Therapy.com Mental Health 2026 Scholarship
We’re offering $2,250 in awards for U.S. students who are passionate about expanding mental health access. The essay-based application is free to access, and no transcript is required.
Supporting the Next Generation of Mental Health Advocates
At Therapy.com, our mission is to make quality mental health care accessible to everyone. We believe meaningful change starts with the students who will shape tomorrow’s healthcare systems, social services, and communities.
The Therapy.com Mental Health Scholarship allows you to share your insights on one of the most important conversations in healthcare: How can we improve access and support for mental health?
Whether you’re studying psychology, social work, nursing, education, or you simply care deeply about mental health equity, your perspective deserves to be heard and rewarded.
"We want to hear how your generation is navigating the conversation around mental healthcare, and what role therapy should play in making support more accessible."
— The Therapy.com Team
Who Can Apply?
Open to current and incoming U.S. college students of all majors. Mental health advocacy matters across every field of study.
Enrolled or Planning to Enroll
Applicants must be currently enrolled in or planning to enroll in an accredited college or university (undergraduate or graduate).
All Majors Welcome
Psychology, counseling, social work, and healthcare students encouraged to apply. Any student with a passion for mental health is eligible.
Good Academic Standing
Applicants must be in good academic standing at their current institution at the time of application and award disbursement.
U.S. Based Students Only
Applicants must be entering or attending a college or university located within the United States.
Four Simple Steps
The application takes 10-20 minutes to complete and includes an essay and contact information. No transcripts or letters of recommendation are required.
Review the Prompt
Read the essay prompt carefully. Brainstorm your perspective on mental health access and treatment options.
Write Your Essay
Draft an original 800-1200 words essay in your own voice. Share personal insights, research-backed ideas, or real-world solutions.
Complete the Form
Fill out the application form with your personal and school information, then paste your essay directly into the submission form.
Submit by Nov 30, 2026
Submit before Nov 30, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST. Late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.
How we Evaluate Submissions
Our Therapy.com mental health professionals and editorial staff review all submissions anonymously. Award decisions are final. Here’s a look at our scoring system:
Originality & Insight
The essay should offer a fresh, genuine perspective grounded in your experience. Personal insights and creative approaches are rewarded over generic summaries.
Relevance & Substance
We’ll measure how well the essay addresses the prompt, demonstrates research, offers real-world awareness, and presents a clear, defensible thesis.
Writing Quality
We value clear, engaging prose with strong organization, grammar, and flow. Conviction and clarity matter most, not academic jargon.
Actionability & Impact
The essay should propose tangible solutions or actionable ideas to meaningfully advance the mental health access conversation.
Selection Process & Conflict of Interest Policy
The judging panel consists of Therapy.com reviewers with no personal relationship to applicants. In the first round of reviews, we will evaluate all essays anonymously. In the event of a tie, a senior panel member will conduct a secondary review. The judges’ decisions are final, and Therapy.com reserves the right to disqualify submissions that do not meet eligibility requirements. Winning essays may be published on Therapy.com with the author's written consent.
Scholarship Timeline
Mark these dates in your calendar. All deadlines are 11:59 PM Eastern Time.
Applications Open
Start writing your essay today
Application Deadline
11:59 PM ET - No late submissions
Review Period
Panel evaluates all submissions anonymously
Winners Notified
Results sent to all applicants via email
Awards Issued
Funds disbursed directly to winners
Share This Opportunity With Your Students
We welcome partnerships with financial aid offices, psychology departments, and student services teams who want to promote this scholarship to eligible students.
Eligible for Your Students
The Therapy.com Mental Health Scholarship is open to undergraduate and graduate students in the U.S. across any major. Students in mental-health-related fields, such as psychology, counseling, social work, and healthcare, are especially encouraged to apply. We also accept submissions from high school seniors.
Legitimate & Transparent
There is no purchase required to apply. We openly share all of our judging criteria and publicly announce all winners. The application submission process is privacy-compliant with clear terms.
Coordinate Inquiries
Questions from financial aid offices, scholarship boards, or department coordinators should be directed to: [email protected]
Tell Us What You Think
Write an original essay responding to the prompt below.
Mental health support is more visible than ever, yet many people still struggle to access or engage with therapy. In your view, what are the biggest barriers preventing people from seeking or receiving effective mental health care today? What role should therapy play in addressing these challenges, and what actionable solutions would you propose to improve access, trust, or outcomes?
- All entries must be typed, double-spaced, and saved as a Word Doc or PDF
- Do not add pictures or graphics
- Essays that do not meet the word count requirement will be eliminated. (The essay title or added references / footnotes do not contribute to the total word count.)
- AI-generated essays will not be accepted
- A contestant’s teacher, counselor, or parent may check the essay for punctuation, grammar, and/or spelling, but the essay MUST BE the original work of the student making the submission.
By entering, participants agree to all contest rules and decisions, which are final. Late or non-compliant submissions will not be considered. Therapy.com reserves the right to modify deadlines or rules at any time and will notify participants of material changes; entrants may withdraw if they do not agree.
All eligible, on-time submissions will be reviewed; however, awards may be revoked if a participant is found ineligible or in violation of the rules. By submitting, entrants grant Therapy.com the right to use, reproduce, and publish their essays and, for winners, their name and identifying information for promotional purposes. All submissions become the property of Therapy.com.
Winners are responsible for any applicable federal, state, or local taxes or fees associated with prizes.
Submit Your Application
Free to apply. Takes less than 20 minutes. Deadline: Nov 30, 2026
Fall 2026 Scholarship Application
All fields marked with * are required. Your information is kept private and used only for scholarship evaluation. No purchase necessary.
Got Questions?
Here’s everything you need to know about applying for the Therapy.com Mental Health Scholarship.
Is there a fee to apply?
No. This scholarship is completely free for applicants. No purchase, subscription, or payment of any kind is required to enter, be considered, or win.
Who is eligible to apply?
Current and incoming undergraduate or graduate students enrolled at an accredited U.S. college or university. All majors are welcome. High school seniors who have been accepted to a U.S. institution are also eligible.
Do I need to be a U.S. citizen to apply?
You do not need to be a U.S. citizen. However, you must be attending or planning to attend a college or university located within the United States.
Do I need to maintain a certain GPA?
There is no minimum GPA requirement. You must be in good academic standing at your institution at the time of application and at the time of award disbursement.
Can I change my essay after submitting?
No. Once your application is submitted, it cannot be edited or resubmitted. Please review your essay carefully before submitting. We recommend having a trusted teacher, counselor, or peer review it for grammar and clarity beforehand.