Mental Health Scholarships

The most prevalent mental health issue in the U.S. is anxiety. Anxiety disorders make up almost 20% of mental illnesses in the US.

A common source of anxiety for students is money. College is expensive, so many students borrow student loans to cover tuition and living expenses. To help, some institutions offer scholarships for students with depression, anxiety, and other types of mental illness. This guide covers your options.

Scholarships for mental illness

Some organizations offer scholarships to students who experience any mental illness. Others are designated for those who experience a specific ailment, such as anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder.

• Scholarships for people with bipolar disorder or manic depression
• Scholarships for people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Other scholarships for people with mental illness and anxiety

2 scholarships for people with bipolar disorder or manic depression

1. The Center for Reintegration Scholarship
   This scholarship is explicitly for students who are being treated for or involved in rehabilitative efforts for their bipolar disorder or schizoaffective disorder. It is available to both part-time and full-time students in an undergraduate or graduate program, regardless of their course of study.
2. The Jared Monroe Foundation Scholarship
   This scholarship provides up to $2,300 to high school seniors and full-time college students who have been diagnosed and are currently receiving treatment for bipolar disorder.

3 scholarships for people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

1. The John Lepping Memorial Scholarship
   This scholarship provides up to $5,000 to US citizens residing in New York, New Jersey, or Pennsylvania. The scholarship is available to anyone who has experienced a physical or mental disability, including spinal cord injuries, loss of a limb, or PTSD.
2. The Liberty University Heroes Fund Scholarship
   This scholarship offers assistance to veterans pursuing an associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degree, or a professional certificate. Recipients must meet one of the following requirements:
   • Receive a Purple Heart
   • Rated 50% – 100% disabled by the Department of Veterans Affairs for combat-related PTSD
   • Rated 50% – 100% disabled by the Department of Veteran Affairs for combat-related injuries, illnesses, or conditions
   • Have a spouse killed in action during one of the Gulf Wars.
3. The Colorado Technical University Patriot Scholarship
   This scholarship offers assistance to a student at Colorado Technical University. Applicants should be active-duty service members or veterans who are receiving medical treatment for service-connected disabilities, such as PTSD.
   Spouses and dependents of eligible servicemembers and veterans can also apply. The scholarship awards full tuition at the university, a new laptop, and copies of necessary textbooks.

13 other scholarships for people with mental illness and anxiety

1. The Andrew Q. Peschard Memorial Scholarship
   This scholarship offers $1,000 each year to a student graduating from a high school located in San Mateo County, California. While applicants need not have received treatment for a mental health issue, the application essay should relate a life challenge that impacted their emotional and mental wellbeing.
2. The Quell Foundation Survivor Scholarship
   The Quell Foundation offers multiple mental health scholarships. This scholarship offers up to $1,000 to college students with a 3.40 GPA who have lost a parent, caregiver, or sibling to suicide.
3. The Quell Foundation Fighter Scholarship
   The Fighter Scholarship offers up to $1,250 to students with a diagnosed mental health condition. Recipients must have a 3.2 GPA and maintain at least part-time enrollment in their college.
4. The Quell Foundation Student-Athlete Fighter Scholarship
   This scholarship is designated for student-athletes who have been diagnosed with a mental health condition. To be eligible, the student-athlete must have a 3.2 GPA. The scholarship awards up to $1,250.
5. The Quell Foundation Bridge the Gap Scholarship
   This scholarship supports students who attend college to pursue a degree in mental health care. It offers up to $1,500 and requires that recipients maintain a 3.7 GPA.
6. The Google Lime Scholarship
   A partnership between Google and the Lime Network offers scholarships up to $10,000 for students studying computer science, computer engineering, or a closely related field. Canadian students can receive up to $5,000.
7. The Jack Scura Fund
   The Jack Scura fund offers scholarships up to $5,000 to students attending college in New Jersey. To be eligible, the student must maintain a 3.2 GPA and have “an intellectual disability, severe physical disability, or psychiatric disability.”
8. The Tommy Tranchin Award
   Students in North Texas can apply for the Tommy Tranchin Award, which offers up to $1,500 to students with a physical, mental, or emotional disability. Students between grades 8 and 12 are eligible and must submit an application that includes a proposal for an activity that will further their development in their field of interest.
9. The Wells Fargo Scholarship for People with Disabilities
   This scholarship is available to any student with a disability, whether it be a physical ailment or mental illness. The scholarship is available to high school seniors with a 3.0 GPA and offers up to $2,500 a year for up to seven years.
10. The Buckfire & Buckfire P.C. Disability Scholarship
    This scholarship is available to US citizens who have completed at least one semester of college and who have received a diagnosis of disability, whether it be physical or mental. The scholarship awards up to $1,000.
11. The JED Student Voice of Mental Health Award
    This scholarship awards up to $3,000 to students with a mental illness who work on their campus to create a dialogue about mental illness and reduce the stigma surrounding mental conditions. Recipients also receive an invitation to an annual gala held in New York.
12. NBCUniversal Tony Coelho Media Scholarship
    This scholarship honors Tony Coelho, a US Representative from California who authored the Americans with Disabilities Act. It offers more than $5,000 to students with disabilities who are pursuing a career in media, entertainment, or communications, regardless of their course of study or major.
13. The Microsoft Disability Scholarship
    This scholarship awards $5,000 a year for four years to high school seniors with a disability, whether it is mental, physical, or otherwise. The student must declare a major in engineering, computer science, computer information systems, law, business, or a related field, demonstrate a passion for technology, maintain a 3.0 GPA, and require financial assistance to attend college.

Accommodations for students with mental health disorders

College can be difficult at the best of times, but mental illness often makes it more difficult. Even students who earn scholarships may worry about maintaining the necessary grades to retain them.

Remember, you’re not alone. Many others have and are experiencing similar struggles as you, and many colleges want to help you achieve your educational goals. To assist those with mental illness, universities offer academic accommodations for students with psychiatric disabilities.

Look into whether your college has a Disability Resource Center (DRC) or similar office, and reach out to discuss your options. Your DRC will keep your discussions confidential and can help advocate for the accommodations that you need.

This can include accommodations and assistance such as:

• Assistance taking notes
• Additional time to complete tests
• A separate room for taking exams
• Tutoring
• Taking a reduced course load

Our expert’s advice

Chloe Moore

CFP®

Mental health scholarships, like many scholarships, can be competitive. Be sure to confirm the requirements before you apply to ensure you meet all the criteria. If the scholarship requires an essay, use this space to point out your strengths, personal experiences, and how the scholarship will help you achieve your goals.

You should also speak to your academic advisors, so they understand your situation. They’ll be able to assist you with finding the right course of study and help you handle a leave of absence if you need to take a semester off of school to work on your mental health.