Counseling Degree Programs Online with Financial Aid

Program Profiles: Counseling Programs with Financial Aid

Financial aid such as loans and scholarships can make a counseling program more affordable. Receiving financial aid is quite common; 72% of undergraduate students received some sort of financial aid in 2020, according to theNCES.

However, how much financial aid a school provides can vary. Over 90% of students in counseling programs receive aid at some schools, while that number is less than 20% at other schools. We listed some of the best online counseling programs that offer financial aid below. We’ll also discuss tips on how to maximize your chances of receiving more scholarships, grants, and student loans.

Financial Aid Eligibility and Application Checklist

Each opportunity for financial assistance has its own unique requirements. But, many share similar features. You should know about the process of filling out financial aid applications. This will save time and headaches. The checklist below is a great place to start.

Complete the FAFSA Early

Most financial aid opportunities require students to fill out a FAFSA form. It’s a government-produced form that allows students and their families to report earnings, debt, and other important financial information.

Private organizations, universities, and government bodies use the FAFSA to award need-based financial aid. Filling out the form is free and can bedone online.

Review Eligibility Criteria and Requirements

You need to determine if you’re eligible for a specific monetary award before you spend time and effort applying for it. Read each application carefully and note the specific requirements you need to meet. Then, tailor your application to those requirements.

You might find a scholarship that is designed specifically for teachers who want to become a school counselor. In that case, you should reference your experience as a teacher and explain why you’re switching careers. You can use that information in the essay that is required for the scholarship application (if applicable).

Check Deadlines and Apply Early

Most financial aid opportunities have strict deadlines. Note them in a calendar or planner to ensure you meet each deadline. Start the application process early so you have as many opportunities as possible. This will reduce stress and give you ample time to gather any application components that are required.

Gather All Necessary Documents

After you mark financial aid deadlines on a calendar, you should gather the necessary documents. Each application might ask for different components. Typically, essays, short-answer questions, official transcripts, financial information, and details about your graduate program might be required.

Preparing this information early can make the application process less stressful. Sometimes, you can reuse personal statements and essays to help save time and energy.

Receive Feedback on Supplemental Materials

Ask a professor, a friend who is applying to graduate school, or a family member to review supplemental materials like an essay or a statement of purpose. If you’re enrolled in an undergraduate program or graduate school, your university might offer services and support. For example, someone at a writing center can review your supplemental materials.

Review Award Letters

Typically, if you receive a monetary award that can be applied toward a counseling program, you’ll receive a letter that details your financial aid package. This letter might give information about the scholarship amount and its allowable uses. Look holistically at the entire financial aid package for each program and then choose an affordable option and a curriculum that aligns with your academic goals.

Common Funding Options for Counseling Students

Financial aid comes in a variety of forms, and keeping them straight can be confusing. Fortunately, the three most popular types of aid from private and public institutions can be understood easily. Continue reading to learn more about why scholarships, grants, and loans are excellent financial aid options for counseling students.

Federal Student Aid

Student loans are the most common type of financial aid. For example, if a program costs $20,000 but you can’t pay that fee up front, you can take out a loan for part or all of that amount and pay it back later with interest. Student loans have lower interest rates than regular loans and are usually considered “good debt” because they don’t impact your ability to get a mortgage, qualify for a credit card, or make other financial decisions.

Both federal and private student loans are available. Pell Grants are another type of federal student aid. Students do not need to pay back these funds. They are typically given to students who demonstrate financial need.

Institutional Aid

Scholarships from higher education institutions are among the most common forms of financial aid for counseling students. A school might offer grants and work-study programs, as well. Students might receive these funds based on their field of study, merit (academic standing), financial need, or a combination of all three.

Schools often consider students automatically for merit-based scholarships. However, students must apply for other financial aid opportunities by a specific date.

Payment Plans

Counseling students need a graduate degree to practice in the field. So, taking advantage of payment plans can help ease the financial burden of their education. Some schools offer payment plans to help make education more affordable for students in various financial situations.

Rather than paying tuition in a lump sum at the beginning of each semester, payment plans spread the cost out in several installments over a specified period of time, typically with little interest.

Scholarships and Grants

A scholarship is a monetary award based on academic merit, financial need, or a combination of the two. Sometimes, students must meet additional requirements, such as studying a certain field or residing in a specific state. Scholarships are awarded by universities, state or federal governments, and/or private institutions.

Counseling students are often eligible for degree-specific scholarships that are designed for both education programs and counseling/mental health programs.

Grants are awarded to students who excel academically or stand out professionally. Like scholarships, grants are monetary awards that can be used for tuition and other expenses; students don’t need to pay them back. Unlike scholarships, grants often come with certain requirements. For example, students might be required to teach undergraduate courses or help out in a lab.

Grants are commonly awarded to counseling students who are pursuing either a master’s degree or a PhD. Many PhD programs offer a full tuition waiver as part of their grant awards. Often, students must complete specific tasks to obtain a grant. So, finding one that aligns with your professional goals is important. For example, if you want to conduct research on mental health counseling, a grant that requires you to help a professor with research might be a better fit than a grant with a teaching requirement.

Examples:

American Psychological Association

• Amount: Varies
• This organization offers several grants, awards, and funding. Its website compiles a variety of monetary awards that are designed for students who work in the counseling and psychology fields. Students can find scholarships and grants for research and study-related travel, for example, by putting various criteria into the search fields.

NBCC Foundation

• Amount: Varies
• The NBCC Foundation provides scholarships and fellowships to counselors-in-training. This is intended to increase the number of counselors who are committed to helping underserved communities. The Foundation offers funding to counseling students who are pursuing a master’s degree or a doctoral degree. It also offers professional training awards to students who are seeking a credential through the Center for Credentialing & Education.

Find more scholarships for counseling students.