Prospective Students for Cohort 3 (Spring 2025 and Fall 2025--UPDATED 5/5/25)
Which schools are currently partnered with us under the MHSPD grant program?
All of the Learning Education Agencies (LEAs) being served by our program are high-needs New York Public schools. Currently, we have training agreements with KIPP NYC, Districts 9, and 75. We hope to continue adding partnerships with additional districts as our program continues to expand. It should be noted that none of our current participating schools/school districts - KIPP, District 9, and District 75 - provide assessment services.
Can I be placed in a school that is not partnered with the MHSPD grant program?
Yes, as long as your placement school meets the high-need school or district criteria -- see below. The goal of our grant is to place students within our partnering schools. As such, we will prioritize placements at these sites. Students cannot cite transportation issues as a reason for not being placed at a partnering school. If a placement at a partnering school is not possible due to circumstances beyond the student’s control, placements at non-partner schools may be considered as long as the school meets our high-need district and/or school criteria. In these unusual cases, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Fordham and the school (district) is required. We will provide the MOU template, which must be signed by both Fordham and, preferably, the district superintendent before the placement can proceed.
We are also actively working to expand our partnerships with additional school districts to provide more placement opportunities for our students!
What is the high-need school or district criteria?
Note that a high-need school district (LEA) is not necessarily the same as a high-need school. As long as a school will meet any of the requirements for either, that would be sufficient.
A high-need school district (LEA) means an LEA—
(a)(1) For which at least 20 percent of the children served by the agency are children from low-income backgrounds;
(2) That serves at least 10,000 children from low-income backgrounds;
(3) That meets the eligibility requirements for funding under the Small, Rural School Achievement (SRSA) program under section 5211(b) of the ESEA; or
(4) That meets the eligibility requirements for funding under the Rural and Low-Income School (RLIS) program under section 5221(b) of the ESEA; and—
(b) For which there is a high student to qualified mental health services provider ratio as compared to other LEAs statewide or nationally.
A high-need school means a school that, based on the most recent data available, meets at least one of the following:
(a) The school is in the highest quartile of all schools served by an LEA ranked in descending order by percentage of students from low-income backgrounds enrolled in such schools, as determined by the LEA based on one of the following measures of poverty:
(1) The percentage of students aged 5 through 17 in poverty counted in the most recent census data approved by the Secretary.
(2) The percentage of students eligible for a free or reduced-price school lunch under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act based on the most recently available data.
(3) The percentage of students in families receiving assistance under the State program funded under part A of Title IV of the Social Security Act.
(4) The percentage of students eligible to receive medical assistance under the Medicaid program.
(5) A composite of two or more of the measures described in paragraphs (a)(1) through (4).
(b) In the case of—
(1) An elementary school, the school serves students not less than 60 percent of whom are eligible for a free or reduced-price school lunch under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act based on the most recently available data; or
(2) Any other school that is not an elementary school, the other school serves students not less than 45 percent of whom are eligible for a free or reduced-price school lunch under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act based on the most recently available data.
How long does the grant program last?
Participation in the program lasts across two semesters: Spring 2025 and Fall 2025 and Spring 2026. The first spring semester consists of comprehensive training for grant recipients, and the following fall semester involve an active practicum placement in a high-needs school.
How many positions are available through the grant program?
For cohort 3, we anticipate to select 25-30 PES students. The grant-funded program offers a limited number of positions to ensure quality mentorship and supervision.
What are the benefits of participating in the grant program?
By participating in the MHSPD grant program, graduate students can gain practical experience and hands-on training in their respective fields. Students will also contribute to the academic and personal development of students in high-needs schools. Gaining hands-on experience through the grant program can also strengthen career prospects in the fields of school psychology, school counseling, and mental health counseling.
Will participating in the grant program affect students' academic progress?
The grant program is designed to complement students' academic progress in their degree programs and provide them with practical experience. Efforts are made to ensure that participation in the program does not negatively affect students' academic responsibilities or degree program timelines.
What does funding look like for program participants?
Each student selected in Cohort 3 will receive funding support exceeding $21,000: 4 credits of tuition remission in each of the two semesters -- Spring 2025 and,Fall 2025 (GSE's current tuition rate for AY 2024-25 is $1,736.) Since this is a federal grant, students must have the latest FAFSA on file for the funds to be processed within the financial aid system. Please note that funding support will discontinue after the current budget year of 2025.
What happens if I am unable to fulfill the grant requirements?
Your past tuition remission funds will be charged back to your student account If you are unable to fulfill the grant requirements.
How does receiving other forms of GSE school-based aid affect the funding support I receive under this grant?
If you are receiving other forms of GSE school-based aid, adjustments may be necessary to prevent over-awarding and ensure compliance with regulations that prohibit total aid from exceeding the semester’s cost of attendance. For example, if you are enrolled in only 3 credits, your tuition remission will cover only those 3 credits, even if you are eligible to receive 4 credits of tuition remission. Additionally, students are not eligible to receive refunds from GSE aid.
Do I need to be enrolled in a specific course to participate in the grant program?
Yes, participation in the grant program requires enrollment in a field experience or practicum course during both semesters of your anticipated MSHPD participation year as part of your degree program. Please ensure you are registered for at least one semester of field experience or practicum courses for the 2025 fall semester. Courses that make students eligible for grant-funded externships in 2025/2026 include, among others, PGSE 6651, PGSE 6653, PGSE 6652, PGSE 6654, PGSE 7480, PGSE 7481, PSGE 7482, PSGE 7483, PGSE 7510, and PGSE 7511. These courses are listed in more detail on the "How to Apply" page of the website. Please contact your academic program coordinator if you have questions about which field experience course you can expect to be taking during the grant program year.
