Counselor Education Scholarships and Grants

The George W. and Mary T. Hood Scholars Program provides merit-based scholarships for outstanding graduate students in Stetson University’s Department of Counselor Education. Hood Scholars demonstrate academic talent, leadership qualities, altruism, and strong promise for meaningful contribution to the counseling profession.

Each year, the Department names a select group of George W. and Mary T. Hood Scholars through the Department’s scholarship review process. To be eligible, applicants must have completed a minimum of 18 graduate credit hours and be enrolled in the Master of Science program in either Clinical Mental Health Counseling or Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling for the following academic year. Hood Scholars receive a $1,000 scholarship and may be considered for continued scholarship support until graduation, contingent upon successful completion of coursework, continued enrollment, good standing in the Department, continued eligibility, and availability of funds.

The Hood Scholars Program is funded by the George W. and Mary T. Hood Endowed Fund. The deadline to apply is April 30, annually.

Applicants are reviewed holistically based on the following selection criteria:

1. Academic Talent and Excellence: Applicants should demonstrate strong academic performance and meaningful engagement in graduate counseling coursework. Evidence may include successful progress in the program, graduate-level writing and critical thinking, integration of counseling knowledge, ethical reasoning, and active engagement in applied learning, clinical skill development, or scholarly inquiry.
2. Leadership Qualities: Applicants should demonstrate leadership within the Department of Counselor Education, Stetson University, or the counseling profession. Leadership may be demonstrated through formal roles in student organizations, professional associations, department initiatives, or community partnerships, as well as through informal leadership such as dependability, initiative, encouragement of peers, constructive participation, and modeling professionalism.
3. Altruism, Service, and Contribution to Others: Applicants should demonstrate a commitment to the well-being of others through service, care, generosity, and positive contribution to peers, clients, communities, the department, or the counseling profession. Evidence may include volunteer work, advocacy, mentoring, community engagement, peer support, service-learning, professional involvement, or other activities that reflect altruism and a commitment to helping others.
4. Professional Promise as a Counselor: Applicants should demonstrate the personal and professional qualities expected of developing counselors. Evidence may include relational maturity, humility, respect, self-awareness, openness to feedback, ethical development, ability to work across differences, and promise for future contribution to clients, communities, and the counseling profession.
5. Good Standing and Continued Eligibility: Applicants must be in good standing with the Department of Counselor Education and Stetson University. Recipients must continue to make successful academic progress, remain enrolled in their counseling program, and meet departmental, university, and professional expectations. Hood Scholars may be considered for continued scholarship support until graduation, contingent upon successful completion of coursework, continued eligibility, and availability of funds.

Application portal opening soon

The Counselor Education Fellowship Award recognizes graduate students in Stetson University’s Department of Counselor Education who are actively contributing to the counseling profession through research, scholarship, community-based inquiry, or other approved forms of scholarly engagement.

Each year, the Department may name a select group of Counselor Education Fellows. Fellows receive funding to support approved research or scholarly activities, such as conference presentations, poster preparation, research materials, participant incentives, transcription, publication-related expenses, community-based scholarly projects, or other approved costs connected to the student’s scholarly work beyond the classroom.

The department anticipates awarding up to four Counselor Education Fellows annually at approximately $500 per fellow. The number and amount of awards may vary each year based on available departmental funds, the number of qualified applicants, and the strength of submitted proposals.

Applicants must submit a brief proposal describing the scholarly activity for which they are seeking funding, the purpose of the project or activity, the proposed use of funds, an anticipated timeline, and the expected scholarly or professional product resulting from the work. Examples of appropriate products may include a conference or symposium presentation, refereed journal manuscript, research brief, community report or needs assessment, program evaluation summary, scholarly advocacy resource, or another approved scholarly product.

Fellows are expected to provide documentation of the completed activity or product within one year of receiving the award. Documentation may include proof of conference presentation, a copy of a poster or presentation, a manuscript draft or submission confirmation, a completed research brief, a community-facing report, or another approved form of evidence. Fellows may also be invited to share their work with the Department of Counselor Education through a student research showcase, class presentation, newsletter feature, or other departmental venue.

The Counselor Education Fellowship Award is funded by the Department of Counselor Education.

