Main header image
Kaiser Permanente Mental Health Scholars Academy Scholarship
Deadline to apply: January 30, 2025 3:00 pm CT

Kaiser Permanente Mental Health Scholars Academy advances lifelong learning across the mental health career continuum, from students to trainees to experienced professionals. Participants of this scholarship will receive tuition support, mentoring, networking for training placements, and educational seminars.

The program is administered by Scholarship America®, the nation’s largest designer and manager of scholarships and other education support programs for corporations, foundations, associations, and individuals. Eligibility for individual programs is determined at the sole discretion of the sponsor and eligible applications are reviewed by Scholarship America’s evaluation team.

Applicants to the Kaiser Permanente Mental Health Scholars Academy Scholarship must:

  • Enrolled full-time in an accredited master’s degree program in social work, marriage & family therapy, or clinical counseling that has a defined affiliation with Kaiser Permanente in Northern or Southern California.

    Schools include, but are not limited to:

    • Northern California:
      • KP School for Allied Health Sciences
      • Master of Science in Counseling

      • Alliant International University
      • Master of Marriage and Family Therapy
      • Master of Social Work

    • Southern California:
      • Loma Linda University
      • Master of Social Work

      • Alliant International University
      • Master of Marriage and Family Therapy
      • Master of Social Work

  • For programs with defined licensure tracks including social work, applicant must be enrolled in a “clinical” track that creates eligibility and preparation for licensure as a mental health professional in California.
  • Completed a minimum of 1 semester of academic work and be in good academic standing.
  • Applicants should not have completed practicum requirements at the time of application. (see below for details)

    • MFT and Clinical Counseling Students: Has not applied for or completed pre-master’s practicum
    • MSW Students: Has not applied for or completed the second field practicum placement

  • Reside in California (may attend online academic program but also maintain residence in California).
  • Be willing to apply for and accept a position at Kaiser Permanente after graduation.

Awards

If selected as a recipient, the student will receive a $3,000 award.

The award is not renewable and past recipients may not reapply.

The number of awards depends on the number of qualified applications received from each eligible school. Applicants must meet Kaiser Permanente employment requirements including passing a background check, drug screen, visa requirements, if applicable, or other requirements required by Kaiser Permanente. Kaiser Permanente will verify employment requirements when applicable.

Recipients will also be eligible to apply for student loan repayment upon meeting the employment requirements with Kaiser Permanente. Note: these awards will be managed separately and you would need to reapply separately.

Awards are for graduate study only.

Awards can be used for any education-related expenses. Awards will be made payable to recipients and may be considered taxable income.

Notification

All applicants will be notified in April.

Payment of Scholarships

Scholarship America processes scholarship payments on behalf of Kaiser Permanente. Payment is made in early August.

Selection of Recipients

Scholarship recipients are selected on the basis of:

  • Academic performance
  • Volunteer experience and community service
  • Work experience
  • A statement of educational and career goals and objectives
  • Lived Experience
  • Financial need will not be considered.

Selection of finalists is made by Scholarship America. Kaiser Permanente will select recipients. Not all applicants to the program will be selected as recipients.

Diversity and bilingual candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

As part of your application, you must upload the following:

A current, complete transcript of grades. Grade reports are not accepted. Transcripts must display:

  • Student Name
  • School Name
  • Degree or Program Name
  • Grades
  • Credit hours for each course and term in which each course was taken.

Your application is not complete unless all required materials are submitted electronically.

Kaiser Permanente has partnered with Scholarship America. Selecting the button below will redirect you to the Scholarship America Student Hub!

Please make sure to add studentsupport@scholarshipamerica.org as well as the program email address provided below in the footer as safe senders in your email contact list.