The helping professions can be defined as any occupation where you intend to help others.
Therapists, social workers, business owners, teachers, counselors, and STEM majors are all examples of future endeavors that can help others.
James Hollis, a Jungian psychoanalyst, uses a question in deciding on major life decisions, which is “Does this choice diminish me or enlarge me?”
To further extend this question to the professional world, “Does this profession diminish me or enlarge me?” If you find most of the actions enlarge you, does that include helping and mentoring others. Then, most likely, you are involved in a helping profession. This question could further be extended in your relationships with others or clients: “Does this action I recommend diminish or enlarge the other person?”
I recently was invited by Dr. Kalai Mugilan to have a conversation about AI and research in one of his classes, and many of his students are entering the helping professions and giving back to others.
In that spirit, here are a few scholarship possibilities to assist them in paying for college and not rack up large amounts of debt. Others can benefit from these also. Several of these have been featured in a different format on this blog before.
$10,000 Therapist Impact Fund: NextGen Scholarship, Deadline: Dec 9, 2025
https://bold.org/scholarships/nextgen-therapist/
$10,000 Therapist Impact Fund: NextGen Scholarship, Deadline: Dec 9, 2025, ten awarded
Winners announced Jan 9, 2026, open to psychology and social work majors (see below)
Selected criteria from website:
“Eligibility Requirements
Identity: Underrepresented communities (BIPOC, LGBTQ+, etc.)
Field of Study: Psychology, Therapist Licensure (Clinical Social Worker, Marriage and Family
Therapist, Mental Health Counselor, Professional Counselor, or Psychologist), or Related Field
GPA: 3.3 GPA or higher
Education Level: Undergraduate or graduate student
At BetterHelp, our vision is to remove barriers to wellness that exist across the globe. This means investing not only in access to therapy today, but also in the future pipeline of mental healthcare providers for tomorrow. That’s why we’re supporting the next generation of mental health providers through our New Therapist Impact Fund. We invite students looking forward to careers in the mental health field to share their stories, ideas, and passion for transforming the mental health landscape and helping shape a more inclusive, innovative, and supportive future for all.
Therapy is a deeply personal journey, and having a therapist who can provide culturally competent care, grounded in understanding and shared experiences, can make all the difference. That’s why this scholarship aims to empower students from underrepresented backgrounds whose voices and perspectives are essential to building a more inclusive and compassionate future for all who seek mental health support.
Our scholarship is open to undergraduate and graduate students with a minimum 3.3 GPA who are pursuing careers in psychology, therapist licensure (Clinical Social Worker, Marriage and Family Therapist, Mental Health Counselor, Professional Counselor, or Psychologist), or a related field. We especially encourage applications from students who identify as members of underrepresented communities, including BIPOC, LGBTQ+, first-generation college students, and others whose voices and perspectives are vital to shaping the future of mental healthcare.
To apply, please submit your resume and respond to the essay questions below. We encourage you to reflect on your identity, lived experiences, and vision for improving the mental healthcare system in your answers to the below questions.
Essay Topic
1. How have your lived experiences shaped your decision to pursue a career in mental health, and how do they influence the kind of therapist or provider you hope to become?
2. If you could make one significant change to today’s mental healthcare system to create greater access, equity, and inclusion, what would it be and why?
3.What do you see as the greatest benefits and challenges of teletherapy, and how can we continue to innovate so that it better serves diverse communities?
(400–600 words)”
$2,500 up to $30,000 per academic year, Scarlett Family Foundation Scholarship for Business majors, STEM majors, and Education majors from the Middle Tennessee area
$2,500 with a maximum of $30,000 per academic year Scarlett Family Foundation Scholarship, D: Dec 15, 2025
Graduated from a Middle Tennessee high school or be homeschooled in the area, pursuing a Business, Education (including teacher certification at the bachelor’s level), and STEM degree, GPA of 2.5 or higher
The Scarlett Family Foundation started giving out scholarships only to Business majors. Later, the Foundation included STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) majors.
This year, the Foundation is including Education majors (including teacher certification at the bachelor’s level); for example, you could be an English major pursuing certification to teach at the secondary level, and you could apply for this scholarship.
The Foundation is generous to include Health professions into its definitions of STEM majors, such as Healthcare Management, Exercise Science/Sports Science, Nursing, Nutrition and Food Science, Health Sciences, Physical Therapy, Public Health, Speech Pathology, Pre-Pharmacy, Pre-Vet, and Radiologic Sciences, to name a few.
Also, some of the Education fields include Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Physical Education, Special Education, Secondary Education (i.e., middle grades and high school), Teaching English as a Second Language, Art/Music Education, and Subject-specific Education.
