Asian American Leaders in Mental Health

The Asian American Leaders in Mental Health Scholarship is open to Asian American and Pacific Islander students who will be pursuing a career in clinical mental health practice.

Eligibility

• Be a current graduate student enrolled in a counseling/counseling psychology master’s degree program with a pathway to counseling licensure or certification that will allow you to provide mental health services in the U.S.
• U.S. applicants of Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian Multiracial ethnicity as defined by the U.S. Census
• Have indicated a commitment to counseling communities of color and utilizing a social justice lens

Selection criteria

• Applications will be reviewed based on:
• Academic performance
• Essay response(s)
• Commitment to the field/passion for the work
• Service to the community and social justice
• Reference(s)
• Preference will be given to:
  • Applicants who are the first generation in their family to attend college or graduate school
  • Applicants who have completed a practicum or internship before applying

Award details

• Scholarship Range: $500 – $1,000
• Typical Number of Awards: 1
• This scholarship is a one-time award. However, past recipients and applicants are encouraged to reapply each year in a competitive process. Previous recipients are not guaranteed an award upon re-application.
• Award amounts may be used toward recipient’s tuition, fees, room and board, books, supplies, and other qualified educational expenses
• All scholarships will be paid directly to a recipient’s post-secondary institution. Award disbursement is contingent upon the outside scholarship policies of a recipient’s post-secondary institution
• Award must be used for the upcoming academic year

How to apply

1. Read through the eligibility criteria above to confirm you meet the requirements for this scholarship
2. Log into the TDF Scholarship Manager and apply for the Asian American Leaders in Mental Health Scholarship 2026
3. Prepare and submit the following items:
   1. Resume
   2. List of all paid/unpaid counseling experiences
   3. Practicum/Internship Syllabus (if applicable)
   4. Transcript
   5. Email address for 1-2 recommendations
      1. One required recommendation from a professor, academic mentor/leader, or your practicum/internship supervisor (preferred)
      2. Second recommendation is optional from a professor, academic mentor/leader, or your practicum/internship supervisor
   6. Response to the following prompt(s):
      1. This scholarship is intended to support emerging leaders in the AAPI community who are using their role as a counselor-in-training as a means of advancing mental health and social justice. How do you describe yourself in this role? We encourage you to reflect upon your lived experiences, strengths, and areas of growth as you consider your role in helping to elevate mental health and social justice as a community priority. (3,500 characters or approximately 600 words)
      2. How do your socio-cultural experiences influence your vocational aspirations? Socio-cultural experiences can include, but are not limited to, ethnics, multicultural, familial, intergenerational, etc. (3,500 characters or approximately 600 words)