Scholarships and Resources
for Behavioral Health Degree Programs
At The Recovery Village, highly-qualified addiction specialists and behavioral health professionals guide people struggling with drug and alcohol addictions to recovery. The future of the behavioral health industry will continue to be built by dedicated, compassionate individuals with a desire to help others find a better life.
Though we no longer offer a proprietary scholarship, many different scholarships are available to college students hoping to enter the counseling or healthcare fields. We encourage anyone who is interested in behavioral health to learn more about the majors, jobs and opportunities available to help them start on the path to a satisfying health care career.
Why Choose a Major in the Health Care Field
Working in the healthcare industry is often more than a career — it’s a calling. College majors in the health sciences, psychology, social work, nursing and pre-medical school paths like biology and chemistry prepare students for these rewarding and stimulating careers. Degrees and certifications in these areas come with significant benefits, including:
- A clear career path: Most health care majors offer less career uncertainty, with a definitive course load and path to job advancement. Required licenses, certifications, and hands-on training hours can prove your skills and experience to future employers.
- An impressive job outlook: Health care occupations are expected to grow 14% between 2018 and 2028, almost three times the average rate and more than any other occupational group. Further, health care positions are needed nationwide, so workers in this field can live virtually anywhere.
- A direct impact on others: Health care workers can see the objective and concrete impact they have on their patients’ lives, which can be immensely rewarding. People in health care professions are often reminded that the work they do matters.
Health care professionals enjoy a wide range of positions, specialties and workplaces to choose from, so prospective students can also find a niche that suits and fulfills them.
Why Choose a Career in Addiction
Addiction impacts every facet of a patient’s life: their physical and mental health, relationships, job outlook and overall quality of life. Substance abuse professionals help patients create a better future, free from drugs or alcohol. This work is indispensable to each patient they work with, providing health care, mental health counseling and social services to support a life-changing recovery.
Substance abuse is a massive problem in the United States. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, of the 19.9 million individuals (8.1% of the U.S. population) who needed substance abuse treatment in 2016, only 10.8% or 2.1 million received treatment at a rehab facility. The need for a new generation of addiction professionals is critical. Substance abuse and mental health counseling jobs, for example, are expected to grow 22% between 2018 and 2028.
Addiction treatment requires a variety of professional roles with different levels of expertise. People can work at hospitals, private practices, public and private rehab facilities, community centers, non-profits organizations and more. At a rehabilitation treatment facility like The Recovery Village, there are medical doctors, substance abuse counselors, mental health counselors, substance abuse nurses and behavioral health technicians, among others. Teletherapy is also growing in popularity.
Scholarships and Resources Available for Students
Scholarship opportunities are available to students to support this growing need for qualified substance abuse and mental health professionals. The following academic resources can help you pursue a healthcare career in these fields:
- American Society of Addiction Medicine Ruth Fox Scholarship
The Ruth Fox Memorial Endowment Fund helps physicians-in-training learn about the diagnosis and treatment of substance use disorders. Recipients participate in the Society’s Annual Conference and receive a three-year membership and discounts on ASAM courses and published texts. - The Melanie Foundation Scholarship
The Melanie Foundation’s mission is to foster support for mental health issues. This $2,500 scholarship is awarded to students pursuing a doctoral or master’s degree in the mental health field. - American Psychological Association Violet and Cyril Franks Scholarship
The APF Violet and Cyril Franks Scholarship supports graduate-level scholarly projects that use a psychological perspective to help understand and reduce the stigma associated with mental illness. The amount of the scholarship is $5,000. - NBCC Foundation Scholars and Fellows
The NBCC Foundation offers fellowships and scholarships for graduate students in counseling, training awards to individuals earning the BCC certification, and professional development awards to CCE credential holders. There are numerous scholarships and fellowships available. Applicants must show a commitment to underserved communities, including minority, rural or military communities. - National Institutes of Health Undergraduate Scholarship Program
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) offer competitive scholarships to students from disadvantaged backgrounds who are committed to careers in biomedical, behavioral, and social science health-related research. Scholarship recipients are required to complete a 10-week summer laboratory experience and are subsequently employed by the NIH. - CAMFT Educational Foundation Scholarships and Grant
The California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists Educational Foundation offers several scholarships and a grant for deserving candidates. Candidates may only apply to one scholarship or grant that is most appropriate to their work or studies. - American Psychological Association Grants, Awards and Funding Database
Students and working professionals can find research funding, scholarships, honors and awards from the APA and other psychology-related organizations. Searches can also be narrowed by recipient type, topic, sponsor or award type.
The Recovery Village Health Care Scholarship
The Recovery Village is dedicated to providing exceptional service at our alcohol and drug rehab facilities while providing unique opportunities for education and personal development. As part of this commitment, The Recovery Village offered a $1,000 scholarship to students pursuing a medical-related course of study for several years, ending in 2019 with Serina Sha.
Past entries have included personal recovery stories, accounts of family addiction or mental health conditions, and how these experiences have inspired a career in health care.
Past Winner
The 2019 winner of The Recovery Village Health Care Scholarship, Serina Sha, received $1,000 to cover educational expenses. Serena is participating in a dual bachelor and doctor of osteopathic medicine program at Nova Southeastern University. She hopes to become a psychiatrist in either a hospital or private practice.
Serina is also interested in working as a public health professional with wide-reaching organizations such as the National Institutes of Health, World Health Organization or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. From a research perspective, Serena hopes to expand on and contribute to the literature on evidence-based programs and treatment at organizations like the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
Serena submitted a personal essay outlining her experience with the medical field as it relates to mental health and addiction. In her essay, she states, “Medicine, whether it’s orthopedics or psychiatry, is simply about retrieving the patient’s confidence.”
“Because of Recovery Village’s help, I am able to focus more on my academic success instead of my financial obligations.” – Serina Sha
With a family connection to mental health, physical health and addiction, Serena is dedicated to empowering people to maintain health through psychiatric care. The Recovery Village looks forward to seeing the positive influence Serena can have on the world through her educational endeavors.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. “Findings from NSDUH reveal that only a subset of individuals receive services for substance use and mental health issues.” September 21, 2017. Accessed June 19, 2020.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Healthcare Occupations.” April 10, 2020. Accessed June 19, 2020.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors.” April 10, 2020. Accessed June 19, 2020.
