Counseling Events, Scholarships, & Professional Development Opportunities

Please click on a link to view a more detailed description of each event. Please click “See All” at the bottom of the page to view descriptions of all opportunities.

Scholarships and Fellowships

Karr Scholarship

Apply for the Karr Scholarship for assistance paying for professional development opportunities here.

Counseling Fellowships Available

The NBCC Foundation (NBCCF) is pleased to announce the application period for the 2026 NBCCF Minority Fellowship Program (NBCCF MFP).

Up to 95 doctoral- and master’s-level Counseling fellowships are available for current Counseling students.

Fellowship award amounts range from $12,000 to $22,000 and include fellowships in the following categories:

Up to 20 doctoral fellowships for Counselor Education and Supervision students
Up to 32 master’s fellowships for Mental Health Counseling students
Up to 43 master’s fellowships for Addictions Counseling students

The MFP is made possible by a grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and is administered by the NBCC Foundation. Please be advised that MFP awards are subject to future funding from SAMHSA.

The application deadline is June 30, 2026. More information and to apply click this link.

New Hanover County Mental Health Fellows Program

Please see the New Hanover County Fellows opportunity. Please consider applying as many of our students have benefited from this opportunity and scholarship funds in the past. We were just notified that this application was live, so you will need to submit your application quickly.

New Hanover County created two programs providing tuition assistance to in-state college students seeking a career in the mental health care field, pursuing either a master’s-level mental health degree program or a doctoral degree as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner.

These programs aim to create a pipeline for mental health and substance use disorder providers locally to serve the growing needs of our community and fill critical gaps in services for underserved populations. This initiative was developed in partnership with community stakeholders to ensure every resident can access services that support their mental well-being.

New Hanover County developed a Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder strategic plan (view the plan here) which identified criteria and priorities for funding from the national opioid settlement and the New Hanover County Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder fund, which will support these fellows programs.

Full-time enrolled students taking part in the Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Fellows Program will be awarded $4,500 per semester, with a total funding limit not to exceed $36,000; while full-time enrolled students taking part in the Mental Health Provider Fellows Program will receive $3,500 per semester, with a maximum funding limit of $14,000.

Samba Recovery’s Hope for Addiction Scholarship

Samba Recovery’s Hope for Addiction Scholarship is an annual $1,000 award for students who are pursuing education that can help individuals and families affected by addiction or substance use disorders.

Scholarship details:
Name: Samba Recovery’s Hope for Addiction Scholarship
Award amount: $1,000
Deadline: February 28
Winner announcement: March 15
Apply for the Samba Recovery’s Hope for Addiction Scholarship here.
Eligibility: Open to students of all majors who are enrolled in or accepted to a college, university, or trade school.