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The World Health Organization reports that one in seven teens aged 10-19 is facing a mental disorder, accounting for 15% of the total burden of disease within this age group.
According to specialists, adolescents are facing emotional, eating, behavioral, and other types of disorders that can significantly impact their daily lives. These students tend to underperform academically and find it hard to fit in the school community. These and other challenges can keep them from enrolling in colleges or make them feel incredibly anxious about it.
Scholarships for students with mental illness are designed to encourage these students to receive their education and support them along the way. At the same time, these scholarships are meant to spread awareness about mental problems in adolescents.
The Importance of Mental Health Scholarships in Today’s World
Regardless of the type of disorder, students with mental problems often find it hard to succeed in school. They tend to have poor attendance, score low grades, and face many other challenges. Not because they don’t want to perform well. But mostly because their conditions may not let them explore their full potential.
Yet, the statistics are as follows:
- Up to 14% of adolescents with mental issues score mostly Ds and Fs in school.
- Only 32% of students with significant mental challenges opt for higher education.
- 25% of students who struggle mentally dropped out of college.
Of course, mental illness scholarships can’t fix the deeply rooted problem. Yet, they perform a number of crucial roles. First and foremost, these scholarships are aimed at encouraging young people with mental challenges to continue their education and helping them find enough motivation for it. Also, these scholarships are there to eliminate stigma, enhance awareness, and aid mental health advocacy in learning environments to help mentally disabled students find it easier to be understood and fit in.
Furthermore, these scholarships are meant to reduce the stress and pressure mentally disordered students may experience due to expensive college costs. With scholarships, they don’t have to worry about funding their studies.
3 Main Types of Mental Health Scholarships
Driven by a good cause, there are dozens of scholarships for students with mental health issues available. But not all of them are the same. The opportunities out there can vary significantly in terms of requirements and eligibility. Let’s look at the top three scholarship types you should know about.
Awareness-Driving Scholarships
Organizations that strive to boost mental health awareness and reduce the stigma around this topic offer scholarship opportunities for which, recipients don’t necessarily have to have a diagnosed condition but rather should be able to demonstrate a deep understanding of the importance of spreading mental health awareness and de-stigmatizing related disorders in society.
Condition-Specific Scholarships
Apart from awareness-spreading initiatives, there are also scholarship opportunities designed to support mentally ill students with a specific condition, help them access broader educational opportunities, and reduce the finance-related stress on their path. To qualify for these opportunities, applicants typically need to demonstrate an official diagnosis confirming their disorder.
Professional Growth Scholarships
Lastly, mental health scholarships might also be there to offer broader learning opportunities and subsequent financial support to aspiring professionals in related fields, such as psychology or psychiatry. These opportunities aim to ensure that there will be more qualified specialists to address patients with mental health issues.
20 Best Scholarships for Students With Mental Health Issues
Whether you’re a student mindful about mental health, an aspiring professional, or someone who is living with a mental disorder yourself, mental health issues scholarships can offer you an excellent opportunity to expand your academic options and fund your studies. All you need to do is find the right scholarships to apply for.
Continue reading to learn about the top 20 such scholarships that you can consider for yourself:
This scholarship is an initiative of The Center for Reintegration and Sidney R. Baer Jr. Foundation. It aims to support students affected by mental illness and help them continue their academic paths.
Amount: Determined on a case-by-case basis
Deadline: January 31
Requirements:
- Have an official bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or schizoaffective disorder diagnosis.
- Currently receive medical treatment for a diagnosed condition.
- Be an active member of rehabilitative or reintegration programs.
- Be 18 years old or older.
- Be a citizen or legal resident of the U.S.
- Have a completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Application process: Students need to complete an online application and submit an essay according to the given guidelines. Additionally, all applicants must submit three recommendations.
The Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. provides a special scholarship supporting students with various disabilities, including physical, behavioral, and mental. The scholarship is annual and awarded to one eligible student.
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: October 1
Requirements:
- Meet eligibility criteria.
- Be able to explain and confirm their disability.
Application process: Applicants must submit an online application and write a one-page essay reflecting how they overcame the challenges associated with their unique disability.
This opportunity is created by the Drake Davis Foundation. It was started after Drake Davis committed suicide in 2006 and aims to spread awareness about the problem and minimize suicide rates among young adults.
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: May 1
Requirements:
- Be a high school senior.
- Planning to enroll in a higher education facility.
