Affording master’s or doctoral tuition after funding four undergraduate years can be tough without aid from scholarships for marriage & family therapy.
Degrees in marriage and family therapy are valuable for developing the counseling skills to resolve issues affecting relationships, such as addiction, anxiety, infidelity, and child behavioral disorders. There are currently over 110 COAMFTE-accredited programs training mental health practitioners for the in-demand Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist credential. The BLS projects that 10-year job growth will surpass 15 percent for at least 5,000 LMFT new jobs nationwide. Marriage and family therapists can open private practices or work in hospitals, outpatient centers, clinics, residential care facilities, and school systems.
Keep your vocational calling in reach financially by perusing the following 20 MFT scholarships for graduate school.
1. AAMFT Minority Fellowship Program
Deadline: January 31st
The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Research & Education Foundation hosts the Minority Fellowship Program yearly to provide stipends from $6,600 to $36,000 as well as lifetime mentoring to master’s and doctoral students of color. Eligibility criteria includes enrolling full-time or part-time for an accredited MFT degree, being U.S. citizens or permanent residents, having AAMFT membership, and showing commitment to serving ethnic minority populations.
Contact
AAMFT Minority Fellowship Program
112 South Alfred Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 838-9808
foundation@aamft.org
2. Behavioral Health Academic Scholarships
Deadline: May 31st
The American Addiction Centers (AAC) offers three Behavioral Health Academic Scholarships for $2,500 and $5,000 to full-time or part-time undergraduate and graduate students who are pursuing careers in the mental health arena. Accepted majors include counseling, marriage and family therapy, social work, psychology, addiction studies, and nursing. Hopeful entrants must submit a first-person, 500-word essay about the challenges of getting addicts into treatment.
Contact
Behavioral Health Academic Scholarships
200 Powell Place
Brentwood, TN 37027
(888) 606-1763
tdriggers@contactaac.com
3. Clinton E. Phillips Scholarship Fund
Deadline: January 5th
The California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) created the Clinton E. Phillips Scholarship Fund to gift $4,000 yearly in honor of a therapy pioneer who led the American Institute of Family Relations. Qualified members must be U.S. citizens living in California, attend a COAMFTE-accredited graduate school, pursue a master’s or doctorate in marriage or family therapy, display high academic achievement, and participate actively in community service.
Contact
Clinton E. Phillips Scholarship Fund
7901 Raytheon Road
San Diego, CA 92111
(858) 292-2638
scholarships@camft.org
4. Courtland C. Lee Multicultural Excellence Scholarship
Deadline: December 5th
Valued at $2,500, the Courtland C. Lee Multicultural Excellence Scholarship is bestowed yearly by the American Counseling Association (ACA) Foundation to recognize graduate students majoring in clinical mental health, school, or marriage and family counseling for counselor education. Eligible current or prospective PhD candidates must be affiliated with accredited U.S. colleges, have academic merit, and display excellence in multicultural practice. There’s also the Tomorrow’s Counselor Essay Competition.
Contact
Courtland C. Lee Multicultural Excellence Scholarship
6101 Stevenson Avenue
Alexandria, VA 22304
(703) 823-9800
membership@counseling.org
5. Creekmore and Adele Faith Scholarship
Deadline: July 15th
At Texas A&M University-San Antonio, the Creekmore and Adele Faith Scholarship covers the tuition of five courses for legal Texas residents pursuing the Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy program with the Military Emphasis. Interested TAMUSA Jaguars must be entering full-time study, show commitment to earning LMFT licensure, hold a cumulative 3.0 GPA or better, and receive at least a “B” in military concentration courses.
Contact
Creekmore and Adele Faith Scholarship
One University Way
San Antonio, TX 78224
(210) 784-2525
katrina.cook@tamusa.tamus.edu
6. Eugene R. Bonynge Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: July 31st
The Woodland Center sponsors the Eugene R. Bonynge Memorial Scholarship for $1,000 to financially support graduate students from west-central Minnesota who are studying behavioral sciences, including marriage and family therapy. Applications are only accepted from Chippewa, Kandiyohi, Lac Qui Parle, Meeker, Renville, and Swift counties. Other criteria includes enrolling full-time in accredited master’s or doctoral training, carrying a 3.0 GPA or better, and being dedicated to rural mental health practice.