I completed my practicum in a partnering school before beginning with the MHSPD grant program. Would this experience count toward fulfilling the grant’s requirements?
No, that experience would not count toward your required degree program hours. The first semester you accept the offer is considered a training semester, during which students are expected to engage in biweekly training sessions. We expect students in cohort 3 to complete their practicum experience during the designated fall 2025 semester.
What does practicum training look like?
Practicum training opportunities vary by school site and may include individual counseling, group counseling, consultation, and classroom support. The specific experiences available will depend on both the site and the requirements of your degree program. Please consult your academic program guidelines to ensure you understand and meet your field placement requirements.
I am planning to accept or have already accepted an internship outside of New York State. Am I still eligible to participate in the MHSPD grant?
No, you would not be eligible to participate in the MHSPD grant if you have accepted or intend to accept an internship outside of New York State. This experience is specifically for students placed at sites within NYS, as our high-need school criteria are based on schools within NYC.
Who is eligible for participation in the MHSPD grant program?
Students must meet the following criteria in order to be eligible for participation in the grant program:
Must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident in the U.S.
Must be a current Fordham PES student in good academic standing, preferably with a GPA of 3.5 or higher in the School Counseling, Mental Health Counseling, Counseling Psychology, or School Psychology Programs.
Must be eligible to complete in the Fall 2025 semester of the required practicum, field experience, externship, or internship. This includes being enrolled in eligible placement classes during the Fall 2025 semester (see the "How to Apply" page for more information). The placement will be in one of our partnering high-need schools.
Must be able to complete this field experience in conjunction with their degree program requirements. Applicants should check with their program faculty/advisor for specific requirements, including the minimum number of direct service hours and any requirements for supervision, including whether the supervisor has to be on-site, what degree they have to hold, etc.
How many hours a week will I be going to my site?
The number of hours you go to your school each week is determined by the requirements of the corresponding practicum/field experience course you are enrolled in and your specific academic degree program. For example, if you are a MHC student enrolled in a field experience class, you need to complete your 600-hr internship at the site.
Can I participate in the grant program for multiple training cycles?
No. In order to give as many students as possible opportunities to participate in the program, we can only accept each student for one training cycle.
Are there any additional requirements or expectations for selected students?
Selected students are required to review and sign a MHSPD Grant Recipient Service Agreement (Cohort 3). They are expected to adhere to the policies, guidelines, and code of conduct established by the grant program, the host school or district, and their respective academic institutions. Professional and ethical conduct is expected at all times. Regular reporting, prompt communication, consistent attendance, and active participation in program activities are required. Students who fail to meet these standards may be subject to remediation or, if necessary, removal from the program.
Who should I contact if I have further questions about the grant program?
For any additional questions or inquiries regarding the grant program, please reach out to the program director, Eric C. Chen, PhD, Director of the MHPSD grant at echen@fordham.edu.
For Current Cohort 2 Students (Spring 2024 to Spring 2025)
What course do I have to be enrolled in to get credit for my MHSPD grant-funded externship?
The course you will need to take in order to receive credit varies depending on your degree program. Typically, the course will be whichever field experience course you have that semester. Courses that make students eligible for grant-funded externships in 2024/2025 include PGSE 6651, PGSE 6653, PGSE 6652, PGSE 6654, PGSE 7480, PGSE 7481, PGSE 7510, PGSE 7511, PGSE 7482, and PGSE 7483. These courses are listed in more detail on the ‘How to Apply’ page of the website. Please contact your program coordinator if you have questions about which field experience course you can expect to be taking during the grant program year.
What do I do if I have an issue at my training site?
If you’re having trouble with some aspect of your training site, please first reach out to your site supervisor, as they are the expert on your placement and the specific training you’re receiving there. If you need additional support or assistance, please reach out to Gabriela Munoz De Zubiria (gmunozdezibiria@fordham.edu) and Zainab Raza (Zraza@fordham.edu) for help.
What do I do if I need to leave the program part way through?
You are contracted to participate in the program for the duration of the training year. That said, if you need to leave the grant program prior to its conclusion for any reason, please contact Eric Chen (echen@fordham.edu) right away. You will no longer receive grant-related tuition and fee remission if you withdraw from the program.
What do I do if I change school placements before the end of the grant program?
If you need to change school placements midyear, please notify Dr. Eric C. Chen (echen@fordham.edu) immediately with your new placement information. Your new placement must meet high-needs school criteria in order for you to continue to participate in the grant program.
Who do I contact if my tuition remission does not appear on my bill as a part of my financial aid?
If you have questions related to your tuition remission and grant related funding as pertains to your GSE bill or financial aid, please contact Anisa Sanchez (anitorres@fordham.edu) for support.
Will the MHSPD grant funds cover any late fees incurred if my bill is not paid by the due date?
Late fees cannot be waived if your portion of the tuition was not paid by the due date. Students are notified in advance of the amount they will receive from the MHSPD grant. If you paid your portion on time and a late fee was applied due to a delay in the grant funds being applied, the fee could be waived. This policy is in line with the university Bursar’s regulations.