students pursuing a career as a school counselor at the elementary, middle school, or high school level. Awards range from $500 to $2,000 and include free registration to attend the ACA Virtual Conference Experience. Applicants must respond to the essay question and be ACA student members.
Scholarship amount: $500 – $2,000
Official scholarship website: Future School Counselors Essay Competition
Learn.org offers one $500 scholarship per year to graduate students studying community counseling, counseling psychology, guidance counseling, and related fields. Students must complete an online application to apply.
Scholarship amount: $500
Official scholarship website: Master’s Degree Scholarship in Psychology and Counseling
The OSCA awards two $1,000 scholarships per year to graduate students in school counseling programs. Applicants must be student members of the OSCA and studying at a university in Ohio. The application involves an essay, online form, letter of recommendation, and transcripts.
Scholarship amount: $1,000
Official scholarship website: Ohio School Counselor Association Graduate Student Scholarship
The New Hampshire School Counselor Association provides $2,000 to one graduate student per year with a passion for school counseling. Students must demonstrate financial need and be student members of the NHSCA. The application involves a statement of financial need, transcripts, personal statement, and resume.
Scholarship amount: $2,000
Official scholarship website: Jo Hayslip Memorial Scholarship
Graduate students in a school counseling program leading to New York State certification at the University of Rochester Warner School of Education receive a guaranteed 50% tuition scholarship. Recipients must commit 2 years to serving as a school counselor with a U.S.-based school after graduation. For more information, reach out to the school’s financial aid office.
Scholarship amount: 50% tuition
Official scholarship website: University of Rochester Dean’s Guaranteed Scholarship
Scholarships for doctoral school counseling majors
While a doctoral-level degree is not required to be a school counselor, it’s a wonderful path if you’re interested in conducting research in the field or challenging traditional school counseling practices. Pursuing an advanced degree allows you to gain a deeper understanding of school counseling theory and enhance current school counseling practices through research.
Here are just a few of the available scholarships for school counseling majors at the doctoral level:
Doctoral students at Western Michigan University are eligible to apply for this annual $500 award. Funds can be used towards tuition, research, or education-related travel. To apply, students need to fill out an online application, write a short essay, and provide official transcripts and references.
Scholarship amount: $500
Official scholarship website: Robert and Diane Betz Award for Doctoral Studies in Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology
Western Michigan University awards one doctoral student per year within the Counselor Education or Counseling Psychology program. Students must demonstrate financial need and complete the FAFSA to apply.
Official scholarship website: The Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology Alumni/ae Scholarship
The University of Montana awards $1,000 to qualified graduate or doctoral-level students enrolled in a counseling program. The application involves unofficial transcripts, an essay, and letters of recommendation.
Scholarship amount: $1,000
Official scholarship website: Al Price Counselor Scholarship
Scholarships for minority students in school counseling
Increasing the diversity of school counselors and the education sphere as a whole can only benefit students by providing different perspectives and improving representation. To encourage this, many organizations provide scholarships that are only for minority students. It’s important to check with your high school guidance counselor or university’s financial aid office to find out about other opportunities as well.
The Pride Foundation offers 60+ different scholarship funds for LGBTQ+ students. The Don Renschler Scholarship is awarded to LGBTQ+ students studying in the field of mental health, including school counseling. Applicants must be residents of Washington to apply.
Official scholarship website: Pride Foundation Don Renschler Scholarship
While this scholarship is not solely for students pursuing a career as a school counselor, minority students studying counseling are eligible to apply. This annual $4,000 award is granted to a graduate student with financial need from an underrepresented group. Applicants should show a commitment to improving disparities and supporting communities of color. The application involves a personal statement, resume, letter of recommendation, and the FAFSA.
Scholarship amount: $4,000
Official scholarship website: APF Queen-Nellie Evans Scholarship
FAQ
How do I find scholarships for school counseling?
