Top 19 Mental Health Scholarships in December 2023

Easy scholarship open to all high school and college students, as well as anyone looking to attend college or graduate school in the next year. Niche is giving one student $50,000 to help pay for tuition, housing, books and other college expenses — no essay required!

Sallie Mae will award $2,000 each month to eligible entrants. No essay or account sign-ups, just a simple scholarship for those seeking help paying for school.

Open to high school students, college students, community college students, and graduate students.

Are you enrolled in a federally recognized tribe and pursuing a career in social work, behavioral health, or therapy? If so, the Terry A. Greendeer Behavioral Health Wing Dedication Scholarship may be a great opportunity for you. This scholarship pays tribute to the legacy of Terry A. Greendeer, a revered Ho-Chunk tribal member who dedicated over 27 years of her life to serving her Nation in various roles. Ms. Greendeer played a pivotal role in the growth and advancement of the Behavioral Health Division, tirelessly bringing vital services and resources to tribal communities, and implementing enduring procedures and practices that continue to shape the Health Department today. In honor of her contributions, this scholarship aims to empower Native American high school and undergraduate students who share her fervor and are pursuing a career in social work, behavioral health, or a therapy program. To apply, share how your education will empower you to uplift and support your community.

The Elizabeth Schalk Memorial Scholarship is a beacon of hope for those who have experiencedmental health issues, not only providing financial support for such students' education but also commemorating the enduring spirit of Elizabeth Schalk, who courageously battled mental illness throughout her life. The scholarship is open to high school seniors, undergraduates, and graduate students, offering an opportunity for those who have personally experienced mental illness or have witnessed its impact on their loved ones. To apply, share your unique journey and the profound effect mental illness has had on your life and relationships.

Are you a post-secondary student in the U.S. who has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or schizoaffective disorder? If so, consider applying for the Baer Reintegration Scholarship! Multiple applicants are awarded scholarships each year, with the amounts varying based on one’s financial need. The scholarship is offered by the Center for Reintegration, a non-profit organization “committed to helping people with mental illnesses pursue a meaningful life through reintegration.” Reintegration refers to the process through which individuals with mental illnesses find pursuits meaningful to them, restore relationships, and move toward independent living.  If you’re a college student diagnosed with any of the above-mentioned disorders, the Center for Reintegration would love to help you pay for college! We encourage you to apply.

Introducing the FHE Health "Hope for Healing" Scholarship, a great opportunity for those seeking to become behavioral health professionals. FHE Health annually offers two $5,000 scholarships to encourage America's best and brightest students to pursue a rewarding career in addiction and mental health treatment. One scholarship is awarded to college-level applicants, and the other is for graduate-level applicants. To qualify, applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher and be enrolled in a four-year degree program or show proof of acceptance to an institution that offers four-year degrees. Academic focus in mental and behavioral health or psychiatric nursing is required. Applications will be reviewed for performance, quality of essay, and potential for positive impact on the field of mental and behavioral health. Veterans, minorities, and people with disabilities who meet the above requirements are also encouraged to apply.

Do you have a personal story or researched information that you can share about addiction? If so, consider applying for the Addiction Awareness Scholarship. The Addiction Awareness Scholarship is open to high school and university students who are pursuing any major and who can shed light on the issues of addiction. The scholarship is offered by Seasons in Malibu, a highly-rated rehabilitation center in Malibu that provides comprehensive, evidence-based treatment to individuals seeking transformative care for addiction and/or mental health disorders. Their scholarship is offered bi-annually, with the cycles running from January to May and July to November, respectively. Each cycle, winning applicants will receive $1,500 in scholarships to help them pay for their college costs. If this sounds like a good opportunity for you, we encourage you to apply!

Introducing the Elevate Mental Health Awareness Scholarship, a tribute to Sheri Rosser, a remarkable woman who inspired her son, Calvin Rosser, to champion mental health. This scholarship aims to raise awareness and encourage innovative solutions for the millions of people struggling with mental health. Open to all students, the only requirement is a personal experience with mental health challenges or close encounters with loved ones who have. Applicants must write an essay on how their experience has influenced their beliefs, relationships, and career aspirations. Bonus points for those who have volunteered or worked with organizations that support mental health. Let's bring mental health to light and make a difference!

