Pursuing a degree in counseling can be the first step to a rewarding and fulfilling career, but financing your counseling degree can be a challenge. Fortunately, many organizations offer scholarships, grants, and loan programs designed to help aspiring counselors pay for their education.

Knowing the resources available to you as you plan to finance your graduate degree is key. Here are just some of the many scholarship and loan repayment opportunities dedicated to helping you pay for your master’s in counseling.

Scholarship Provider: Great Southwest Civitan Foundation

Info and Availability: The Ab Irvine Scholarship supports students whose career goals include working with children with special needs. It may be a fit for students pursuing counseling and other helping professions. Eligibility generally includes a minimum GPA requirement, residency within the Great Southwest District, and enrollment in an eligible college or university. Because award amounts, number of recipients, and application details may change from year to year, students should review the official scholarship materials for the most current information before applying

Scholarship Provider: Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund

Info and Availability: The Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund provides need-based support to students who are actively engaged in social justice or progressive causes. Both undergraduate and graduate students may be eligible. Because award amounts and eligibility details can change, students should review the official scholarship page for the latest requirements and application information.

Scholarship Provider: Unigo Group

Info and Availability: The Flavor of the Month Scholarship is open to eligible students who plan to attend or are attending an accredited postsecondary institution. Applicants are asked to submit a short response to an essay prompt inspired by ice cream flavors and personality. Since age requirements, deadlines, and enrollment terms may change over time, students should check the official scholarship listing for the most current details.

Scholarship Provider: Hispanic Scholarship Fund

Info and Availability: The Hispanic Scholarship Fund supports students of Hispanic heritage pursuing undergraduate or graduate education. Scholarships may be available to students who meet HSF’s academic, residency, and enrollment requirements. Because award amounts, citizenship categories, and application requirements can change over time, students should review the official HSF scholarship page for the most current eligibility details and deadlines before applying.

Scholarship Provider: Hawai’i Community Foundation

Info and Availability: The Ida M. Pope Memorial Scholarship has been described as supporting women of Hawaiian ancestry pursuing degrees in fields such as education, health, science, counseling, or social work. Because Hawai‘i Community Foundation manages many scholarship funds through a centralized application system and individual fund details may change or be harder to verify publicly, students should use the foundation’s scholarship portal and current scholarship resources to confirm whether this fund is currently available and to review the latest eligibility requirements

Scholarship Provider: Japanese American Citizens League

Info and Availability: The JACL National Scholarship Program offers multiple scholarship opportunities for students, including graduate students. Eligibility generally includes JACL membership and enrollment or planned enrollment at an eligible institution in the United States. Because scholarship categories, deadlines, and program requirements may change from year to year, students should review the official JACL scholarship page for the most current application information.

Scholarship Provider: The Kosciuszko Foundation

Info and Availability: The Kosciuszko Foundation offers tuition scholarships for U.S. students of Polish descent pursuing graduate study at colleges and universities in the United States. Scholarship support is awarded on a competitive basis, and eligibility, award ranges, and application details may change over time. Students should review the official scholarship page for the most current requirements and deadlines before applying.

Scholarship Provider: The Melanie Foundation

Info and Availability: The Melanie Foundation Scholarship supports students pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree in a mental health field through a graduate program in the United States. Eligibility generally includes enrollment in an accredited program and demonstrated involvement in volunteer, extracurricular, research, or other career-related activities. Because application requirements, accrediting bodies, and deadlines may change, students should review the official scholarship page for the latest details before applying.

Scholarship Provider: National Association of Junior Auxiliaries

Info and Availability: The NAJA Graduate Scholarship Program supports graduate study in fields that address the special needs of children and youth, including counseling and related disciplines. Eligibility generally includes plans to work directly with children or youth and residency in a state served by a Junior Auxiliary chapter. Because award amounts, eligible states, and application requirements may change from year to year, students should review the official scholarship page for the most current information before applying.

Loan Provider: National Health Service Corps

Info and Availability: The National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program provides student loan repayment assistance to eligible licensed health care professionals, including behavioral health providers, who commit to serving at an approved site in a Health Professional Shortage Area. Participants generally complete a service commitment at an NHSC-approved location, and both full-time and half-time service options may be available. Because award amounts, eligible disciplines, and service terms can change over time, students and professionals should review the official program page for the most current requirements and application guidance.

Scholarship Provider: National Board for Certified Counselors Foundation

Info and Availability: The NBCC Foundation Military Scholarship supports master’s-level counseling students who are connected to the military community and plan to serve military service members, veterans, and their families through the counseling profession. Eligibility generally includes enrollment in an eligible counseling program and military-connected status, such as service member, veteran, or spouse. Because scholarship amounts, number of awards, eligibility terms, and application cycles may change, applicants should review the official NBCC Foundation scholarship page for the latest information before applying.

Scholarship Provider: National Board for Certified Counselors Foundation

Info and Availability: The NBCC Foundation Minority Fellowship Program for Addictions Counselors supports master’s-level students preparing to serve historically underserved communities through addictions counseling. Eligibility generally includes demonstrated commitment to working with underserved populations and enrollment in an eligible addiction counseling or related graduate counseling program. Because fellowship amounts, population focus, citizenship or residency requirements, and program eligibility standards may change over time, students should review the official fellowship page for the most current application details before applying.

Scholarship Provider: National Board for Certified Counselors Foundation

Info and Availability: The NBCC Foundation Minority Fellowship Program for master’s-level mental health counseling students supports future counselors who are committed to serving historically underserved communities. Eligibility generally includes enrollment in an eligible counseling program and a demonstrated commitment to working with underserved populations. Because fellowship amounts, enrollment requirements, population focus, and application details may change over time, students should review the official fellowship page for the most current information before applying.

Scholarship Provider: National Federation of Republican Women

Info and Availability: The NFRW National Pathfinder Scholarship has historically supported women pursuing undergraduate or master’s degrees. However, the current official NFRW scholarship page appears to be behind a login, and I could not find a publicly available, up-to-date application page with current eligibility details. Because public information appears limited, students should use the official NFRW scholarship page or contact the organization directly to confirm whether the scholarship is currently open and to review the latest requirements.

Scholarship Provider: Pride Foundation

Info and Availability: Pride Foundation offers scholarships to LGBTQ+ students from Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington pursuing postsecondary education. The program prioritizes students facing barriers to educational access and those demonstrating leadership and community commitment. Because scholarship amounts, eligibility details, and application timelines may change from year to year, students should review the official scholarship page for the most current information before applying.

Scholarship Provider: American Psychological Foundation

Info and Availability: The Scott and Paul Pearsall Grant supports graduate students and early career professionals whose work seeks to increase public understanding of the psychological pain and stigma experienced by adults living with visible physical disabilities. Eligibility and application details may change over time, so students should review the official grant page for the most current information before applying.

Information last updated: March 2026