Application process: To participate, seniors need to fill out and submit an online form, providing a copy of their transcripts and one letter of recommendation. Additionally, applicants need to submit a college acceptance letter and a 500-word essay written according to the given requirements.
This initiative is launched by the American Association on Health and Disability (AAHD). The Frederick J. Krause scholarship is awarded to students with disabilities whose degrees are focused on health and disabilities.
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: March 1
Requirements:
- A U.S. citizen or legal resident.
- Enrolled in a full-time undergraduate college program and currently be at least a sophomore.
- Have a confirmed disability that matches the definitions from the Americans with Disabilities Act with relevant documentation.
- Preferably majoring in disability, health, and related areas.
- Preferably demonstrating volunteering or community service experience.
Application process: To apply, students need to write a personal statement. Additionally, the application must include documentation of disability, a college transcript, and two letters of recommendation.
INCIGHT offers annual scholarship opportunities for students seeking to enroll in vocational schools, community colleges, universities, or graduate programs. The scholarship aims to help students with disabilities attain their goals and demonstrate their ability to succeed despite obstacles.
Amount: $500 (and increases for students who reapply)
Deadline: April 15
Requirements:
- Have a confirmed disability.
- Attend a higher education institution.
- Be a resident of Washington, Oregon, or California.
Application process: Applicants need to submit online applications providing their enrollment and disability verifications.
The JED Foundation provides a funding opportunity targeted toward students with an active position and voice who strive to spread awareness about mental health and related issues. The goal of this initiative is to de-stigmatize people with mental illness.
Amount: $3,000 + a trip to New York for a yearly gala and award ceremony
Deadline: February 23
Requirements:
- Be an undergraduate college student or a high school student studying in the U.S.
- U.S. citizen or legal resident.
- Demonstrate active participation in spreading awareness about mental health.
Application process: Eligible students must submit online entry forms along with a 2-3 minute video essay demonstrating their initiatives and future plans for improving awareness about mental health on campus and beyond. Additionally, students have to provide a personal summary and any additional materials showing their commitments.
The Mental Health America offers four unique scholarship opportunities for students of the Tarrant County:
- The Lezlie Culver Memorial Scholarship
- The Patricia Pownder Connolly Memorial Scholarship
- The Lillian Cooper Droke Memorial Scholarship
- The Linda Lyons Memorial Scholarship
All scholarships are aimed toward students completing education in psychology, social work, psychiatry, and related fields.
Amount: Up to $5,000 (Fall & Spring scholarships) and up to $2,000 (Summer scholarships)
Deadline: June 15 (Fall), November 15 (Spring), March 15 (Summer)
Requirements:
- U.S. citizen or legal resident located in the Tarrant County
- Enrolled in coursework in any of the eligible fields, such as social and behavioral sciences, social work, psychology, behavioral/cognitive neuroscience, mental health, etc.
- Demonstrate a good reputation in the college.
- Preferably have a GPA of 3.0 and higher (but not mandatory).
Application process: Applications are submitted via email. Students need to include a personal statement demonstrating their career aspirations in the selected fields and a 200-400-word essay about a personal experience related to mental issues and how it affected their life and career decisions.
The Peyton Tuthill Foundation annually provides its Hearts of Hope scholarship to students who have suffered the loss of a sibling or parent as a result of a homicide and are now suffering from mental challenges, such as PTSD, depression, and others.
Amount: $1,000 (per every year of schooling)
Deadline: June 1
Requirements:
- Be between 17 and 25 years old.
- Have experienced a loss.
- Have a demonstrated completion of a minimum of one year of grief counseling.
Application process: Students are required to write a personal lesson about the crime and loss they’ve faced, tell how it affected them, and reflect on the value of counseling.
The next opportunity was created to honor Tony Coelho, the main author and sponsor of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and a former Representative from California in the House. The scholarship seeks to reward eight undergraduate and graduate students who have to live with a disability.
Amount: $5,625
Deadline: May 8
Requirements:
- Be a high school senior or an undergraduate/graduate student planning to continue education during the upcoming fall.
- Have any disability.
- Demonstrate a desire to pursue a career in media, entertainment, or communications.
- Be enrolled in a U.S. college or university.
Application process: Applicants must submit their resumes along with current transcripts, one letter of recommendation, and three 300-word essays on provided topics.
