Good school counselors strive to help students develop in three major areas. These areas are academic, social, and vocational development. They also help students who need them to help access social services. There are many homeless and otherwise at-risk youth in need of social services in the US. This is especially crucial during high school. Those who show both passion and aptitude for this may be eligible for third party financial aid in the form of scholarships. There’s not nearly as much financial aid for graduate students. So school counseling scholarships like the ones we feature here are more important. They can help fill a gap. State counselor associations and colleges across the United States raise funds to finance training towards certification. This financial assistance paired with an affordable school can make the cost of your graduate degree a lot more bearable. Most of the scholarships we included are narrow in scope. Only available to those in school counseling programs.
Public school counselors must earn at least a master’s degree in:
- school counseling
- vocational counseling
- guidance counseling
- student affairs counseling
These programs help counselors acquire the in-depth skills of the profession. Namely, designing interventions that align with students’ unique abilities and goals. The BLS predicts that demand for school counselors will grow by 10% from 2021-2031. That’s a total of about 32,000 new jobs in the job market. Following are 20 great school counseling scholarships for aspiring school counselors. You can get a doctoral degree in school counseling. However a doctoral degree is not needed for practice. It’s more of a research based degree, and for those who want to teach future school counselors at the graduate level.
Reviewing the Top School Counseling Scholarships
1. Carol Hacker Memorial Graduate Scholarship
The Colorado School Counselor Association offers the Carol Hacker Memorial Graduate Scholarship. It’s for $500 yearly to graduate students who attend CACREP-accredited colleges in Colorado. They must study school counseling. You will find eligible programs at Adams State University, Colorado State University, University of Northern Colorado and more. Any CACREP-accredited school in the state will do. Applicants must also maintain a 3.5 GPA and current CSCA membership. They must have experience in PreK-12 schools. And they must submit two recommendations.
Contact
Carol Hacker Memorial Graduate Scholarship
20500 E Arapahoe Rd
Aurora, CO 80016
(303) 807-5460
gmcdonald@coloradoschoolcounselor.org
2. David Lawrence Santoro Scholarship
Cleveland State University offers the David Lawrence Santoro Scholarship. The scholarship is offered through the department of education. It’s for $1,900 to defray the cost of the CACREP-accredited Master of Education degree. They must be taking the Clinical Mental Health Counseling or School Counseling specialization. Graduate students must be carrying 6+ credits per term. They must complete the CNS 620 course. They must also show evidence of professional affiliation, and display leadership ability. Applications must feature a two-page “Vision Statement” of future counseling goals.
Contact
David Lawrence Santoro Scholarship
2121 Euclid Avenue, AC 104
Cleveland, OH 44115
(216) 687-4613
casal@csuohio.edu
3. Dottie Martin Teachers Scholarship
The College Foundation of North Carolina administers the Dottie Martin Teachers Scholarship. The scholarship honors the First Lady’s dedication to serving the Old North State’s youth. The scholarship is $500. It helps educators studying to become child guidance counselors or school counselors. Students must be attending eligible in-state institutions. Applicants must submit three recommendation letters. They must submit offician university transcripts. And they must write a brief essay about their reasons for applying.
Contact
Dottie Martin Teachers Scholarship
5 Bearkling Place
Greensboro, NC 27407
(336) 852-4799
Scholarships@ncseaa.edu
4. DSCA Graduate Student Scholarships
The Delaware School Counselor Association awards two $1,000 scholarships each year. Applicants must have resided in Delaware for 12+ months. They must hold DSCA membership and be in good standing. They must be attending a CACREP-accredited school counseling program. Applicants will have reached their graduate-level internship stage. They should express dedication to supporting the needs of Delaware PreK-12 children. Practitioners could also earn the $1,000 School Counselor of the Year Award with district nominations.
Contact
DSCA Graduate Student Scholarships
8609 Third Street
Lincoln, DE 19960
(302) 422 1650 ext. 239
mforsbergdavis@msd.k12.de.us
5. Hugh Lovett Memorial Scholarship
The Hugh Lovett Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually. The scholarship is awarded by the Arkansas School Counselor Association. The $1,000 award is for current members. They must be enrolled in graduate school with a school counseling emphasis. Applicants must attend a CACREP-accredited university in Arkansas at least half-time. They should demonstrate the ability to work effectively with young people. They must demonstrate financial need. Applicants commit to three years of in-state service after graduation.
Contact
Hugh Lovett Memorial Scholarship
Attn: Angie Nix
2300 Prince Street
Conway, AR 72034
(501) 450-4880 Ext. 4114
nixa@conwayschools.com
6. Ida M. Pope Memorial Scholarship
The Ida M. Pope Memorial Scholarship is sponsored by the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board. It provides $500-$5,000 to female students who are pursuing education majors. These include school counseling and social work. Suitable applicants must have proof of Hawai’ian ancestry. They must attend a nonprofit, U.S. college. They must be enrolled full-time and have a 3.5 or higher GPA. They must demonstrate financial need. The scholarship appears to accept FAFSA as proof of financial need. There’s also the Ichiro & Masako Hirata Scholarship available.
