American Counseling Association Scholarships: A Comprehensive Guide

Earning a graduate degree in counseling can present a significant financial challenge. Fortunately, numerous scholarship opportunities exist to alleviate this burden for aspiring counselors. This article explores a range of scholarships and awards associated with the American Counseling Association (ACA) and other related organizations, offering a comprehensive guide for students seeking financial assistance.

ACA Awards and Recognition

The American Counseling Association offers several prestigious awards and recognitions that can significantly benefit its members. These include the ACA Fellows Award and the Courtland C. Lee Multicultural Excellence Scholarship Award.

ACA Fellows Award

The ACA Fellows Award is a distinguished honor conferred upon ACA members who have made substantial contributions to the counseling profession throughout their careers. This award acknowledges ACA members of professional distinction for significant and unique contributions to the counseling profession on a national level. ACA Fellows have a record of demonstrated success, and their work has an enduring impact. While the quantity of one's work (e.g., the number of leadership positions, publications, classes taught, clients served) can be an important factor, this award recognizes those who have gone beyond quantity and provided quality work that has influenced, changed, and significantly advanced the counseling profession and/or counselor practices through their professional practice; scholarly achievement; leadership and governance; and/or teaching, training, supervision and mentoring.

Candidates are evaluated by the ACA Fellows Selection Committee, comprised of nine ACA Fellows who are current ACA members. These committee members are appointed by the President and serve three-year terms.

The prize for the ACA Fellows Award includes complimentary registration for the 2026 ACA Conference and Expo (April 9-11, 2026, Columbus, Ohio) and recognition during the event. The submission deadline is Monday, November 4, 2024, and award notifications are sent out the week of January 12, 2026.

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The Courtland C. Lee Multicultural Excellence Scholarship Award

The Courtland C. Lee Multicultural Excellence Scholarship Award is presented to a graduate student in counselor education whose dedication and academic work demonstrate excellence in the theory and practice of multicultural counseling.

Awarded by Courtland C. Lee, professor in the Counselor Education Program at the Washington, D.C., campus of The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, the award is given to help defray the cost of the awardee’s graduate education.

To be eligible, the nominee must:

Be a student pursuing a graduate degree in counseling at any time during the period of July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025.
Be nearing completion of an accepted thesis, dissertation or original manuscript on issues related to the counseling profession.
Include a two-page summary of the thesis, dissertation or original manuscript.
Include at least one letter of recommendation the advisor of the thesis, dissertation or manuscript indicating the time line for completion, quality of the research, status of the project and degree of contribution to the counseling profession.
Nominations must come from an ACA member.
The awardee must be an ACA member.
An individual can only be nominated for one award per year.

Nomination submissions will be evaluated on the basis of the relevance and importance of the issue studied to the counseling profession, quality of scholarship, originality, applicability of findings or results and adherence to proper style and source citation requirements.

The awardee receives a $2,500 honorarium and complimentary registration for the 2026 ACA Conference and Expo (April 9-11, 2026, Columbus, Ohio), with recognition during the event. The submission deadline is Monday, November 3, 11:59pm ET, and award notifications are sent out the week of January 12, 2026.

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The total submission package for this award cannot exceed 16 pages in length. All nomination materials must be combined into one document (all formats accepted), with the nomination letter first.

Each nomination must include a two-page summary of the nominee's thesis, dissertation or original manuscript that demonstrates the scholarship of the nominee. Indicate if the manuscript has been submitted and/or accepted for publication. Also include a letter from the advisor of the thesis, dissertation or manuscript indicating the time line for completion, quality of the research, status of the project and degree of contribution to the counseling profession.

Supporting materials: Include a nominee biography and at least one letter of recommendation in support of the nomination from others familiar with the nominee and her or his accomplishments. If there are additional materials (news reports, journal articles, etc.) that you feel help support the nominee’s achievements, please include a copy of them. You may also include a copy of the nominee’s curriculum vitae (CV) or resume of no more than four pages, highlighting the nominee’s relevant accomplishments.

Additional Scholarship Opportunities

Beyond the ACA's direct offerings, several other organizations and foundations provide scholarships for counseling students. These scholarships often have specific criteria and focus on supporting students from diverse backgrounds or those committed to serving particular communities.

