NBCC Foundation Scholars and Fellows

The NBCC Foundation military scholarships are for service members, veterans, and their spouses pursuing a career in professional counseling. The military scholarship was created to increase the number of counselors available to serve military personnel and families.

These scholarships provide financial support to students who are currently enrolled in a Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)-accredited, master’s-level counseling program; are active duty, have served in the military, or are a military spouse; and who commit to serve military personnel within one year of graduation for the duration of a minimum of at least two years post-graduation.

Scholarships of up to $8,000 are available.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Applicants must be enrolled in a CACREP-accredited counseling master’s program.
• Applicants must be veterans or active-duty U.S. military service members or spouses of a veteran or active-duty U.S. military service member. Veterans must have received an honorable discharge.
• Applicants must be currently enrolled and be in good standing in a CACREP-accredited counseling master’s program. Applicants must have taken courses during the spring 2020 semester. Applicants may not have a pending status, deferred status, or other future start date for coursework.
• Applicants are expected to graduate by May 2023 (three years from the date of the scholarship funding).
• Eligible applicants must not have an anticipated academic program completion date before May 2021, which will be verified in writing by their academic department.
• Applicants must demonstrate knowledge of and experience with military personnel and families.
• Applicants must commit to becoming board certified by applying for the National Certified Counselor (NCC) credential prior to graduation and to completing the application process.
• Applicants must commit to providing mental health services to service members and/or veterans within one year of graduation and for the duration of a minimum of at least two years post-graduation.

To check the CACREP status of a program, search the CACREP website.

For questions, please review our Frequently Asked Questions, call 336-232-0376, or email foundation@nbcc.org.

The NBCC Foundation rural scholarships are for students pursuing a career in professional counseling. The rural scholarships were created to increase the number of counselors available to serve people in rural areas.

These scholarships provide financial support to students who are currently enrolled in a Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)-accredited counseling master’s program, live in a rural area, and commit to serve rural populations within one year of graduation for the duration of a minimum of at least two years post-graduation.

Scholarships of up to $8,000 are available.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Applicants must be enrolled in a CACREP-accredited counseling master’s program.
• Applicants must reside in a rural area as defined by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).
• Applicants must be currently enrolled and be in good standing in a CACREP-accredited counseling master’s-level program. Applicants must have taken courses during the spring 2020 semester. Applicants may not have a pending status, deferred status, or other future start date for coursework.
• Applicants are expected to graduate by May 2023 (within three years of the date of the scholarship funding).
• Eligible applicants must not have an anticipated program completion date before May 2021, which will be verified in writing by their academic department prior to the awarding of funds.
• Applicants must commit to becoming board certified by applying for the National Certified Counselor (NCC) certification prior to graduation and to completing the application process.

To check the CACREP status of a program, search the CACREP website. Applicants may determine if they live in a qualifying area by checking the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) website.

For questions, please review our frequently asked questions, call 336-232-0376, or email foundation@nbcc.org.

The NBCC Foundation’s Dr. Nicholas Vacc Scholarship is awarded to one (1) doctoral-level counseling student in the amount of $5,000. This program is made possible by an endowment in memory of Dr. Nicholas Vacc.

The NBCC Foundation helps ensure that the behavioral health needs of all Americans are met, regardless of language or culture, thereby reducing health disparities and improving overall community health and well-being. By strategically promoting and providing scholarships to doctoral counseling students, the Dr. Nicholas Vacc Scholarship Endowment supports the infrastructure that engages individuals focused on research and/or testing that strengthens the profession of counseling.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Applicants must currently be board certified by holding the National Certified Counselor (NCC) credential. If the applicant is not currently board certified, they must document all of the following:
  • A full state license as a professional counselor
  • A passing score on the National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE); and
  • A commitment to apply for the NCC credential and to complete the application within the shortest possible timeframe after notification of the MFP award.
• Applicants must be currently enrolled full time for the fall 2020 semester and be in good standing in a Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)-accredited, doctoral-level counseling program. Applicants must have taken courses during the spring 2020 semester. Applicants may not have a pending status, deferred status or other future start date for coursework.
• Applicants are expected to graduate by December 2023 (within three years of the date of the Fellowship funding).
• Eligible applicants must not have an anticipated academic program completion date before May 2021, which will be verified in writing by their academic Department prior to the awarding of funds.
• Applicants must focus their dissertation on research and/or testing that strengthens the profession of counseling.
• Applicants must be a member of Chi Sigma Iota.