Contact
7. Jimmie N. Smith Scholarship Endowed Graduate Scholarship
Louisiana State University-Shreveport offers the Jimmie N. Smith Scholarship Program. This program provides $500 per semester ($1,000 annually). It’s for two students. They must be pursuing one of two degrees. Either the MS in School Counseling or Specialist in School Psychology programs. To be eligible they must have completed 12+ required credits. They must be involved in the profession and hold a minimum B average. Each applicant will write a one-page personal statement describing their education career goals.
Contact
Jimmie N. Smith Scholarship Program
1 University Place
Shreveport, LA 71115
(318) 797-5199
msc@lsus.edu
8. Jo Hayslip Memorial Scholarship
The Jo Hayslip Memorial Scholarship is named after the visionary Plymouth State University professor. It’s awarded for $2,000 by the New Hampshire School Counselor Association each year. Eligible school counselors must be matriculated master’s or doctoral students. They must reside in New Hampshire and hold NHSCA membership. They must be finishing a CACREP-accredited program in-state and show promise meeting children’s unique needs. The four-page application packet must include an essay on students’ vision for school counseling practice.
Contact
Jo Hayslip Memorial Scholarship
13 Merrill Drive
Bennington, NH 03442
alangille@hdsd.k12.nh.us
9. Kent Batchelder School Counselor Scholarship
The University of Florida awards the Kent Batchelder School Counselor Scholarship. This $1,000 scholarship is awarded by the College of Education. It honors a beloved alumnus who served at Vernon Center Middle School. The award is available to students enrolled in the CACREP-accredited M.Ed./Ed.S. program in school counseling. Despite being a University of Florida scholarship, students from New England are given priority. Particularly students from Vermont, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. Floridians from Tarpon Springs are also given priority.
Contact
Kent Batchelder School Counselor Scholarship
P.O. Box 117040
Gainesville, FL 32611
(352) 392-0726
helpdesk@coe.ufl.edu
10. Clay Scholarship
This scholarship was established by Harry and Susanne Clay. The $2,000 scholarship is for students pursuing a master’s in school counseling. The scholarship is intended to be used for graduate school tuition and/or books. It is awarded annually. Application details must be acquired by contacting the Michigan School Counselor Association as they are not posted on the website. Contact information for MSCA is below.
Contact
Michigan School Counselor Association
P.O. Box 437
Schoolcraft, MI 49087
msca1964@gmail.com
11. Lynn Jensen Memorial Scholarships
The Lynn Jensen Memorial Scholarships honor National School Counselor Week every February. The Utah School Counselor Association names four $1,000 winners. It’s designed for Utah high school seniors with a minimum B average. Applicants must pursue post-secondary endeavors at accredited U.S. institutions. Preference is given to students wishing to join the education sector. They must intend to major in teaching or school counseling. Writing a one-page essay about a school counselor who’s inspired you is required.
Contact
Lynn Jensen Memorial Scholarships
P.O. Box 572033
Murray, UT 84107
(801) 984-7636
kbeddes@dsdmail.net
12. Melanie Merola O’Donnell Scholarship
The Melanie Merola O’Donnell Scholarship is worth $2,500. It’s sponsored by the American Psychological Association. It supports graduate students who are devoted to reducing community violence and who intend to do this by building mental health awareness. Scholarships are designed for master’s or doctoral candidates. They must attend a U.S. university with an accredited mental health program. For school counselors this means the program must have CACREP accreditation. Applicants must write a two-page essay. The subject is “how your experiences in the mental health profession have shaped your life and how you will use your college and graduate education to assist communities in a manner consistent with Melanie Merola O’Donnell’s values of compassion, generosity, respect, and honesty.”
Contact
Melanie Merola O’Donnell Scholarship
245 Washington Street #4666
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
colleen@themelaniefoundation.com
13. The Cheryl Hamel School Counselor Memorial Scholarship
The Cheryl Hamel School Counselor Memorial Scholarship is administered by West Chester University. It’s a $1,500 scholarship. It is awarded to a full or part-time graduate student in school counseling. Graduate students must have completed at least nine credits of coursework. They must have a 3.5 GPA in that nine credits. Students must also be pursuing both a master’s degree, and certification for elementary education, secondary education, or school counseling to qualify.
Contact
14. Mike Troy Graduate Student Scholarship
Deadline: November 1st
Residents of America’s Dairyland are invited to apply for the $1,000 Mike Troy Graduate Student Scholarship. It’s sponsored by the Wisconsin School Counselor Association (WSCA). Two eligible members who are earning CACREP-accredited master’s programs for school counseling in-state are chosen annually. Recipients are picked every February based upon:
- educational achievement
- relevant employment
- community activism
- cultural competence
- initiative
- professional promise
Individuals related to WSCA Board officers aren’t eligible.
