CHHS >> Counseling >> Awards and Scholarships
Awards and Scholarships
- Distinguished Student Award
- Virginia Lee Block Scholarship
- Ida Sweeney LeBlanc Scholarship
- 12th Step Scholarship
- Rehabilitation Counselor Training Program Scholarship
- Deaf, Deafened, and Hard of Hearing Program Scholarship
- School Counseling Fisher Scholarship
- MFT/Mental Health Services Act Scholarship
Awards
Scholarships Quick Reference Guide
The Department of Counseling sponsors three department awards and scholarships, which are awarded in the spring semester. Eligibility for these scholarships varies, as outlined below:
Distinguished Student Award – This award is based on a record of distinguished scholarship and outstanding service to the community as determined by faculty feedback, the students’ transcripts, and essays written by the nominees.
Members of the faculty of the Department of Counseling nominate graduating students whom they feel have an outstanding record of achievement in their work with us. This pool of nominees is then discussed and, by consensus, the faculty determines who will make up the final pool of nominees to represent our finest students. From this finalist pool, four winners are selected by the department Honors Committee.
One of these winner’s names is forwarded to the College of Health and Human Services as our nominee for college Hood recipient. The hood recipient is then selected by the college from among a number of department nominees.
$1500 per year to be divided (up to three students).
Faculty coordinator: Dr. Graciela Orozco 
orozco@sfsu.edu
Virginia Lee Block Scholarship – Block was a founding member of the Department of Counseling at San Francisco State University and for many years was the chair of the department. After her death, her family made a donation to scholarships for general counseling students in the department.
The Department Virginia Block Scholarship Committee selects no more than four individuals in the specializations of Rehabilitation Counseling, Career Counseling, College Counseling, Gerontological Counseling, Marriage Family Therapy, or School Counseling for this scholarship. The scholarship winners are selected from a pool of students nominated and discussed by the faculty of the Department of Counseling.
Students nominated by the faculty for this award must be in their first year of practicum classes, and must have shown distinction in the development of their clinical skills, as well as showing outstanding promise for their future professional development based upon evaluations by the faculty, the students’ transcripts, and an essay written by each nominee.
Award winners are given a check from the office of Financial Aid in the fall semester following the receipt of the award. Students must be registered for at least nine units in this fall semester.
$100 each (variable number of scholarships given each year).
Faculty coordinator: Dr. Patricia Van Velsor pvanvels@sfsu.edu
Ida Sweeney LeBlanc Scholarship – This scholarship shall be awarded to Department of Counseling students who have a demonstrated track record of service to African Americans. Each scholarship shall be for a period of one year, and any additional scholarship to a student shall be granted only upon a reapplication by the student.
Eligible students will have enrolled for a minimum of 7 units in the semester when being considered for the award. Further, the student must have completed a minimum of one semester in the program with a grade point average of no less than 3.0. Demonstration of track record of service to African Americans by:
a. Verified counseling, counseling-related, human service, employment, or participation in civic organizations that specifically promote the well-being of African Americans. Verification may be in the form of two letters of recommendation from individuals in responsible professional positions (i.e., community leaders, employers, supervisors, teachers outside of the department). And,
b. A personal statement describing a commitment and service to African Americans, as well as why the student should be awarded the scholarship.
$1000 each (three per year).
Faculty coordinator: Dr. Robert Williams rwill@sfsu.edu
12th Step Scholarship – Each year, one monetary award may be given to a student who has had personal experience with or is working in the area of familial abuse, addiction, or dysfunction. The eligibility requirements are:
a. Classified or conditionally classified master’s candidate in Counseling, Psychology, or Social Work (first priority is given to Counseling Department students; open to all specializations),
b. Intention to enroll at least half time for the upcoming academic year,
c. A GPA of 3.0 as a continuing student. Entering students must provide evidence of prior academic success.
$1000 each (three per year).
Faculty coordinator: Dr. John Blando, jblando@sfsu.edu
Rehabilitation Counselor Training Program scholarship – Available for students enrolled in the Rehabilitation Counselor Training Program who have a specialization or emphasis in rehabilitation counseling. Those wanting to add rehabilitation counseling as an emphasis should contact Dr. Chronister (note: applications for specialization/emphasis change are due on February 1 of each year). Priority will be given to those students who can demonstrate that they can meet the cultural and linguistic needs of rehabilitation consumers. However, all interested students are encouraged to apply. Applicants must be in good academic standing. Awardees have a payback requirement upon graduation that requires two years employment in the public vocational rehabilitation system or at a non-profit rehabilitation agency for every year of receipt of the award.
The scholarships will cover tuition costs or $5328, whichever is less. Students will also receive a $500 stipend.
Faculty coordinator: Dr. Julie Chronister, jchronis@sfsu.edu
Deaf, Deafened, and Hard of Hearing Program Scholarship – Payback clause: must work for the Department of Rehabilitation of Department of Rehabilitation related agencies.
$7,500 per year.
Faculty coordinator: Dr. Lesley Zwillinger lzwill@sfsu.edu
School Counseling Fisher Scholarship – Annual stipend for second-year graduate interns earning the required masters and credential necessary to be California School Counselors and placed in the San Francisco Unified School District of the San Jose Unified School District.
$3000 per year.
Faculty coordinator: Dr. Graciela Orozco orozco@sfsu.edu
MFT/Mental Health Services Act Scholarship – Competitive stipend for second-year MFT graduate students who are serving psychiatric populations with co-occurring disorders (Serious Mental Illness & Substance Use Disorder). Students must payback this stipend by working with this population for one year upon graduation. Bilingual/bicultural applicants preferred.
$18,000 per year to be divided (by the number of awardees).
Faculty coordinator: Dr. Lesley Zwillinger lzwill@sfsu.edu
Limited Research Assistantships available to work with various faculty members’ grants.
Announcements are made throughout the year.
