Children and Families Impact Scholarship

About

The purpose of this scholarship is to support BIPOC students who are pursuing careers offering preventive services to children and families in Minnesota. Preventive services include, but are not limited to, mental health, behavioral health, and youth work. Preventive services do not include child protection, foster care and adoption, and education.

Award Amount and Number of Scholarships

In 2024, MSSA will award 10 scholarships in the amount of $5,000 each to 10 BIPOC students enrolled in a health and human services-related degree program.

Eligibility Criteria - Children and Families Impact Scholarship

Eligible applicants:

• Must be a member of MSSA
• Must identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, Person of Color)
• Must be enrolled in a degree-seeking program from a nonprofit, accredited college or university
• For undergraduate students: Must have declared a health and human service-related major.
• For graduate students: Must be enrolled in or have applied to a health and human-services related masters or doctoral program.
• Relevant majors/programs include, but are not limited to:
  • Social Work
  • Psychology
  • Counseling
  • Healthcare Services Administration
  • Alcohol and Drug Studies
  • Family Consumer Science
  • Health Science
  • Criminal Justice
  • Human Development and Family Services
  • Sociology
  • Public Administration
  • Public Health
• Have a minimum of one semester left in the 2024-2025 academic year (Fall 2024, Winter 2024, Spring 2025, Summer 2025)
• Have experience working with (via field practicum, paid employment, or volunteer experience) or plan to work with children and/or families in Minnesota. If currently in an internship/practicum, it must be unpaid. Eligible areas include preventive services such as:
  • Mental health
  • Behavioral health
  • Home visiting
  • Community work / Community development
  • Youth work
  • Basic needs
  • School social work
  • Hospital social work
  • Parent Support Outreach Program
  • Child protection
  • Foster care and adoption
• Ineligible areas include k-12 education, early childhood education, and nursing.
• Scholarship recipients will be required to provide proof of enrollment for the 2024-2025 academic year.

Application Criteria

Applicants will complete the following:

• Online application form
• One to two essay questions regarding career goals and interest in health and human services
  
• One letter of reference from a professional or academic relationship
  

Thank you to the Sauer Family Foundation for funding these scholarships!