Contact
Eugene R. Bonynge Memorial Scholarship
517 North 17th Street
P.O. Box 187
Montevideo, MN 56265
(320) 269-6581
7. Future Counselors of America Scholarship
Deadline: June 30th
Marriage and family majors would be ideal candidates for the $1,000 Future Counselors of America Scholarship, which is gifted by the website DatingAdvice.com yearly. It’s designed for United States bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral students with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or greater who plan to practice relationship counseling. Online application instructions include submitting an original essay between 500 and 900 words about psychological issues unique to online dating.
Contact
Future Counselors of America Scholarship
15 SE First Avenue Suite B
Gainesville, FL 32601
(888) 217-5962
contact@datingadvice.com
8. Gallagher Health Careers Scholarship
Deadline: May 5th
Launched in 2001 by Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., the Gallagher Health Careers Scholarship receives over 300 applications yearly for the competitive $7,500 prize. Qualified candidates must be college seniors entering their final two semesters, attend accredited U.S. colleges on-campus with a 3.0 GPA or higher, and work towards a bachelor’s degree in healthcare fields. Previous winners have majored in music therapy, child development, psychology, marriage and family therapy, and nursing.
Contact
Gallagher Health Careers Scholarship
500 Victory Road
Quincy, MA 02171
(617) 770-9889
info@gallagherstudent.com
9. Heartland Counseling Center Scholarship
Deadline: July 1st
Each Summer, the Heartland Counseling Center (HCC) confers a $1,000 scholarship to master’s-level students who are attending Missouri universities full-time for CACREP-accredited education in mental health, marriage and family, or community counseling. Accepted schools include Missouri State, Southeast Missouri State, Truman State, Central Methodist, and Webster. For consideration, submit an original essay between 1,500 and 2,500 words about how social media affects relationships.
Contact
Heartland Counseling Center Scholarship
2909 Independence Street
Cape Girardeau, MO 63703
(573) 803-1246
info@HeartlandCounselingCenter.com
10. Jewell L. Taylor Graduate Fellowship
Deadline: January 9th
The American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences awards the Jewell L. Taylor Graduate Fellowship for $5,000 to fund full-time, graduate-level study in family and consumer sciences or closely related fields, such as marriage and family therapy. Interested AAFCS members must be U.S. citizens or nationals, attend accredited graduate schools, excel academically with a minimum 3.0 GPA, display leadership capacity, and attach at least two recommendations.
Contact
Jewell L. Taylor Graduate Fellowship
400 N. Columbus Street Suite 202
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 706-4600
awards@aafcs.org
11. Josie Torralba Romero Scholarship
Deadline: April 1st
Named after the National Latino Behavioral Health Association’s (NLBHA) first President, the Josie Torralba Romero Scholarship provides $1,000 for Hispanic students from New Mexico who are studying behavioral science majors like psychology, substance abuse, or marriage and family therapy. To qualify, Latinos must engage in full-time study with 12+ credits, attend accredited U.S. colleges, complete at least 24 volunteer hours, file the FAFSA form, and submit two academic references.
Contact
Josie Torralba Romero Scholarship
1155 University Blvd. SE
Albuquerque, NM 87106
(505) 980-5156
admin@nlbha.org
12. Lindsey Hoskins & Associates Scholarship
Deadline: January 1st
Lindsey Hoskins & Associates, a Maryland-based couples therapy clinic, presents a $500 scholarship yearly to inspire the next generation of mental health practitioners. Eligible U.S. bachelor’s or master’s students must be enrolled full-time in marriage and family therapy, counseling, art therapy, pastoral counseling, clinical social work, or related majors. Emailed applications must feature three 250-word short answer responses detailing your career goals and interests in relational therapy.
Contact
Lindsey Hoskins & Associates Scholarship
4905 Del Ray Avenue Suite 301
Bethesda, MD 20814
(240) 752-7650
hello@lindseyhoskins.com
13. Master’s Counseling Success Scholarship
Deadline: June 5th
At Capella University, the Master’s Counseling Success Scholarship grants $4,000 per year for incoming graduate students choosing an eligible counseling major, including the COAMFTE-accredited M.S. in Marriage and Family Counseling/Therapy. Applicants must hold a four-year bachelor’s degree, present a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7, be accepted into the Harold Abel School of Social and Behavioral sciences, pass their first course upon attempt, and have unmet financial need.
Contact
Master’s Counseling Success Scholarship
225 South 6th Street, 9th Floor
Minneapolis, MN 55402
(844) 279-7386
14. NBCC Foundation Rural Scholarship
Deadline: November 15th
The National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) Foundation offers nine potential scholarships for marriage & family therapy, including the $8,000 Rural Scholarship. This merit-based program selects graduate students who are pursuing CACREP-accredited master’s degrees, live in rural communities identified by the HRSA, committed to earning board certification, and building careers with under-served rural populations. Also consider the Foundation’s Military Scholarship, GDCF Scholarship, and Minority Fellowship.