The Pettable Mental Health Importance Scholarship aims to increase awareness of college students' mental health. It recognizes that taking care of one's mental well-being is crucial to academic success. College life can be challenging, and some students may struggle to find the support they need. We invite those who understand the significance of mental health to apply for this $1,000 scholarship. It is open to high school seniors, undergraduates, and graduate students.

The AACAP Ulku Ulgur, MD, International Scholar Award recognizes a child psychiatrist or physician in the international community who has made significant contributions to the enhancement of mental health services for children and adolescents. All even-numbered years awards will be given to applicants from Turkey. The award in all odd-numbered years (2019, 2021, etc.) will be given to students from any non-U.S. country. Applicants must be either a child and adolescent psychiatrist or a physician in the international community at the time of AACAPs Annual Meeting. Applicants from Turkey are defined as follows: Turkish living in Turkey, Turkish living abroad, Non-Turkish living in Turkey, or Non-Turkish people who did work in Turkey and are now living abroad. Keep on reading to learn more!

Have you been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder and are currently receiving treatment? If so, consider applying for the Jared Monroe Foundation Scholarship! The Jared Monroe Foundation Scholarship is open to graduating high school seniors and college freshmen, sophomores, and juniors who have Bipolar Disorder and are currently receiving treatment. Students' diagnoses must be verified through letters from their current therapists. The scholarship is offered by The Jared Monroe Foundation, an organization dedicated to fostering awareness, understanding, and support for those with Bipolar Disorder to ensure that they do not feel alone. Each year, the scholarship awards between $500 and $2,300 to help the selected recipients with their educational expenses. If you're a current or incoming college student with diagnosed Bipolar Disorder, we encourage you to apply!

The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) Irving Philips Award for Prevention recognizes a child and adolescent psychiatrist and AACAP member who has made significant contributions in a lifetime career or single seminal work to the prevention of mental illness in children and adolescents. These contributions must have national and/or international stature and clearly demonstrate lasting effects. The contributions may be in the areas of teaching, research, program development, direct clinical service, advocacy, or administrative commitment.

The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) George Tarjan, MD, Award for Contributions in Developmental Disabilities recognizes a child and adolescent psychiatrist and Academy member who has made significant contributions in a lifetime career or single seminal work to the understanding or care of those with developmental disabilities. These contributions must have national and/or international stature and clearly demonstrate lasting effects. The contributions may be in areas of teaching, research, program development, direct clinical service, advocacy, or administrative commitment. Nomination letters must be accompanied by a CV for the individual nominated.

The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) Norbert and Charlotte Rieger Service Program Award for Excellence recognizes innovative programs that address prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of mental illnesses in children and adolescents, and serve as model programs to the community. The monetary award is to be shared among the awardee and their service program. Nomination letters must accompany a CV and any support materials for the individual or organization nominated.

The AACAP Junior Investigator Award gives a reward of up to $30,000 a year for two years to one child and adolescent psychiatry early-career faculty (assistant professor level or equivalent). The program is intended to facilitate innovative research. The research may be basic or clinical in nature but must be relevant to our understanding, treatment, and prevention of child and adolescent mental health disorders. Applicants must be board-eligible or certified in child and adolescent psychiatry and have a doctoral level degree and be in a faculty or independent research position. Applicants who have served as Principal Investigator on an NIH R01 grant are not eligible. Applicants must also submit a CV and their mentor's CV or NIH Biosketch. Please visit the scholarship's website for detailed information and instructions.

Are you a student pursuing a graduate degree in mental health? If so, consider applying for the Melanie Foundation Scholarship! The scholarship is open to students pursuing a doctoral or master’s degree in the mental health field. It is offered by The Melanie Foundation, a non-profit organization established to provide assistance to graduate students obtaining their degrees in the mental health field. Created in 2006, the Melanie Foundation honors Melanie Merola O’Donnell, who died while receiving her doctoral degree in psychology. Today, the foundation gives back to the community by supporting aspiring mental health practitioners. Each year, one lucky recipient is awarded $2,500 to use towards their degree in the mental health field. If you are passionate about obtaining your grad degree in mental health, we encourage you to apply!

The JC Runyon Foundation Scholarship is funded by the JC Runyon Foundation, an organization that provides collegiate scholarships to students who have been affected by behavioral health disorders. Each year, their JC Runyon Foundation Scholarship awards grants of varying amounts to students who have been accepted to an undergraduate program and successfully completed an inpatient program dedicated to behavioral health. If this scholarship sounds like a fit for you, keep on reading for more application details.