NBCC Foundation Scholarships

The NBCC Foundation scholarships provide financial support to master’s- and doctoral-level counseling students who are committed to serving traditionally vulnerable communities. By providing scholarships and fellowships, the Foundation increases the number of counselors committed to helping underserved communities, including, but not limited to, youth, older adults, rural or inner-city communities, and/or military-connected communities.

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General Scholarships and Grants

Minority Fellowship Program (MFP): Awards up to 80 masters-level minority fellows each year and is funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
Davis-Putter Foundation: Supports people working towards social and economic justice.
Pride Foundation: Offers over 60 scholarships to support students pursuing post-secondary education, including any graduate school.
Scott and Paul Pearsall Grant: Grants graduate students working to increase awareness of stigma towards people with physical disabilities.
David H. and Beverly A. Barlow Grant: Supports graduate students who are researching anxiety and anxiety related disorders.
Services for Transition Age Youth Fellowship: Supports students pursuing their master’s in mental health services.
Violet and Cyril Franks Scholarship: Supports student research and projects that aim to reduce the stigma of mental illness.
Hispanic Scholarship Fund: For students of Hispanic heritage working towards a university degree.
Grungo Colarulo Giving Back to the Community Scholarship: For students enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program in the US and have a minimum GPA of 3.0.
This scholarship supports students pursuing a master’s in counseling, psychology, mental health counseling, and clinical psychology.

Counseling-Specific Scholarships

Nassau Counselors Association: Supports students pursuing a master’s degree in counseling.
Harvey Neal Kretzer Scholarship: Awarded to graduate students at Youngstown State University in Ohio.
Melanie Foundation Scholarship: Supports students who align with Melanie Merola O’Donnell’s legacy of helping others through wisdom and compassion.
Betty W Robbins Endowed Scholarship: Funded by The National Association of Junior Auxiliaries, which addresses the needs of children and youth.
Henry and Susanne Clay Scholarship: Awarded to members of Michigan School Counselor Association who are earning an advanced degree in school counseling.
Cheryl Hamel School Counselor Scholarship: Awarded to students pursuing a master’s in elementary or secondary school counseling at West Chester University.
Lloyd A. Stone School Counseling Scholarship: Awarded to students pursuing a masters in school counseling at Emporia State University.
Ohio State Counselor Association (OSCA) Graduate Student Scholarship: Awarded to two students in school counseling programs in Ohio.
Sandra Koscielniak Graduate Scholarship: Awarded to students pursuing a masters in social work, counseling, psychology, or family therapy with a focus on youth in Illinois.
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority: Awards graduate students enrolled in a counseling degree program an award between $500-$1000 each year.
Nancy Howell Scholarship: Awarded to two graduate students each year - one pursuing a master’s and one pursuing a doctoral degree in counseling.

Awards

ACA Tomorrow’s Counselor Awards: Technically not a scholarship, but a yearly award for students preparing for counseling careers with excellent academic standing.

Tips for Applying for Scholarships

Applying for scholarships can be a competitive process. To maximize your chances of success, consider the following tips:

Meet the Eligibility Criteria: Carefully review the eligibility requirements for each scholarship before applying. Ensure that you meet all the criteria, including GPA, enrollment status, and program of study.
Craft a Compelling Personal Statement: The personal statement is your opportunity to showcase your passion for counseling, your experiences, and your goals. Be authentic, specific, and demonstrate how the scholarship will help you achieve your aspirations.
Obtain Strong Letters of Recommendation: Request letters of recommendation from professors, supervisors, or mentors who know you well and can speak to your academic abilities, character, and potential as a counselor.
Highlight Relevant Experiences: Emphasize any experiences that demonstrate your commitment to counseling, such as volunteer work, internships, or research projects.
Pay Attention to Deadlines: Mark the application deadlines on your calendar and submit your application well in advance to avoid any last-minute issues.
Proofread Carefully: Before submitting your application, proofread it carefully for any errors in grammar, spelling, or punctuation.

The Importance of Supporting Counselors-in-Training

Supporting counselors-in-training is crucial for the future of the counseling profession. Scholarships and financial aid play a vital role in ensuring that talented and dedicated individuals can pursue their education and contribute to the well-being of communities. By investing in the next generation of counselors, we can address the growing need for mental health services and promote positive change in society.

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