Contact
Mike Troy Graduate Student Scholarship
2820 Walton Commons Suite 103
Madison, WI 53718
(608) 204-9825
nechodomk@gmail.com
15. MSCA Potential School Counselors Scholarship
The Minnesota School Counselors Association distributes $500 scholarships annually. The program of interest here is the Potential School Counselors Scholarship. This year two graduate students will be selected. It’s to assist graduate students pursuing a master’s degree at universities in Minnesota. Example programs include the ones at St. Cloud State University and Minnesota State University Mankato. Applicants must already hold a four-year bachelor’s degree. They must be involved in professional activities. They must also have a minimum GPA of 3.0. Finally, they must include a counselor educator reference.
Contact
MSCA Potential School Counselors Scholarship
200 First Street NW
Sebeka, MN 56477
(218) 837-5101 ext. 217
rkern@g.sebeka.k12.mn.us
16. NBCC Foundation Military Scholarship
Deadline: October 31st
The National Board for Certified Counselors Foundation is probably your best source for scholarships. It’s the United States’ largest provider of scholarships for school counseling. It has nine available programs. The Military Scholarship awards $8,000 annually. The scholarship goes to five former active-duty Armed Forces personnel and spouses. They must be pursuing a CACREP-accredited master’s degree in counseling. Eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens. Military scholarship applicants must have received honorable discharge in the past five years. They must intend to pursue NCC certification, and be committed to the mental health profession. The rural scholarship is another great option if you meet the requirements. It’s also an $8,000 scholarship.
Contact
NBCC Foundation Military Scholarship
3 Terrace Way
Greensboro, NC 27403
(336) 232-0376
foundation@nbcc.org
17. OSCA Graduate Student Scholarship
The OSCA Graduate Student Scholarship awards three $1,000 scholarships every year. Two are available to every applicant. One is available only to applicants of underrepresented groups. Graduate students enrolled in online programs are only eligible if that online program is through an Ohio institution. In order to be eligible graduate students must have already completed six semester hours of graduate work. Students must also maintain an active OSCA membership. Graduate students will write a double spaced, one-page essay answering the question: “How do school counselors utilize leadership, advocacy, and collaboration to effect system change in schools to maximize student success?” Students must also submit a copy of official graduate school transcripts to prove their 6 completed credit hours. They must also include a professional letter of support written by a current academic adviser or professor.
Contact
OSCA
PO Box 537
Archbold, OH 43502
(614) 401-4642
osca@ohioschoolcounselor.org
18. Ruth C. Stacy Counselor Scholarship
The Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation funds the Ruth C. Stacy Counselor Scholarship for $6,000 annually. It’s for New Yorkers who are accepted into accredited master’s programs for clinical mental health or school counseling. The school must first be accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Then it must be accredited by either The Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York, or by CACREP. Applicants must reside in Chautauqua County. They must provide documentation of a bachelor’s degree. They must submit three professional references and carry a cumulative GPA above 3.0. They must plan to become certified K-12 counselors.
Contact
Ruth C. Stacy Counselor Scholarship
212 Lake Shore Drive West
Dunkirk, NY 14048
(716) 366-4892
vhowell@nccfoundation.org
19. Stephanie Nicole Ross Foundation Scholarship
The Stephanie Nicole Ross Foundation honors the 25-year-old University of South Florida alumna and case manager. She was fatally attacked during a home visit. Carrying on her fascination with the human brain, the Foundation presents one annual $1,500 scholarship to graduate students. They must be studying cognitive/behavioral sciences. This includes any psychology or counseling program, at any accredited Florida university. Applications must include a current CV. They must provide their transcript. They must also write a short essay response to a question of the foundation’s choosing.
Contact
Stephanie Nicole Ross Foundation Scholarship
4202 E. Fowler Avenue
Tampa, FL 33620
(813) 974-2492
snrfoundation@outlook.com
20. Tomorrow’s Counselor Essay Competition
Annually, the American Counseling Association hosts the Tomorrow’s Counselor Essay Competition. It provides a grand prize scholarship of $500 and runner-up award of $250. Eligible are United States graduate students who are attending CACREP-accredited programs. The programs must be for clinical mental health or school counseling. They must be in good academic standing. Essay submissions will concisely describe how incoming leaders must respond to changing client needs across the lifespan. The essay must 3,200 characters or fewer.
Contact
Tomorrow’s Counselor Essay Competition
6101 Stevenson Avenue Suite 600
Alexandria, VA 22304
(800) 347-6647
essaycontests@counseling.org
The U.S. News and World Report recognized school counselors for having the #9 best social service job with a mean annual wage of $56,490. Budget cuts are affecting hiring, but school counselors report a below-average unemployment rate of 3.3 percent. School counseling degrees can be excellent investments for compassionate professionals who thrive when interacting with youngsters. However, being able to afford CACREP-accredited training after four years of undergraduate education is challenging. Get help making ends meet by applying for grants, fellowships, and these scholarships for school counseling.
See also:
10 Best Deals on Online Master’s in School Counseling Degree Programs
20 Highest Paying Bachelor Degrees
This concludes our ranking of top school counseling scholarships.
GCD staff, 2023