Scholarship Overview

The Long Island Mental Health Professional Expansion Project Scholarship is funded by the U.S. Department of Education; Office of Elementary and Secondary Education. The goal of this program is to increase the number of high-quality, trained providers available to address the shortages of mental health services professionals in schools served by partnering LEAs (Brentwood UFSD, Freeport UFSD, Uniondale UFSD, Amityville UFSD, Roosevelt UFSD, and South Huntington UFSD). Scholarships will support new graduate students who meet the grant's eligibility criteria to earn a Master of Social Work (M.S.W) or M.S. School Counseling from Long Island University. Coursework completed at any Extension Center of the LIU Post Campus (i.e. Brentwood, Brooklyn) qualifies under this scholarship program. 

The Long Island Mental Health Professional Expansion Project covers tuition costs with the exception of a nominal annual fee to awarded students enrolling in the 60 Credit Social Work (M.S.W) program or 60 credit M.S. School Counseling program at LIU. Each program requires a field work component which includes placement in a partnering school in Brentwood UFSD, Freeport UFSD, Uniondale UFSD, Amityville UFSD, Roosevelt UFSD, or South Huntington UFSD. Graduate students will receive professional development, mentoring, and coaching on the use of evidence-based practices, family and community stakeholder engagement, and cross-disciplinary collaboration to address mental health needs of students.

Eligibility for Scholarship

• You are or have been involved with the Brentwood UFSD, Freeport UFSD, Uniondale UFSD, Amityville UFSD, Roosevelt UFSD, or South Huntington Union Free School District or community with the goal of increasing the number of school-based mental health services providers in the mental health workforce of LEAs on Long Island. The scholarship committee will consider a full range of lived experiences that will build capacity to support the needs of all students.

• You have completed your bachelor degree from an institution that meets the requirements for admission into one of the qualifying Master’s programs at LIU. 

• You apply, and are accepted, to LIU’s Master of Social Work (M.S.W) or M.S. School Counseling programs.

• Awardees must maintain full-time enrollment every semester (nine credits or more), except the optional Summer Semester.

Out-of-Pocket Expenses

• Non-refundable LIU application fee ($50 per program)

• Nominal fee of $500 each year of scholarship

• Fees Associated with State Exams

Service Obligation: 

Click here to preview the LIMHPEP service obligation agreement

Click here to see F.A.Qs associated with the service obligation

Scholarship Awardees must submit a service obligation letter signed by both LIU and the graduate student. Graduate students must fulfill the terms set forth in the service obligation and upon completion of their program, work for two years in a high-need school as a School Social Worker or School Counselor.

Steps to Apply

1. Before applying to a program of study, please make sure that you understand LIU's eligibility requirements and application process

• Master of Social Work (M.S.W)

• M.S. School Counseling

2. Fill out LIU's Quick Application

3. File your FAFSA

• https://liu.edu/enrollment-services/financial-aid

4. Fill out the LI Mental Health Professional Expansion Project Scholarship Application (Beginning January 1st!)