Scholarships for Students with Mental Illness

If you suffer from mental illness or are currently seeing a psychologist, there are dozens of scholarships available to you. Your mental illness has a huge effect on how you learn so it’s important to know that there are resources out there that can help you succeed in higher education. 

College Raptor has put together a list of seven scholarships for students dealing with mental health issues so you have one less thing to worry about! Consider applying for these scholarships and then widen your search by using the College Raptor scholarship match tool.

1. Baer Reintegration Scholarship

Amount: $1,000

Deadline: January 31, 2024

Mr. Baer started the Baer Reintegration Scholarship as someone who struggled with mental health challenges himself. His condition forced him to leave school at Yale, but he became an extremely successful business owner after he returned home. 

Awarding $1,000, the scholarship aims to reintegrate students so they can achieve their goals with alleviated educational costs. Unlike many others, this scholarship opens itself to a wide range of educational goals. From GEDs to a master’s degree, you can apply no matter where you are in your educational career. 

To qualify, you must be suffering from schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or schizoaffective disorder and be seeing a doctor for treatment. Applicants are also asked to participate in reintegrative efforts in their own area, which can include programs through work, school, or volunteering. The scholarship requires an essay, as well as three references, and evidence of your tuition fees to attend the school.

2. Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. Disability Scholarship Program

Amount: $1,000

Deadline: October 1, 2023

The Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. Disability Scholarship Program is open to those who have a chronic medical condition, mental illness, learning disability, physical disability, or behavior disorder. Other issues may be eligible as well, but you should follow up with the sponsor.

One student will win $1,000 if selected by the committee. Although Buckfire & Buckfire is located in Michigan, the scholarship is in fact open to all United States citizens. You must be attending an accredited college, have a diagnosed disability, illness, or disorder, and have completed at least one semester of your freshman year. You are eligible to apply for any of your remaining years at college too. 

Students should submit the form, an essay detailing how they overcame adversity, a most recent semester transcript, and diagnosis documentation. The law office also has two other scholarships, dedicated to those who pursuing medical or law degrees.

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3. Frederick J. Krause Scholarships

Amount: $1,000

Deadline: TBD for 2024 (Expect application to open in the fall)

The Frederick J. Krause Scholarship is open to college students who are at least in their sophomore year or are working towards their graduate degree. While graduating high schoolers who suffer from mental illness can’t yet apply, this may be one you want to save for later years. 

This scholarship is awarded through the American Association on Health and Disability (AAHD) and is open to students who have a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act. That includes mental and emotional as well as physical. Applicants must also work towards a degree in a health-related field (and more specifically one related to disabilities) and have volunteered in the past. Preference will be given to these students who meet these qualifications.

4. The Jaren Monroe Foundation Scholarship

Amount: $500-$2300

Scholarship Deadline: TBD for 2024

The Jared Monroe Foundation scholarship is for students who have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. This foundation is dedicated to raising awareness and support for people with bipolar disorder and wants to encourage students who are diagnosed that they can still live productive lives.

Eligible students must be attending a U.S. college, university, or graduate school on a full-time basis, have a diagnosis and treatment verification, a minimum GPA of 3.0, and submit the application paperwork by the deadline. 

Be sure to check back this fall for when the next round of applications opens up!

5. Mental Health Importance Scholarship

Award: $1,000

Scholarship Deadline: November 1, 2023

The Mental Health Importance Scholarship funded by Pettable is encouraging students to prioritize their mental health while they’re in college. Students don’t need an official diagnosis to apply and receive this scholarship, so we encourage all students who struggle with any form of mental illness to apply. 

6. Addiction Awareness Scholarship

Award: $1,500

Scholarship Deadline: November 30, 2023

Funded by Seasons in Malibu, the Addiction Awareness Scholarship is breaking the stigma around addiction. If you suffer from addiction or are affected by someone with addiction, you’re encouraged to apply for this scholarship. There are two awards each year so be sure to apply to both! Your essay should answer these questions: 

1. Why do you believe we as a nation are dealing with an addiction crisis?
2. What are the consequences of this addiction for the individual and society?
3. How can we remedy the crisis on both the individual and societal levels?

7. Elevate Mental Health Awareness Scholarship

Award: $500

Scholarship Deadline: November 30, 2023

The Elevate Mental Health Awareness Scholarship is dedicated to Calvin Rosser’s mother, Sheri Rosser, who struggled with her mental health and took her own life in 2017. Calvin hopes this scholarship brings more awareness to mental health and ultimately helps people who are suffering. He believes that when we bring the darkness to light, it will slowly fade. 

Students who apply will write an essay about their experience with mental health and its effects on their life. Students who work or volunteer at organizations for mental health support are encouraged to apply. 

Tips for Finding Scholarships for Students With Mental Health Issues

1. Discuss volunteer efforts in your application essay.
2. Share your career aspirations in your personal essay.
3. Talk about your favorite nonprofit organizations that are centered around mental health struggles.
4. Apply for both big and small scholarships—money is money when it comes to educational expenses. 

Finding funding when you’re suffering from mental health issues can be difficult. To discover more scholarships, start a search online using scholarship databases. 

Plus, you can use College Raptor’s new Student Loan Finder to discover personalized loan options. Compare lenders and interest rates to find the ideal student loan—for FREE.

 

Lender	Rates (APR)	Eligibility
	5.50%-16.12%* Variable 3.99%-15.61%* Fixed	Undergraduate and Graduate	VISIT CITIZENS
	5.54% - 15.70% Variable 3.99% - 15.49% Fixed	Undergraduate and Graduate	VISIT SALLIE MAE
	4.63% - 17.99% Variable 3.49% - 17.99% Fixed	Undergraduate and Graduate	VISIT CREDIBLE
	6.00% - 13.75% Variable 3.99% - 13.75% Fixed	Undergraduate and Graduate	VISIT LENDKEY
	5.66% - 14.72% Variable 3.69% - 14.56% Fixed	Undergraduate and Graduate	VISIT ASCENT
	3.70% - 8.75% Fixed	Undergraduate and Graduate	VISIT ISL
	5.62% - 16.85% Variable 3.69% - 16.49% Fixed	Undergraduate and Graduate	VISIT EARNEST
	5.00% - 14.22% Variable 3.69% - 14.22% Fixed	Undergraduate and Graduate	VISIT ELFI

College Raptor is not a loan lender and does not assume responsibility for suggesting a loan to a user who may not be eligible for it. Rates, terms, conditions, eligibility, approval, and other considerations are the decisions of the lenders and may vary depending on which lender or marketplace the user selects. We urge users to carefully consider and review all loan options and terms before committing to taking out a loan.