To check the CACREP status of a program, search the CACREP website.

For questions, please review our Frequently Asked Questions, call 336-232-0376, or email foundation@nbcc.org.

Please note that the 2020 application cycle is closed. The next application cycle will open in Fall 2020. Training dates for the 2021 program year will be different from those listed below.

The National Board for Certified Counselors Minority Fellowship Program (NBCC MFP) for Mental Health Counselors (MHC-M) is made possible by a grant awarded to the NBCC Foundation by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The NBCC Foundation will administer up to 30 master’s-level counseling fellowships of $10,000, plus the travel expenses to participate in program-related trainings for mental health counseling students.

The NBCC MFP helps ensure that the behavioral health needs of all Americans are met, regardless of language or culture, thereby reducing health disparities and improving overall community health and well-being. Minorities include but are not limited to racial, ethnic, cultural, religious, gender, sexual orientation, rural, or military groups. By strategically promoting and providing fellowships to master’s-level counseling students, the NBCC MFP strengthens the infrastructure that engages diverse individuals in counseling and increases the number of professional counselors.

Eligible applicants must demonstrate knowledge of and experience with one or more of the following: underserved minority communities, child/adolescent and geriatric groups, minority communities in inner cities and rural areas, minority persons (including LGBT), or those who are veterans or are from military families. Eligible applicants must commit to teach, administer services, conduct research, and/or provide direct mental health counseling to at least one of the above-listed populations.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Applicants must be U.S. citizens or have permanent resident status.
• Applicants must not work for a federal agency or receive any other federal funds (except for federal student loans or work-study).
• Applicants must not already possess a master's degree in a behavioral health field.
• Applicants must be currently enrolled and be in good standing in a Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)-accredited counseling master’s-level program. Applicants must be currently taking courses. Applicants may not have a pending status, deferred status, or other future start date for coursework.
• Applicants are expected to graduate by May 2023 (within three years of the date of the fellowship funding).
• Eligible applicants must not have an anticipated program completion date before December 2020, which will be verified in writing by their academic department prior to the awarding of funds.
• Applicants must demonstrate knowledge of and experience with underserved minority communities, child/adolescent and geriatric groups, minority communities in inner cities and rural areas, minority persons (including LGBT), or those who are veterans or are from military families.
• Applicants must commit to teach, administer services, conduct research, and/or provide direct mental health counseling to at least one of the above-listed populations within one year of graduation and for the duration of two years post-graduation.
• Applicants must commit to securing an internship that includes experience with one of more of the minority populations listed above.
• Applicants must commit to becoming board certified by applying for the National Certified Counselor (NCC) certification prior to graduation and to completing the application process.
• Applicants must be able to attend the NBCC Foundation’s Bridging the Gap Symposium to open their fellowship year the week of May 17-22, 2020, and to close their fellowship year at the 2021 Symposium during the week of May 24-28, 2021, and up to two other training events during their fellowship year.
• African Americans, Alaska Natives, Asian Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, Native Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders are especially encouraged to apply.*

To check the CACREP status of a program, search the CACREP website.

For questions, please review our Frequently Asked Questions, call 336-232-0376, or e-mail foundation@nbcc.org.

*Eligibility requirements for MFP awards are defined by SAMHSA. The program is not limited to individuals from minority populations; however, SAMHSA does prioritize individuals from the following communities: African American, Alaska Native, Asian American, Hispanic/Latino, Native American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander. SAMHSA’s priority population decision is based on the documentation of significant mental health disparities within these communities and the SAMHSA-identified strategy of increasing the number of individuals representing these communities in counselor education and leadership. This priority is considered when there are applicants with equivalently strong results to the review process. In that case, those applicants who meet the SAMHSA priority are chosen.