Begin by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA for short, to determine you eligibility for student aid. Next, visit Petersons, Cappex, Fastweb, of the Degree Choices scholarship databases to learn what scholarships are available. Your high school guidance counselor or university’s financial aid office should also have additional information. Lastly, reach out to local school counseling or related organizations in your community to see if they offer scholarships to students entering this field of study.
How can scholarships for school counseling majors help me save money on school?
Scholarships and grants are the best type of financial aid, because they give you money that never needs to be paid back. Student loans can also help you cover the cost of school, but need to pay them back later on, often with high interest rates.
How do I qualify for scholarships for school counseling majors?
Each scholarship has its own unique set of requirements – which means you’re likely to qualify for quite a few. Most scholarships require that you’re in a counseling-related program and meet certain academic or financial requirements. To find out if you’re eligible, read the eligibility requirements for the scholarship you’d like to apply for or reach out to the organization directly for more information.
How much does a school counseling degree cost?
Since most school counseling jobs require a master’s degree, the cost of education can be quite high. According to the Education Data Initiative, the average cost of a master’s degree is $54,500 from a public school and $81,100 from a private school. This is in addition to the average cost of $142,880 for a 4-year degree. The cost of education varies by school and in-state tuition is often much cheaper. Scholarships and grants can help you reduce the cost of education even further.
More counseling scholarships
Predoctoral Fellowship in Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
American Psychological Association, MFP
Renewable
Amount: $23,844+
Deadline: 1/15
NASP-ERT Minority Scholarship Program
National Association of School Psychologists-Education and Research
Not Renewable
Amount: $5,000+
Deadline: 10/29
APS Student Grants
Association for Psychological Science
Not Renewable
Amount: $500+
Deadline: ongoing
Allied Health Loan-For-Service Program
New Mexico Commission on Higher Education
Not Renewable
Amount: $12,000+
Deadline: 7/1
American Educational Research Association (AERA) Grants Program
American Educational Research Association
Amount: $25,000 – $35,000
Deadline: 10/5
American Educational Research Association Minority Dissertation Fellowship in Education Research
American Educational Research Association
Not Renewable
Amount: $25,000+
Deadline: ongoing
Bisexual Foundation Scholarship Award
Society for the Psychological Study of Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Is
Amount: $1,000+
Deadline: 3/30
Charles L. Hebner Memorial Scholarship
Delaware Higher Education Office
Not Renewable
Amount: Varies
Deadline: 2/26
Charlotte Shepherd Southern Spirit Scholarship
Oregon Office of Student Access and Completion
Not Renewable
Amount: Varies
Deadline: 3/1
Clinton E. Phillips Scholarship
California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists Educationa
Not Renewable
Amount: Varies
Deadline: 11/4
Educational Foundation Scholarship
California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists Educationa
Not Renewable
Amount: Varies
Deadline: 11/4
Fulbright Distinguished Chair in Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (The Australian National University)
Council for International Exchange of Scholars
Amount: Varies
Deadline: 9/15
Fulbright Postdoctoral Award in the Social Sciences
Council for International Exchange of Scholars
Amount: Varies
Deadline: 9/15
Fulbright-Oxford-Pembroke Distinguished Scholar (Politics and International Relations)
Council for International Exchange of Scholars
Amount: Varies
Deadline: 9/15
Harold Gulliksen Psychometric Research Fellowship Program
Educational Testing Service
Not Renewable
Amount: $28,000+
Deadline: 1/21
James F. Reville Scholarship
The Arc New York
Not Renewable
Amount: $3,000+
Deadline: 1/7
Janet L. Hoffman Loan Assistance Repayment Program
Maryland Higher Education Commission
Amount: Varies
Deadline: 10/1
Ketamine Clinics of Los Angeles Scholarship Program
Ketamine Clinics of Los Angeles
Renewable
Amount: $1,000+
Deadline: 12/1
Malyon-Smith Scholarship Award
Society for the Psychological Study of Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Is
Amount: $1,000+
Deadline: 3/30
National Association of Junior Auxiliaries Graduate Scholarship Program
National Association of Junior Auxiliaries, Inc.
Not Renewable
Amount: Varies
Deadline: 2/1