Healthy Oregon Initiative (SHOI-like) Scholarships

Lewis & Clark Graduate School of Education and Counseling has received a transformative grant in the amount of $500,000 from the Oregon Health Authority that aims to diversify the behavioral health workforce, particularly in regard to those who serve communities that have experienced inequities in access.

The graduate school uses these funds to provide substantial scholarships to graduate students who, as practitioners, will increase access to culturally specific and culturally responsive services for people of color, tribal communities, and individuals who have experienced barriers accessing mental health services.

Application deadline is March 1, 2024.

The review of scholarship applications will begin March 4, 2024 and will be made on a rolling basis as funds are available.

Priority will be given to eligible and complete applications received on or before March 1, 2024.

Application Requirements

This application process consists of two parts including a personal essay and a short video
requirement.

Personal Essay

Student applicants must write a 5-7 page (double spaced) personal essay that encompasses the following criteria:

1. Your personal interest in the SHOI-like scholarship. Describe how you meet the
   prioritized eligibility criteria listed above.
2. Your professional identity as a counselor, therapist, or school psychologist. Describe how
   you see yourself fitting into your future career as a professional counselor, therapist, or
   school psychologist.
3. Your commitment to serve underrepresented communities. Describe your commitment
   to providing mental health and/or substance use related services to one or more of the
   following:
   • Members of historically underserved communities (e.g. BIPOC, LGBTQ+)
   • Currently incarcerated populations
   • Children/adolescents
   • Geriatric populations
   • Populations in low-income inner cities and/or rural areas
   • Veterans or military families
4. Effective demonstration of your experience and knowledge with the marginalized communities you wish to serve. Where appropriate, use examples of your work/personal experience with the marginalized communities.
5. A clear plan for future career goals for how you intend to serve the selected communities both during your graduate program as well as after you graduate. This can be through an internship, volunteer experience, or paid work.
6. A statement confirming you have submitted a FAFSA for the year you seek scholarship funds.

Video Requirement

Please provide a video answering the following questions. Limit the video to no more than 5
minutes. Videos must be submitted via a .mp4 or .mov file format. In your video, please answer
the following:

1. How is the SHOI-like scholarship an ideal fit for you?
2. What is your target underrepresented community and/or communities and what barriers
   would you address to eliminate disparities in mental health issues for this community?
3. In what way(s) would the SHOI-like scholarship help you on your academic and
   professional journey?

All materials should be submitted electronically to the CTSP Office (ctsp@lclark.edu).