The Jared Monroe Foundation provides annual scholarship opportunities to high school seniors, as well as freshmen, sophomores, and juniors currently in college. The goal of the program is to support students with Bipolar Disorder who need financial aid to attend college.
Amount: From $500 to $2,300
Deadline: May 1
Requirements:
- Have a diagnosed bipolar disorder and receive treatment.
- Be enrolled in an accredited college or university in the U.S.
- Have a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Application process: Students need to fill out an application form in Google Forms and submit it together with a letter from their healthcare provider and current transcript.
Liberty University has a special scholarship program to honor service members and veterans. Eligible students must be recipients of the Purple Heart award and be considered 50-100% disabled for “combat-related” conditions.
Amount: Covers remaining tuition and fees after military aid and financial aid
Deadline: Not specified
Requirements:
- Have received the Purple Heart.
- Rated 50-100% disabled by the injury, illness, or condition received in the combat. Or be a spouse of a soldier killed during a Gulf War.
- Seek education at Liberty University.
Application process: Applications and relevant documents are submitted online through the university website.
The next scholarship opportunity is provided by the Lep Foundation. It is meant to support students with disabilities, including physical and psychological. The scholarship is exclusive to residents of New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
Amount: Up to $5,000
Deadline: Not specified
Requirements:
- Have a diagnosed disability of any type.
- Demonstrate financial need.
- Be a resident of one of the eligible regions.
Application process: To apply, students must write a one-page essay telling their stories of disability and the effects it has on their families (especially financially). Additionally, students need to submit their transcripts, letters of recommendation, and documents from a physician.
This scholarship is offered by the family of Andrew Q. Peschard to show support to students who demonstrate exceptional resilience on their paths with mental illness and choose to pursue their academic goals in college.
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: Not specified
Requirements:
- Be a high school senior student.
- Have a diagnosed mental disorder.
- Be a student of a high school in the San Francisco Bay area.
- Enrolled in an accredited U.S. college or university.
Application process: Students who are eligible for this scholarship must submit online applications with personal essays that describe their mental health challenges and recommendation letters from teachers.
The Quell Foundation offers several scholarship opportunities to students in different situations. The foundation’s Fighter scholarship is meant for young people currently treated for a confirmed mental health problem.
Amount: Not specified
Deadline: Not specified
Requirements:
- Be a high school senior.
- Be currently enrolled in an accredited college or university.
- Have a diagnosed mental disorder and receive treatment at the moment.
Application process: Applicants should fill out online applications and attach their personal statements, current transcripts, and documents from a mental health professional.
Lime Connect is a global non-profit organization that offers a number of funding opportunities for students from different backgrounds. The Google Lime Scholarship is designed specifically for students with disabilities who study in the U.S. and Canada.
Amount: $10,000 (for the U.S.) and $5,000 (for Canada) + an invitation to the Google Scholars Retreat at the Googleplex and an opportunity to be considered for internships at Google
Deadline: Not specified
Requirements:
- Be a freshman/first-year student studying in the U.S. or Canada.
- Continuing the current program or enrolling in a different one for the time of scholarship awarding.
- Majoring in Computer Engineering or Computer Science (or a closely related discipline).
- Have a disability (visible or invisible).
- Demonstrate exceptional leadership skills, passion for technology, and a good academic standing.
Application process: Applications are received online. Students are expected to submit their up-to-date resumes and transcripts with one letter of recommendation and three essays demonstrating their passion for computer science.
This scholarship was created in memory of a beloved mother, Deena Collins, who was a strong woman dedicated to helping people in her society. The scholarship aims to support young female professionals who also strive to use their careers to help others.
Amount: $1,500
Deadline: December 6
Requirements:
- Be a female-identifying person.
- Currently be a high school student or studying in an undergraduate or graduate program in college or university.
- Currently majoring or planning to major in healthcare fields (including mental health).
- Enrolled in an educational facility in Kansas or Nebraska.
- A GPA of 3.0 or higher is a plus.
- Preferably planning to practice rurally to help communities with restricted access to healthcare.
Application process: To apply, students need to submit a form and write a 400-word essay telling why they have a passion for helping others and how they plan to make a difference in rural communities.
The next scholarship is also meant for women. Funded by the ADHD Advisor, it aims to support young women in their academic commitments and spread awareness about the importance of mental well-being for academic success to encourage female students to prioritize their mental health.
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: December 31
Requirements;
- Be a female student.
- Currently study as a high school senior or undergraduate or graduate student in college or university.
