Master's Program

Scholarships

RMHC 2019 Scholarship Recipients

Click to learn more about our recent scholarship recipients.

As future leaders in the counseling field, we encourage our students to seek scholarship opportunities and apply for them. Click here for a working list of available scholarships along with a timeline of deadlines. During the application process, be sure to use resources at your disposal such as USF Career Services and faculty mentors to help you put forth the best application possible.

BHWET Scholar

BHWET Scholarship

The BHWET-USF program is expanding the behavioral health workforce through interdisciplinary training, integrating behavioral health with primary care, and increasing the number of field placements and internships focused on serving underserved populations in the Tampa Bay area. BHWET-USF scholars receive a one-year training in the principles and best practices of integrated behavioral Health (IBH) by completing didactic workshops and fieldwork experiences. Stipends are available through a federal grant from Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), United States Department of Health. View additional information.

 RSA Scholar

RSA Scholar Logo

At this time we are no longer accepting new applications for this grant. Funding has ended until a new award grant cycle becomes available. This grant provides scholarship opportunities for students beginning in 2016. Scholars will agree to work (for full pay and benefit) in the public, non-profit, or private vocational rehabilitation system after graduation for a designated period of time (typically 2-4 years) in exchange for tuition and other qualifying expenses. View additional information.

Spring 2023

Lynn Bartolotta Scholarship

Lynn was a student in the RMHC Masters program who passed away during her last semester in the program.  She was a top student and compassionate student counselor. Following her passing, the Lynn Bartolotta Scholarship was started by Lynn’s father to honor Lynn and to support current students in good standing who are experiencing significant financial need.

The award is based on the following criteria:

  • The student is currently enrolled in the RMHC Master’s program.
  • The student currently has at least a 3.2 GPA in the program, and has never been on academic probation.
  • The student is experiencing considerable financial hardship.
  • Following graduation the student intends to serve people who are typically considered underserved.

To apply:

Students should submit their CV or resume along with a statement of about 500 words describing their financial situation, career goals, and the specific ways in which they commit to using the scholarship to serve people who are typically considered underserved.

Note: This statement will be read/reviewed by the scholarship committee and may be presented to the entire faculty.  Otherwise the contents of the essay will be considered confidential.

Starting in the 2024-2025 academic year, the Lynn Bartolotta Scholarship will be awarded to one student, and the $4000 will be divided and distributed equally between Fall and Spring semesters.

DEADLINE for application: Midnight April 30, 2024

  • Incomplete or late applications will not be considered or reviewed.
  • Completed applications should be sent via email to Dr. Rick Weinberg at weinberg@usf.edu.
Scholarship Application

Calvin M. Pinkard Scholarship

Dr. Cal Pinkard was the founding Chair of the Rehabilitation Counseling Program at USF, where he served as chairman for 30 years. Upon his retirement, Dr. Pinkard was honored with a scholarship in his name for graduate students who were pursuing a degree in Rehabilitation & Mental Health Counseling and who were involved in community service activities.

This scholarship provides support for RMHC students who meet the following criteria:

  • The student must have a 3.2 GPA or higher.
  • The student must have been in the program for at least one year.
  • The student will provide a copy of their CV or resume.

Applicants must submit a statement of 500 words or less stating how they intend to use the funds and specifically how they commit to use their degree to benefit others in the community.  

Note: this statement will be read/reviewed by the scholarship committee and may be presented to the entire faculty.

Scholarship amounts vary from year to year and will be awarded for use in the Fall semester. Previous awards ranged from $50 to $400.

DEADLINE for application: Midnight, April 30, 2023

  • Incomplete or late applications will not be considered or reviewed.
  • Completed applications should be sent via email to Dr. Rick Weinberg at weinberg@usf.edu.
Scholarship Application

Susan D. Kelley RMHC Textbook Scholarship

Dr. Susan Kelley was a former Director of Graduate Studies and Interim Vice-Chair of the Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling Program at USF.  During her tenure at USF, Dr. Kelley was active in disability policy work, providing analyses and consultation to advocacy organizations, professional associations, and service providers concerned with the disability perspective in state and national health care reform.

This scholarship provides support to defray the cost of textbooks. The award is based on the following criteria:

  • The student has been enrolled in the RMHC program for at least one year.
  • The student is not currently on academic probation.
  • The student must be receiving Financial Aid.
  • The student will provide a copy of their CV or resume.

The student will submit a statement of 500 words or less stating their rationale for this need based scholarship.

Note: This statement will be read/reviewed by the scholarship committee and may be presented to the entire faculty.

Scholarship amounts vary from year to year and will be awarded for use in the Fall semester. Previous awards ranged from $50 to $400.

DEADLINE for applications: Midnight, April 30, 2023  

  • Incomplete or late applications will not be considered or reviewed.
  • Completed applications should be sent to Dr. Rick Weinberg via email weinberg@usf.edu.
Scholarship Application

Dr. Dae Sheridan Endowed Scholarship 

Dr. Dae Sheridan is an alumna of the CRMHC program.  Following her graduation she continued her studies and received a Ph.D. in Clinical Sexology.  Moved by a favorite quotation, “first you learn, then you earn, then you return”, Dr. Sheridan returned to the RMHC program where she taught Human Sexuality and mentored students for 15 years.  Upon retiring from teaching in the program, Dr. Dae said, “I knew I wanted to stay connected to the students and the CRMHC program.  Along with encouragement and mentorship, this scholarship is just another way for me to support these incredible students who have dedicated their lives to helping others.”  

This scholarship provides $1000 to two students each year.  Preference is given to first-generation students and CRMHC students who have demonstrated an intent to improve the fields of mental health counseling and human sexuality education.  The award is based on the following criteria:

  • The student has been enrolled in the RMHC program for at least one year.
  • The student is not currently on academic probation.
  • Preference is given to first-generation college students.
  • Preference is given to students who have demonstrated an intent to improve the fields of mental health counseling and human sexuality education.

Students applying for this scholarship should submit a statement of 500 words or less.  The essay should: 

  • state whether they are a first generation college student;
  • describe how they plan to improve the field of mental health counseling;
  • describe how they plan to further human sexuality education. 

Note: This statement will be read/reviewed by the scholarship committee and may be presented to the entire faculty.

Two $1000 scholarships will be awarded each year in the Fall semester.

DEADLINE for application: Midnight, April 30, 2023

  • Incomplete or late applications will not be considered or reviewed.
    Completed applications should be sent via email to Dr. Rick Weinberg at weinberg@usf.edu
Scholarship Application

Note:  In order to maximize the Departmental resources available to students and broaden the number of students receiving awards of any kind, students who have been awarded a Graduate or Research Assistantship in any USF Department (while enrolled in the RMHC program) are ineligible to apply for these scholarships.