Selection Criteria

Applications for the Counselor Education Fellowship Award are reviewed holistically by the Department of Counselor Education faculty. Strong applications will demonstrate the following:

1. Scholarly Purpose and Relevance: The proposed activity should have a clear scholarly or professional purpose and should relate meaningfully to counseling, counselor education, clinical practice, supervision, advocacy, assessment, mental health, marriage, couple, and family counseling, community engagement, or another area connected to the counseling profession.
2. Quality and Feasibility of the Proposal: Applicants should present a well-developed and realistic plan for completing the proposed activity. Strong proposals include a clear description of the project or activity, an appropriate scope, a feasible timeline, and evidence that the applicant is prepared to complete the work.
3. Proposed Use of Funds: Applicants should provide a clear explanation of how the requested funds will support the proposed scholarly activity. Appropriate expenses may include conference registration, travel, poster printing, research materials, transcription, participant incentives, publication-related costs, community-based project expenses, or other approved costs directly connected to the work.
4. Anticipated Scholarly or Professional Product: Applicants should identify the expected product or outcome of the funded activity. Examples may include a conference presentation, poster, manuscript, research brief, program evaluation report, community report, advocacy resource, professional training material, or another approved scholarly or professional product.
5. Dissemination or Departmental Contribution: Applicants should describe how the work will be shared with the department, university, community, or profession. Dissemination may include a conference presentation, manuscript submission, poster session, department presentation, newsletter feature, community report, classroom presentation, or another approved form of sharing the completed work.
6. Academic and Professional Standing: Applicants must be currently enrolled in a Master of Science program in the Department of Counselor Education, have completed at least 6 graduate credit hours, hold a minimum cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0, and be in good standing with the Department and Stetson University.

Application portal opening soon

Stetson University’s Department of Counselor Education has received renewed funding from the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training program to continue and enhance the Hatters Behavioral Health Coalition.

The Hatters Behavioral Health Coalition, or HBHC, prepares master’s-level counseling students to provide integrated behavioral health services in high-need communities through evidence-based, community-centered training. Through the program, students complete practicum and internship experiences at approved community partner sites that provide behavioral health care in interdisciplinary settings, including primary care, community clinics, hospitals, university counseling services, and other integrated care environments.

The renewed grant supports Stetson’s continued efforts to expand access to mental health care in underserved communities across Central Florida, with a special focus on Volusia and Orange counties. The program also strengthens partnerships with community agencies, supports training in trauma-informed and culturally responsive care, and prepares students to work effectively as part of interprofessional teams.

HBHC builds on Stetson’s commitment to preparing counselors who are clinically skilled, community-engaged, and responsive to the behavioral health needs of diverse populations. Since its initial funding in 2021, the program has supported student training, expanded community partnerships, and provided professional development opportunities for students, faculty, and site supervisors in areas such as integrated behavioral health, telehealth, motivational interviewing, trauma-informed care, and working with children, adolescents, and young adults. The renewed grant will allow the department to continue this work while expanding training opportunities and community partnerships.

Student Opportunities for 2026-2027

The Department of Counselor Education is currently recruiting students for the next HBHC cohort.

Students selected for the HBHC Program will complete their Practicum and Internship at an approved training site that offers experiential learning in integrated behavioral health. Students will also participate in HBHC training activities designed to prepare them for work in interdisciplinary behavioral health settings. These training activities count as indirect hours.

For the 2026-2027 recruitment cycle, the program will offer 11-12 training spots for students who will begin Practicum in Fall 2026, Spring 2027, or Summer 2027. Selected students will receive a $25,000 stipend for the training year.

Students who are not yet eligible for the 2026-2027 cycle should note that additional training spots are expected for the 2027-2028 and 2028-2029 training years. Openings for students beginning Practicum after Summer 2029 are dependent on future funding.

How to Apply

Students interested in applying to the HBHC Program should complete the following steps:

1. Complete the student application.
2. Send the faculty endorsement form to a faculty member, other than Dr. Bugni or Dr. Lindner, who can speak to your qualifications for the program and ask them to complete it.

For best consideration, students planning to begin Practicum in Fall 2026, Spring 2027, or Summer 2027 should submit materials by May 18, 2026.

Questions about the HBHC Program may be directed to Dr. Danielle Lindner at [email protected].

NBCC Minority Fellowship Program for MH Counselors 30 scholarships $10,000 each
Deadline: January

The NBCC Foundation is pleased to announce the application period for the National Board for Certified Counselors Minority Fellowship Program for Mental Health Counselors. This program is made possible by a grant awarded to the NBCC Foundation by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The NBCC Foundation will administer up to 30 masters-level counseling fellowships of $10,000, plus the travel expenses to participate in program-related training for mental health counseling students. The NBCC MFP helps ensure that the behavioral health needs of all Americans are met, regardless of language or culture, thereby reducing health disparities and improving overall community health and well-being. Minorities include but are not limited to racial, ethnic, cultural, religious, gender, sexual orientation, rural or military groups. By strategically promoting and providing fellowships to masters-level counseling students, the NBCC MFP strengthens the infrastructure that engages diverse individuals in counseling and increases the number of professional counselors.

