Mental Health Careers Scholarship

The Touchstone Foundation Mental Health Careers Scholarship program is committed to investing in the future of mental health professionals in Lancaster County. By fostering the development of a local talent pipeline, we aim to improve access to critical mental health services for youth and families. This program supports both undergraduate and graduate students pursuing careers in mental healthcare by covering tuition costs and helping build the future workforce to meet the growing demand for mental health services in our community.

Applications Open February 1, 2025 | Applications Close May 15, 2025

Supporting students pursuing careers in mental healthcare for youth and families in Lancaster County

The Touchstone Foundation Mental Health Careers Scholarship program supports our mission to strengthen the local workforce and meet the growing demand for youth mental healthcare in Lancaster County.

Undergraduate and graduate students pursuing careers in mental health are encouraged to apply.

Scholarships are available for:

*Undergraduate students pursuing degrees in mental healthcare fields

*Undergraduate nursing students working in mental health settings

Applications are due by May 15, 2025.

Graduate students in fields such as psychology, social work, nursing, and psychiatry are also invited to apply. These applications will be shared with The Steinman Foundation for consideration in their fellowship program.

Award amounts of up to $5,000 per year will be granted to help cover tuition costs.

Eligibility Criteria: Are You Eligible to Apply?

Before submitting your application, please confirm that you meet the following eligibility requirements:

I am a permanent resident of Lancaster County.
I have been admitted to a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree program at the time of application.
I understand that scholarships are awarded for tuition costs only.
I agree to work in a mental health career in Lancaster County for one year for each year I receive the award.
I understand that if I do not meet the above conditions, I may be required to repay the award.
I acknowledge that if I leave school after receiving the award, any further funds will be returned to the Foundation.
I have read and understand the Foundation’s non-discrimination policy.
I understand that a letter of recommendation is required to be considered for scholarship evaluation.

If you meet all of these criteria, you’re ready to apply!

Next Steps:

A complete online application is due by 11:59 pm on May 15, 2025.

Our Scholarship Committee will review applications and identify finalists for interviews that will take place online. Recipients will be notified by phone and email in July 2025. Initial scholarship payments will be made to colleges and universities in August 2025.
A reception to celebrate the mental health careers profession and current and past scholarship recipients will be held September 25, 2025, in the evening.
Individuals who have already received a scholarship from Touchstone Foundation and wish to continue their education in additional programs are encouraged to re-apply for an additional scholarship.

Insight from a past participant:

How It Works: Timeline

Scholarship Process from Application to Award

February 1st: Scholarship Application Opens

May 15th: Scholarship Applications Close at 11:59 PM

July 9th and 10th: Interviews from 9:30 am -12:30 pm for selected candidates

July 19th: Scholarship Awards Announced

July 22nd: Bursar Letters and Checks Sent to Colleges & Universities

September 25th: Programs Celebration Reception, 5:30-8:00 pm

Note: Graduate scholarships follow a different timeline, coordinated by the Steinman Foundation.

Applications Open February 1st

Need more information? Click the links below!

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.

Bill Zee Legacy Scholarship

The Bill Zee Legacy Scholarship honors the lifelong commitment of Bill Zee, a dedicated advocate for trauma-informed care and youth mental health in Lancaster County. As an attorney and champion for children’s well-being, Bill played a pivotal role in shaping policies that prioritized the mental health needs of students within school districts, legal systems, and the broader community.

Through his leadership with Touchstone Foundation, Bill co-developed trauma training sessions that educated educators, school boards, and legal professionals on the profound impact of childhood trauma. His work with the Attachment and Trauma Network (ATN) helped pioneer new approaches to addressing trauma in schools, ensuring that children facing adversity had access to the support they needed to thrive.

Now, in his memory, the Bill Zee Legacy Scholarship will support students who share his passion for mental health advocacy, trauma-informed education, and youth wellness. This newly funded scholarship will be available through Touchstone Foundation’s Mental Health Scholarships Program, furthering our mission to empower future generations of mental health professionals, educators, and advocates.

By investing in students pursuing careers in trauma-informed care, we continue Bill’s legacy—ensuring that every child in Lancaster County has access to a supportive, informed, and compassionate community.

Insight on Bill’s Work

**The Stan Deen Foundation is an honored founding contributor to the Bill Zee Legacy Scholarship. We are deeply grateful for their early support in helping launch this meaningful tribute.**