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Fellowships, Funding, and Scholarships

The Division of CRMH currently has two RSA-funded training grants that provide students with $6,000/semester.

Long-Term training grant opportunities are currently available for CRMH students in the form of the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) Scholarship, providing scholars $5,000 of tuition support per semester. The scope of these grants is to provide tuition support and extracurricular training opportunities for students to acquire the knowledge, skills, and qualifications necessary to work directly with state vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies, or with a related agency that has a contract with VR. The VR program serves youth and adults with disabilities in achieving competitive integrated employment outcomes and independent living. These grants are funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, Rehabilitation Services Administration (OSERS/RSA). Upon program completion, RSA scholarship recipients will (a) demonstrate advanced training and competencies in evidence-based practices in the rehabilitation of individuals with different disabilities, including mental illness and/or developmental disabilities; (b) be readily available to fill current and emerging employment needs in VR and affiliated agencies at state, regional and national levels; (c) use their training to help consumers with disabilities access high quality employment in the 21st century global economy and become successful in their communities; (d) meet all applicable certification standards, and (e) be optimally trained in VR competencies and skills, including multicultural counseling competencies to serve clients from diverse backgrounds. For every year an RSA Scholar receives the scholarship, there is a 2-year “payback” requirement to work either at a VR agency or a related agency. As a state/federal program, VR offices and their related agencies can be found across the U.S.

The RSA scholarship packet includes tuition support of $5,000 per semester (total of $20,000 for 2- years) plus additional training benefits. Scholars also complete specialty coursework beyond the Standard Psychiatric Disability Track or Dual Track Curriculum in areas such as Individual Placement and Support (IPS), Tenancy Supports, and Motivational Interviewing in Substance Use and Co-Occurring Disorders Treatment (courses completed through the Center for Excellence in Community Mental Health) depending on which grant the scholar is on. Scholars also connect with VR Counselors through visits to VR Offices across the state, learn about and visit different programs and operations (e.g., DVRS Assistive Technology Lab) of urban and rural VR offices, and can attend the NCRA state rehabilitation conference. Scholars on the General Rehabilitation Counseling grant have funding to take the CRC Exam and can work as a HEELS Prep Career Coach working with young adults with developmental disabilities as a pre-service learning activity. Both grants offer graduate assistant (GA) positions for eligible RSA Scholars. Accepted students receive the RSA Scholarship Application as part of their admission documents. If you are interested in these scholarship, please contact Dr. Dara Chan at dchan@med.unc.edu or Dr. Eniko Rak at eniko_rak@med.unc.edu.

  • Each year, the Division of Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling can nominate applicants for fellowship, assistantship, and scholarship awards offered to students through the UNC Graduate School. The number of awards given each year depends on the funds allocated to the division. To be considered for nomination for Fellowships or Assistantships, prospective students must apply by:
    • CMHC: November 25, 2025
    • CRC: December 2, 2025

Division awards for incoming students are made at the time of admission. For priority consideration for financial aid, applicants should submit their completed applications as early as possible.

Students can be considered for departmental awards and fellowships and privately funded division scholarships by completing the Department of Health Sciences scholarship application, usually due in May. For more information, visit the financial assistance page.

Many of our students take advantage of student loans, which are administered through the Office of Student Financial Aid. Students seeking loans should be sure to submit their FAFSA forms by the appropriate deadline.

The North Carolina Forgivable Education Loans for Service is an excellent opportunity for students looking for funding.  Full-time graduate students are awarded $5,000 per semester for pursuing a degree in Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling.  Students may not have to pay back the loans if they agree to work in North Carolina for a certain period of time to work off the debt. For more information, please see the College Foundation of North Carolina’s website.