AAMFT Research and Education Foundation's Fellowships Full Stipend, Education, Travel support 1 year
Deadline: January/February, annually

The AAMFT Research & Education Foundation exists to fund systemic and relational research, scholarship, and education in an effort to support and enhance the practice of systemic and relational therapies; advance the healthcare continuum, and improve client outcomes. The Minority Fellowship Program supports the training of culturally competent mental health and substance abuse researchers and practitioners. Minority Fellowship Program Youth Fellowship is for master's students interested in service provision to the nation’s youth.  The AAMFT/SAMHSA Minority Fellowship Program is open to all master's level students in Marriage and Family Therapy programs.

Interdisciplinary Minority Fellowship Program 
Deadline: January 15, 2022

The Interdisciplinary Minority Fellowship Program (IMFP) is a newly awarded, grant-funded program from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The purpose of the fellowship is to identify, select, and support the training of ethnic minority graduate students who commit to significantly improving the quality of care provided to ethnic and racial minorities who have a mental or co-occurring mental and substance use disorder.  The fellowship is directly related to efforts to reduce health disparities among ethnic minorities in the U.S. by filling a crucial need for mental health professionals in psychology, nursing, social work, marriage and family therapy, mental health counseling, and substance use and addiction counseling.

NBCC Military Scholarship   Military Scholarship (Master's) Scholarships up to $8,000 are available
Deadline: July 31 annually

The NBCC Foundation is pleased to announce the 2022 military scholarships for service members, veterans, and their spouses pursuing a career in professional counseling. The military scholarship was created to increase the number of counselors available to serve military personnel and families. These scholarships provide financial support to students who are currently enrolled in a Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Program (CACREP) accredited, master’s-level counseling program; are on active duty, have served in the military, or are a military spouse; and who commit to serving military personnel within one year of graduation for the duration of a minimum of at least two years post-graduation. 

NBCC Rural Scholarship  Rural Scholarship (Master's) Scholarships up to $8,000 are available
Deadline: July 31 annually

The NBCC Foundation is pleased to announce the 2022 rural scholarships for students pursuing a career in professional counseling. The rural scholarships were created to increase the number of counselors available to serve people in rural areas. These scholarships provide financial support to students who are currently enrolled in a Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)-accredited counseling master’s program, live in a rural area and commit to serving rural populations within one year of graduation for the duration of a minimum of at least two years post-graduation.

Clinton E Phillips Scholarship $4,000 average award
Deadline: November 5, 2022

California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists Educational Foundation. One-time award for licensed marriage and family therapists pursuing advanced training in an accredited or approved degree program in marriage or family therapy. Membership in the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists is encouraged and preference is given to its members. Must submit a transcript, essay and statement of financial need with the application.

CFAMFT $1,000 award
Deadline: November

Each year the Central Florida Association of Marriage and Family Therapy awards a scholarship to a deserving graduate student. This scholarship is known as the Generation to Generation Student Scholarship; Nurturing Professional Excellence. The Generation to Generation Student Scholarship; Nurturing Professional Excellence was named in honor of one of CFAMFT's former members who believed the fundamental motivation for the scholarship was to make a statement exhibiting a commitment to the future of marriage and family therapy. Students must be enrolled in a full-time graduate program in marriage and family therapy or a mental health counseling program with a systemic orientation. An essay topic will be selected by the board each year and needs to reflect a systemic approach in the response. The announcement of the essay competition is mailed out to all graduate programs at the start of the fall semester. Essays are reviewed by a committee of CFAMFT members. Once a decision is made, the recipient is notified, as he or she must be present at the holiday breakfast in order to be appropriately honored.

ACA Member Scholarships $100 Honorarium
Deadline: December

The American Counseling Association Graduate Student Ethics Awards for Master's Degree Students recognize exceptional, demonstrable understanding of the American Counseling Association Code of Ethics, the foundation of ethical professional counseling practice. Each student team member must be currently enrolled in good standing in a master's degree program in counseling or counselor education and must be enrolled for a minimum of three credits during the term when the competition will take place.