Please note that the 2020 application cycle is closed. The next application cycle will open in Fall 2020. Training dates for the 2021 program year will be different from those listed below.

The National Board for Certified Counselors Minority Fellowship Program (NBCC MFP) for Addictions Counselors (MFP-AC) is made possible by a grant awarded to the NBCC Foundation in collaboration with NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals, by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The program will administer up to 40 master’s degree-level counseling fellowships of $15,000 for addictions counseling students, plus the travel expenses to participate in other program-related trainings.

The NBCC MFP helps ensure that the behavioral health needs of all Americans are met, regardless of language or culture, thereby reducing health disparities and improving overall community health and well-being. Minorities include but are not limited to racial, ethnic, cultural, religious, gender, sexual orientation, rural, or military groups. By strategically promoting and providing fellowships to master’s-level counseling students, the NBCC MFP strengthens the infrastructure that engages diverse individuals in counseling and increases the number of substance use disorder professional counselors who provide direct substance use disorder services minority populations.

Eligible applicants must demonstrate knowledge of and experience in addictions/substance abuse services to one or more of the following: underserved minority communities, child/adolescent and geriatric groups, minority communities in inner cities and rural areas, minority persons (including LGBT), or those who are veterans or are from military families.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Applicants must be U.S. citizens or have permanent resident status.
• Applicants must not work for a federal agency or receive any other federal funds (except for federal student loans or work-study).
• Applicants must not already possess a master's degree in a behavioral health field.
• Applicants must be enrolled and be in good standing in one of the following programs.
  1. A Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)-accredited master’s-level addictions counseling program or other master’s-level counseling program with a concentration in addictions.
  2. A regionally accredited master’s-level addictions counseling program or other master’s-level counseling program with a concentration in addictions.
  3. An addictions program accredited by the National Addictions Studies Accreditation Commission (NASAC).
• Applicants must be currently taking courses. Applicants may not have a pending status, deferred status, or other future start date for coursework.
• Eligible applicants must not have an anticipated academic program completion date before December 2020, which will be verified in writing by their academic department prior to the awarding of funds.
• Applicants must demonstrate knowledge of and experience with addressing the substance use disorder needs of one or more of the following: underserved minority communities, child/adolescent and geriatric groups, minority communities in inner cities and rural areas, minority persons (including LGBT), or those who are veterans or are from military families.
• Applicants must commit to providing substance use disorder services to one of the above-named populations within one year of graduation and must commit to providing such services for the duration of two years post-graduation.
• Applicants must commit to securing a substance use services-related internship that provides experience with one or more of the minority populations listed above.
• Applicants must commit to becoming board certified by applying for the National Certified Counselor (NCC) certification or applying for certification from the National Certification Commission for Addiction Professionals (NCC AP) prior to graduation and to completing the application process.
• Applicants must be able to attend the NBCC Foundation’s Bridging the Gap Symposium to open their fellowship year the week of May 17-22, 2020, and to close their fellowship year at the 2021 Symposium during the week of May 24-28, 2021. Applicants must also be able to attend the NAADAC Annual Conference (typically in September or October) and potentially one other training event during their fellowship year. All travel expenses will be covered by the NBCC Foundation.
• African Americans, Alaska Natives, Asian Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, Native Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders are especially encouraged to apply. *

To check the CACREP status of a program, search the CACREP website.

For questions, please review our Frequently Asked Questions, call 336-232-0376, or e-mail foundation@nbcc.org.

Eligibility requirements for MFP awards are defined by SAMHSA. The program is not limited to individuals from minority populations; however, SAMHSA does prioritize individuals from the following communities: African American, Alaska Native, Asian American, Hispanic/Latino, Native American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander. SAMHSA’s priority population decision is based on the documentation of significant mental health disparities within these communities and the SAMHSA-identified strategy of increasing the number of individuals representing these communities in counselor education and leadership. This priority is considered when there are applicants with equivalently strong results to the review process. In that case, those applicants who meet the SAMHSA priority are chosen.

