Mental Health Careers Scholarships

In 2022, we are launching the Mental Health Careers Scholarship program. This program helps accomplish our Big Goal 1: to develop the workforce to meet demand for mental healthcare for youth in Lancaster County. These scholarships will be awarded to undergraduate students pursuing careers in mental healthcare for youth and their families.

Mental Health Career Scholarship in Partnership with The Steinman Foundation

Touchstone Foundation is partnering with the John Frederick Steinman Fellowship Fund of The Steinman Foundation in our new Mental Health Careers Scholarships. Both undergraduate and Graduate students in mental health careers are welcome to apply.

Here’s how our partnership works:

All students can apply through the Touchstone Foundation online application portal. Click “Apply Now” to create an account and start the application.
Undergraduate student applications in mental health careers majors, especially rising juniors and seniors, will be reviewed by our volunteer committee at the Touchstone Foundation. We will also support graduate students in nursing careers whose work focuses on youth mental health.
Graduate student applications in social work, psychology, and psychiatry (masters and doctorate level students) will be sent to the John Frederick Steinman Fellowship Fund of The Steinman Foundation for consideration for their funding.
Touchstone Foundation and The Steinman Foundation are simplifying the application process for all students by using the same online application portal.

How It Works

Scholarship applications are open each year through May 15. Our scholarship committee will evaluate applications during the next month. In early July, our top applicants are invited for an interview. The committee then decides on awards, with consideration of our available funds, applicant need, and potential impact on services to youth and children in Lancaster County.

Who Is Eligible?

Lancaster County Residents
Undergraduate students (especially rising juniors and seniors) accepted or enrolled in a major for social work, psychology, or psychiatric nurse practitioner
Graduate students (masters and doctorate levels) in social work, psychology, and psychiatry
Students who demonstrate a commitment and passion for clinical mental health care, leading to licensure as Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Professional Counselor, Marriage and Family Therapist, and related mental health clinical fields.
Students who demonstrate a passion and commitment to serving youth, young people, and parents/caregivers.

Scholarship Program Requirements

Applicants must be permanent residents of Lancaster County at the time of application or working in healthcare in Lancaster County. Scholarships are awarded for the length of years required to complete a degree. For example, a rising junior will be awarded a scholarship funding in the same amount for junior and senior year.

Applicants must be admitted to a qualified undergraduate or graduate program at the time of application.

Scholarships are for tuition costs only. Students eligible for 100% tuition reimbursement from employers are not eligible for this scholarship.

By accepting a scholarship from Touchstone Foundation, the scholarship recipient agrees to work full time in mental health clinical care in Lancaster County for each year scholarship funding was awarded.

Applications Due May 15th

Need more information? Click the links below!

Scholarship Process

Applications for scholarships will open in early 2022 and must be submitted online by May 15.

Our Scholarship Committee will review applications and identify finalists for interviews that will take place in July. Applicants will be notified of decisions by mail in July. Scholarship payments will be made directly to schools in August.

Check out our Q&A

History Of The Scholarship

Since 2003 the Touchstone Foundation offered scholarships for nursing students in Lancaster County, investing $980,100 in nursing scholars. Current nursing scholarship recipients will continue to receive their funding through the time committed by the Touchstone Foundation.

Scholarships will now be prioritized to students pursuing careers in mental healthcare for youth and their families. Our goal is to develop the workforce to meet demand for mental health services for youth and children in Lancaster County. Nurses pursuing careers that directly serve youth (such as psychiatric nurse practitioners) may apply for the Mental Health Careers Scholarship.