There are more majors eligible listed on the website. You can also ask the Foundation whether your major qualifies.
$25,000, $10,000, and $5,000 Taco Bell Live Mas Scholarship
to Help You Follow Your Passion
$25,000; $10,000, and $5,000 Taco Bell Live Mas Scholarship, D: Jan 6, 2026
Video or short essay, no GPA requirement, ages 16-26 as of deadline (Jan 6, 2026; 5:00 Pacific Time), legal resident of the 50 U.S. States or and the District of Columbia (“D.C.”) located within the United States or D.C., or the dependent child of an active-duty member of the U.S. military
More criteria at the link above.
If your passion is to help others, then this Taco Bell Live Mas Scholarship is something to check out. With no GPA requirement, this scholarship also offers mentoring and guidance.
Selected criteria from webpage:
“How to Apply
Submit one (1) original response in ONE of the following formats:
- Video (30 seconds–2 minutes), or
- Essay (250–500 words). You may include one photo that represents your passion.
New applicants: Your response should address: (1) your passion and how you are pursuing it, (2) the impact you hope to make, and (3) how you embody the spirit of Live Más in your everyday life. Live Más means embracing an unconventional path to your goals – defying the norm, turning curiosity into bold action that lifts others while staying true to who you are.
Apply online at TacoBellFoundation.org during the application window.
Renewal applicants: Your response should address: (1) how your passion has grown or evolved since receiving your most recent Live Más Scholarship, (2) the change you’ve made or hope to make with your passion or career path, (3) how your education has supported your goals, and (4) how you continue to embody the spirit of Live Más in your everyday life. Live Más means embracing an unconventional path to your goals – defying the norm, turning curiosity into bold action that lifts others while staying true to who you are.”
High school Seniors Majoring in select STEM fields: $40,000 FOSSI Scholarship
For future high school students and future TSU tigers who may apply to TSU, here is a scholarship if you are entering a STEM field.
https://futureofstemscholars.org/FOSSI/apply
$40,000 Future of Stem Scholars Initiative (FOSSI) Scholarship, D: Jan 25, 2025
GPA: 3.0 or higher; high school senior majoring in select STEM fields
From website:
“Apply for the $40K FOSSI Scholarship
- Are you a high school student looking to make the world or your community a better place?
- Do you plan to attend an HBCU next year?
- Do you have an interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math?
If you answered yes, FOSSI may be for you.”
Click on the link above for more information.
For 2026: $10,000 BlueCross Power of We Health Equity Scholarship, six awarded
Be on the outlook next year for
$10,000 BlueCross Power of We Health Equity Scholarship, six awarded
Look for this around Feb 1, 2026 with a deadline around April 1, 2026.
From website:
“The BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Foundation will award scholarships to six recipients based on their community service, leadership, and academics – as well as their commitment to improving health equity for Tennesseans.
Undergraduate and graduate students of all backgrounds are invited to apply.
Awardees will be chosen by an internal BlueCross selection committee and must meet the following criteria:
- Graduate or undergraduate students working to obtain a degree in health care, pursue a career in the field of health care and improve health equity for Tennesseans
- Classified as at least a college sophomore by application deadline
- Minimum 2.5 academic GPA (4.0 scale)
- Tennessee resident with permanent Tennessee address
- Enrolled at an accredited college/university within the state of Tennessee and planning to enroll in the 2026-2027 school year
- The $10,000 award is paid out in one lump sum and is distributed by the recipient’s university.”
Finding Help with Your Writing or Finding Scholarships at TSU
The AARC Writing Center at TSU is temporarily located in the TSU Library, 2nd floor, room 229, near the elevator. We hope to be moving back to our original location in Spring 2026, the 3rd floor of the Student Success Center.
We assist students, faculty, staff, and alumni of Tennessee State University.
If you are a TSU student, faculty member, or staff, log into EAB-Navigate and make an appointment to see any of our writing consultants (in person or online): Ms. Lori Danley, Ms. Rhonda Kavan, Dr. Shiloh Carroll, Mr. Mike Turner.
We can help you with scholarship essays, resumes, applications, or any other writing project.
If you are having problems, feel free to email Mr. Mike Turner, mjturner@tnstate.edu
You can also set up a scholarship coaching session (either online or in person) with Mr. Mike Turner, where we look for scholarships and other money tailored to your major and your situation.
Since this post will also go out for those signed up to receive posts as they are published, find more scholarships at https://scholarshiptigers.com/
Scholarship Tigers--Students Helping Each Other Find Money for College 