Please note that the 2020 application cycle is closed. The next application cycle will open in Fall 2020. Training dates for the 2021 program year will be different from those listed below.

The National Board for Certified Counselors Minority Fellowship Program (NBCC MFP) for Mental Health Counselors (MHC-D) is made possible by a grant awarded to the NBCC Foundation by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The NBCC Foundation will administer up to 20 doctoral-level counseling fellowships of $20,000, plus the travel expenses to participate in program-related trainings.

The NBCC MFP helps ensure that the behavioral health needs of all Americans are met, regardless of language or culture, thereby reducing health disparities and improving overall community health and well-being. Minorities include but are not limited to racial, ethnic, cultural, religious, gender, sexual orientation, rural, or military groups. By strategically promoting and providing fellowships to doctoral counseling students, the NBCC MFP strengthens the infrastructure that engages diverse individuals in counseling and increases the number of professional counselors.

Eligible applicants must demonstrate knowledge of and experience with one or more of the following: underserved minority communities, child/adolescent and geriatric groups, minority communities in inner cities and rural areas, minority persons (including LGBT), or those who are veterans or are from military families. Eligible applicants must commit to teach, administer services, conduct research, and/or provide direct mental health counseling to at least one of the above-listed populations.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Applicants must be U.S. citizens or have permanent resident status.
• Applicants must not work for a federal agency or receive any other federal funds (except for federal loans or work-study).
• Applicants must not already possess a doctoral degree in a behavioral health field.
• Applicants must currently be board certified by holding the National Certified Counselor (NCC) credential. If the applicant is not currently board certified, they must document all of the following:
  1. A full state license as a professional counselor;
  2. A passing score on the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE); and
  3. A commitment to apply for the NCC credential and to complete the application within the shortest possible timeframe after notification of the MFP award.
• Applicants must be currently enrolled full time and be in good standing in a Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)-accredited, doctoral-level counseling program. Applicants must be currently taking courses. Applicants may not have a pending status, deferred status, or other future start date for coursework.
• Applicants are expected to graduate by May 2023 (within three years of the date of the fellowship funding).
• Eligible applicants must not have an anticipated academic program completion date before December 2020, which will be verified in writing by their academic department prior to the awarding of funds.
• Applicants must have demonstrated knowledge and experience with underserved minority communities, child/adolescent and geriatric groups, minority communities in inner cities and rural areas, minority persons (including LGBT), or those who are veterans or are from military families.
• Applicants must commit to teach, administer, research and/or provide direct mental health services to minority and underserved populations in the private, nonprofit, or public sectors within one year of graduation and for the duration of two years post-graduation.
• Applicants must be able to attend the NBCC Foundation’s Bridging the Gap Symposium to open their fellowship year the week of May 17-22, 2020, and to close their fellowship year at the 2021 Symposium during the week of May 24-28, 2021, and up to two other training events during their fellowship year.
• African Americans, Alaska Natives, Asian Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, Native Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders are especially encouraged to apply.*

To check the CACREP status of a program, search the CACREP website.

For questions, please review our Frequently Asked Questions, call 336-232-0376, or e-mail foundation@nbcc.org.

*Eligibility requirements for MFP awards are defined by SAMHSA. The program is not limited to individuals from minority populations; however, SAMHSA does prioritize individuals from the following communities: African American, Alaska Native, Asian American, Hispanic/Latino, Native American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander. SAMHSA’s priority population decision is based on the documentation of significant mental health disparities within these communities and the SAMHSA-identified strategy of increasing the number of individuals representing these communities in counselor education and leadership. This priority is considered when there are applicants with equivalently strong results to the review process. In that case, those applicants who meet the SAMHSA priority are chosen.

In the spirit of promoting our efforts toward the Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS) credential and maintaining the highest standards of clinical practice for the counseling profession, the Foundation in partnership with the Center for Credentialing & Education (CCE) offers the NBCC Foundation ACS Training Award. The ACS award advances the professional identity and development of counselors throughout the nation. Five awards in the amount of $500 each are available.

Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Currently be board certified by holding the National Certified Counselor (NCC) credential, maintained with no ethical holds or missed payments for a minimum of one year.
• Must currently hold a master’s degree or higher in a mental health field. Degrees must be from a postsecondary educational institution or program accredited by an accrediting agency or state approval agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education.
• Have extensive clinical experience in providing mental health or substance abuse counseling services.
• Commit to applying for the ACS credential within one year of the award.

CCE provides the funding for these awards, which the Foundation administers on CCE’s behalf. Please contact the Foundation at foundation@nbcc.org or 336-232-0376 with any questions.

This award provides financial assistance to individuals pursuing the training necessary for the Board Certified Coach (BCC) certification. Two awards of up to $3,000 each are available to cover the costs of CCE-approved BCC training. You can find a list of CCE-approved BCC training providers on their website.

Training must be chosen within 12 months and an invoice or bill must be submitted to the NBCC Foundation. Funds will be remitted directly to the approved training provider. CCE reserves the right to adjust the award if the tuition is less than the award amount.

Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Not currently or previously certified as a BCC.
• Commit to applying for the BCC within 12 months of completion of the BCC training.
• Demonstrate exceptional coaching potential through one or more of the following:
  • Access to the population in need of coaching or working in a setting conducive to coaching.
  • Background in leadership.
  • Hold or pursuing a degree from a relevant program.

CCE provides the funding for these awards, which the Foundation administers on CCE’s behalf. Please contact the Foundation at foundation@nbcc.org or 336-232-0376 with any questions.

This award advances the professional identity and development of CCE credential holders. Four awards in the amount of $500 each are available.

Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Currently hold a CCE credential, maintained in good standing for a minimum of one year.
• Promote their CCE credential or contribute to the related field through one or more of the following:
  • Providing credential-related training for others.
  • Bringing programs that promote the credential to their campus or organization.
  • Delivering a presentation at a relevant conference.
  • Conducting relevant research.
  • Writing for a relevant publication.
  • Holding leadership positions in relevant groups or associations.
  • Mentoring another who is pursuing the credential.

CCE provides the funding for these awards, which the Foundation administers on CCE’s behalf.

Please contact the Foundation at Foundation@nbcc.org or 336-232-0376 with any questions.

The goal of this scholarship program is to increase the number of available professional counselors providing quality career development services. In doing so, the GCDF scholarship program plays an important role in the Foundation’s mission to leverage the power of counseling by strategically focusing resources for positive change.

Five domestic scholarships of up to $1,000 each are available to cover the costs of CCE-approved GCDF training. You can find a list of CCE-approved GCDF training providers on their website. Training must be chosen within 12 months and an invoice or bill must be submitted to the NBCC Foundation. Funds will be remitted directly to the approved training provider. CCE reserves the right to adjust the award if the tuition is less than the award amount.

Eligibility requirements include the following:

• Must currently be board certified by holding the National Certified Counselor (NCC) credential.
• Must possess a master’s degree.
• Must be seeking initial GCDF certification.
• Must commit to providing career counseling services for two years.

CCE provides the funding for these awards, which the Foundation administers on CCE’s behalf.

Please contact the Foundation at Foundation@nbcc.org or 336-232-0376 with any questions.

The goal of this scholarship program is to increase the number of available professional counselors providing quality career development services. In doing so, the GCDF scholarship program plays an important role in the Foundation’s mission to leverage the power of counseling by strategically focusing resources for positive change.

Two international scholarships in the amount of $2,000 each are available.

Eligibility requirements include the following:

• Must either hold an active GCDF credential in good standing and be enrolled in an advanced education program in counseling or be a student currently enrolled in both a GCDF training program and a postbachelor’s counseling program, as appropriate to their country.
• Must commit to providing career counseling services for two years.

CCE provides the funding for these awards, which the Foundation administers on CCE’s behalf.

Please contact the Foundation at Foundation@nbcc.org or 336-232-0376 with any questions.