- Be a U.S. citizen or legal resident.
- Demonstrate awareness and dedication to one’s own mental health.
Application process: Applications are submitted online through trusted scholarship platforms. Along with their forms, students are expected to write an essay telling how their mental health affects their personal lives and success in school and what they do to actively prioritize it.
This opportunity is provided by the Dallas Foundation, which actually offers a long list of scholarships. The Tommy Tranchin Award, in particular, was designed to support high school students with intellectual, physical, or emotional disability.
Amount: Up to $3,000 (can be used toward any requested activity that aims to develop a student’s knowledge or skills in a chosen career field)
Deadline: Not specified
Requirements:
- Be a student in grades 8-12.
- Be located in North Texas.
- Demonstrate a strong desire to participate in an activity/program/project aimed at helping improve career-related skills or knowledge.
Application process: Participants must apply online. Additionally, after completing the requested activity, winners need to submit a complete report.
This annual opportunity is provided by the Jack Scura Fund and is meant to honor students with special needs to make them noticed and showcase their outstanding achievements. It’s designed for undergraduate students and high school seniors.
Amount: $10,000 ($5,000 for Fall and Spring semester)
Deadline: July 1
Requirements:
- A current student of an undergraduate program in a college or university in New Jersey.
- Be a high school senior already enrolled in an undergraduate program in New Jersey.
- Have a confirmed psychiatric, intellectual, or severe physical disability.
- Demonstrate a GPA of 3.2 or higher.
- Students with impressive resumes or Curriculum Vitae are prioritized.
Application process: To apply, students need to submit their transcripts, resumes, and two recommendation letters online. They also need to provide proof of their disability and write a 600-800-word essay that answers the question stated by the scholarship provider.
The Prochnow Foundation delivers an annual award to a selected, high-achieving student with a mental health issue. The goal of the program is to make education more accessible to mentally disabled students and help them accomplish their academic goals.
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: Not specified
Requirements:
- Have a confirmed mental health disorder.
- Be enrolled in a college or trade school.
- Demonstrate outstanding academic performance with a GPA of 3.5 or higher.
Application process: To get an award, students need to write a 250-500-word essay on their long-term professional and personal goals that also explains how they manage to perform excellently with a mental issue. Additionally, students need to provide a letter of recommendation, a college acceptance letter, and their transcript showing a high GPA.
Expert Tips to Help You Win a Mental Health Scholarship
As you see, the list of available mental health scholarships is rather long and there are opportunities tailored to different student needs and situations. But how do you apply and win?
We have a few tips that should help!
Carefully Study the Qualification Requirements
All scholarships for mentally disabled students have specific qualifications, which can include your location, citizenship, diagnosis, GPA, and so on. Applying to scholarships you don’t qualify for is a waste of time and a direct path to disqualification. So, before applying, research your options well to ensure eligibility.
Look for Opportunities That Align with Your Personal Experiences and Values
Regardless of their type, mental health scholarships are seeking to award applicants who are aware of mental health, understand its importance, and are advocating for de-stigmatizing mental health problems in society. Often, you will have to prove that you are a suitable candidate by writing an essay or going through an interview.
In any case, the best way to ensure that you have the highest chance of winning is to make sure that your personal beliefs, values, and experiences perfectly align with the stated purpose of the scholarship you are applying for. To do this, carefully read all purpose statements from organizations providing scholarships.
Be Authentic and Share Your Experience
Pretty much every scholarship opportunity aims to hear students’ unique stories and pick the ones that resonate with the scholarship’s purpose the most. That is, when applying for different funding opportunities, you will be expected to demonstrate your real personality and share your experience.
If you are dealing with mental illness yourself or have a story with someone who does, or maybe you’re actively advocating for mental illness awareness—in any case, use your experience in your application. Be ready to share your unique story. Make it authentic and personal by demonstrating how mental health experience or awareness has made you who you are today.
Don’t Stop With Just One Application
The best way to win a scholarship is to find an opportunity that perfectly matches your unique experience and story. But that doesn’t mean you can only apply for a single opportunity.
The truth is that when it comes to scholarships, the more applications you send out, the higher your chances of winning. So don’t rid yourself of potential opportunities. Do your research to select scholarships that suit you best, check eligibility, and make a list of all scholarships you want to apply for. Ideally, prioritize them based on how well they suit you. And then start applying to them all to increase the likelihood of winning.
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