Financial Assistance

The program faculty of the Counseling program, in accordance with the University of Memphis Graduate School, are committed to students identifying and attaining sufficient resources to complete their Master of Science degree. Financial aid is available contingent upon need. Students should meet the following criteria when seeking financial aid: complete a federal financial aid application (FAFSA); complete one each graduate school and department enrollment application; be either an eligible non-citizen or United States citizen, not be in default on a federal loan, be unconditionally accepted and enrolled in the counseling program in pursuit of a specific degree; and be enrolled for a minimum of six hours per semester. Students also have the option of securing a loan or loans from private sources. Check with the Financial Aid Office on The University of Memphis campus for more details.

Scholarships and Funding

Students in the Counselor Education and Supervision Ph.D. program receive funding via Research and Teaching Assistantships. Our RAs and TAs receive tuition remission and a monthly stipend.

MDSS

Students from disadvantaged backgrounds in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program may apply for funding through the Memphis Disadvantaged Students Scholarship (MDSS) funded by the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Eligibility is based on HRSA criteria. Students funded by the MDSS must be enrolled full-time and in good academic standing. The MDSS pays all tuition and fees for 9-credit hours per semester and a small stipend. Contact Dr. Steve West for more information.

RSA Scholarship

Students in the Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling and Rehabilitation Counseling programs may apply for funding provided by the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA). The RSA Scholarship is intended to fund the tuition, fees, and stipends for master's students in either. The intent of the grant is to increase the number of rehabilitation counselors prepared to work in vocational rehabilitation settings. Students interested in this scholarship opportunity should contact Dr. Steve Zanskas for additional information.

ASPIRE Grant:

This is unique funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of Education, dedicated to supporting the next generation of robust Professional School Counselors-in-training. If you are within the last 24 credit hours of your school counseling degree (or school counseling certificate), consider applying for the ASPIRE grant.

The grant provides twenty-four (24) credit hours of tuition assistance, an annual stipend of $2,200, and full paid coverage of ancillary costs associated with field placements, such as your Tevera membership, Memphis-Shelby County Schools background checks, professional membership/liability insurance through ASCA, and one Praxis exam.

It is required that your practicum and internship placements will be with our partnering school district, Memphis-Shelby County Schools, so please note that requirement if you are interested in this funding opportunity.

Apply here, and reach out to Dr. Melanie Burgess with any questions!