Contact
NBCC Foundation Rural Scholarship
3 Terrace Way
Greensboro, NC 27403
(336) 232-0376
foundation@nbcc.org
15. Paul L. Walker Merit Scholarships
Deadline: May 1st
As one of the few MFT full tuition scholarships, the Paul L. Walker Merit Scholarships are awarded to six incoming students at Richmont Graduate University who are earning the Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy. Eligible M.A. applicants must carry a minimum undergrad GPA of 3.5, present GRE scores of 1200 or better, exhibit maturity in Christian service, have research competence, and study full-time in Atlanta or Chattanooga.
Contact
Paul L. Walker Merit Scholarships
1900 The Exchange SE
Atlanta, GA 30339
(423) 648-2668
rshellabarger@richmont.edu
16. Roy Scrivner Memorial Research Grant
Deadline: November 1st
Worth $11,500 total, the Roy Scrivner Memorial Research Grant is bestowed by the American Psychological Association (APF) annually to post-graduates who are conducting empirical research applying to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender family therapy. Chosen behavioral science students must be endorsed by accredited U.S. institutions, have academic and research merit, and show strong commitment to LGBT relational issues. A maximum seven-page proposal is required with a budget, advisor reference, and IRB approval.
Contact
Roy Scrivner Memorial Research Grant
750 First Street NE
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 336-5843
foundation@apa.org
17. Ryo and Jean Komae Scholarship
Deadline: February 20th
The Asian American Christian Counseling Service (AACCS) established the Ryo and Jean Komae Scholarship to honor two second-generation Japanese-Americans who owned Gardena Pharmacy and taught in the LA Unified School District. Graduate applicants earning a COAMFTE-accredited marriage and family therapy degree in Los Angeles, Orange, or San Bernardino counties could quality. Other requirements include having Asian heritage, attaining a minimum “B” average, professing the Christian faith, and agreeing to 15+ volunteer hours.
Contact
Ryo and Jean Komae Scholarship
2550 W. Main Street Suite 202
Alhambra, CA 91801
(626) 457-2900
scholarship@aaccs.org
18. Sandra Koscielniak Graduate Scholarship
Deadline: September 22nd
The Sandra Koscielniak Graduate Scholarship awards $1,000 from the Association of Illinois Township Committees on Youth (AITCOY) each year to financially help master’s students studying social work, psychology, counseling, family therapy, or recreation in the “Land of Lincoln.” Accepted applicants must enroll at least half-time in graduate education, choose careers focused on youth, have previous work experience with children or families, display leadership attributes, and provide a 100-word personal essay.
Contact
Sandra Koscielniak Graduate Scholarship
313 Gale Street
Aurora, IL 60506
(630) 859-7501
scholarships@aitcoy.org
19. Stella Harper McNeil Scholarship
Deadline: February 15th
The College of Education and Psychology at the University of Southern Mississippi offers the Stella Harper McNeil Scholarship for $500 to $1,500 annually to full-time female undergrad or graduate students. Women should be earning the B.S. in Child and Family Studies, B.S. in Family and Consumer Sciences, M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy, or M.S. in Early Childhood Intervention with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better and good citizenship.
Contact
Stella Harper McNeil Scholarship
118 College Drive #5035
Hattiesburg, MS 39406
(601) 266-4679
20. Sweeney LeBlanc Scholarship Fund
Deadline: February 1st
The College of Health and Social Sciences at San Francisco State University manages the Sweeney LeBlanc Scholarship Fund to present $1,000 yearly to students pursuing the Master of Science in Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health (CRMH) or Marriage, Family & Child (MFT) Counseling. Suitable applicants must enroll for 7+ units per semester, sustain a minimum 3.0 GPA, have verifiable counseling/human services experience, and be dedicated to serving African American communities.
Contact
Sweeney LeBlanc Scholarship Fund
1600 Holloway Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94132
(415) 338-2005
rwill@sfsu.edu
Marriage and family therapy made CNN Money’s list of the “100 Best Jobs in America” with a median salary of $56,800 and top pay of $120,000. Graded A for benefit to society, MFT is a gratifying, in-demand “helping” profession devoted to keeping families strong through trying times. Managing your own stress with 6+ years of tuition bills can be hard though. Aspiring therapists need to create broad financial aid packages with free funds to navigate around debt. Along with these 20 scholarships for marriage & family therapy, consider the NHSC Loan Repayment Program.