ALBANY — The State University of New York has begun recruiting for the State University of New York/Office of Mental Health (OMH) Scholarship Program.
Established in August 2022 by Governor Kathy Hochul with $4 million in federal investment, the program will support students in mental health degree programs by providing scholarships, paid internships, and tuition for graduate school applicants. We offer exemptions and more. It focuses on services for individuals who may have historically lacked quality mental health care and has the potential to positively impact the quality of mental health care for all New York State residents. It attracts, retains, and graduates students trained in a variety of mental health professions. Care.
“In recent years, the stigma surrounding mental health has diminished, and as a result, more Americans, including students at New York University in New York, are seeking care. The mental health field is predicted to grow significantly by 2032. We must prepare a workforce of better and more diverse professionals,” State University of New York President John B. King Jr. said in a news release. “Students are more likely to seek mental health services when they encounter a diverse community of practitioners from diverse backgrounds. This scholarship will help make it easier for everyone to earn a mental health degree.” , will address this issue.”
Students can apply for the scholarship at https://www.suny.edu/diversity/mentalhealth-scholarship/.
To be eligible for the scholarship, students must major in a mental health field leading to a career as a mental health professional, reside in New York State, and have a good academic record (cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher). there is.
Eligible students must maintain full-time status in a mental health career major and be a sophomore undergraduate or first-year graduate student with at least sophomore status.
The scholarship provides tuition, room, board, and fees for up to three years. Undergraduate scholarships are up to $9,000 per year and graduate scholarships are up to $15,000 per year, depending on need. We encourage students from all backgrounds to apply. Preference will be given to candidates from low-income families, first-generation college students, veterans, AmeriCorps graduates, students who have overcome adversity, and bilingual/multilingual students.
As part of the program, SUNY collaborates with the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) to reach all New York State residents by addressing the barriers and needs of historically underserved populations. improving the quality of mental health care. mental health services, including a shortage of bilingual/multilingual clinicians;
Greater access to a diverse workforce increases patient/client satisfaction, engagement, and retention in care. In addition to the scholarship program, SUNY regularly invests nearly $10 million each year from his 2023-24 budget to help state-run campuses expand mental health services to students.
