Clark Family Mental Health and Disability Scholarship

Purpose of Scholarship

To provide financial support for individuals working in or planning to work in the fields of developmental disabilities or behavioral health within the eight-county area surrounding Rochester (Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, and Yates counties) who wish to pursue a master’s degree in their field. The intent of this scholarship is to elevate the state of practice and increase the number of individuals serving in the fields of developmental disabilities and behavioral health.

Application Period

December 1 to February 28

Number and Size of Awards

Number of recipients and award amounts vary; average award size is $7,500. The amount awarded will be based on the student’s actual cost of attendance, financial need, and receipt of other available grants and financial resources. Award paid in one lump sum in the Fall and divided equally between the Fall and Spring semesters.

Allowed Use of Award

Awards may be used for tuition, books, fees, and other graduate level educational expenses.

Eligibility Criteria

For individuals working in or planning to work in the fields of mental health, behavioral health, or developmental disabilities who are:

• Employed, volunteering, or interning at a nonprofit organization in the eight-county area surrounding Rochester (Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, and Yates counties);
• Accepted or enrolled in a graduate program at an accredited school and planning to attend full time (9-11 credit) or part time (1 to 8 credits);
• Working toward a clinical or administrative master’s degree that supports the fields of mental health, behavioral health, or developmental disabilities including, but not limited to, social work, nursing, OT/PT, HI/VI, psychology, and health administration;
• Committed to working in the mental health, behavioral health, or developmental disabilities fields for at least two years after obtaining their degree; and in financial need.

Preference may be given to individuals currently providing front-line, direct care and/or those attending nonprofit public or private colleges and universities.

Students pursuing traditional or accelerated master’s degree programs as well as students in the master’s degree portion of their 3+2, 4+1 or similar programs are eligible.

Application Process

To begin or continue your application, click here.

Committee/Selection Process

The selection process is coordinated through the Community Foundation and Coordinated Care Services, Inc. (CCSI). A committee convened by CCSI, which is comprised of CCSI representatives, professionals from the mental health and developmental disability service fields, Community Foundation representatives, and Clark family members, reviews applications and selects the recipient(s). Interviews may be requested.

Award Announcement and Payment

The Community Foundation emails an award notification with instructions for claiming the award to the recipient in the Spring. Payment is mailed to the school for the recipient’s account in one lump sum in the Fall and split between the Fall and Spring semesters once required documentation is received.

To release the scholarship payment, upload the requested and required information including your class schedule and tuition bill verifying enrollment in a master’s level program in the field of mental health, behavioral health, or developmental disabilities to the online Clark Family Scholarship application between July 1 and August 15.

Scholarships not claimed by February 15 in the assigned year will be forfeited. Email scholarships@racf.org with any questions or concerns.

Renewability

The scholarship is a one-time award; however, students may reapply in future years and receive a maximum of four awards during a consecutive six-year period.

Because the goal of this award is to help worthy recipients obtain a graduate-level degree, students may reapply if they demonstrate good academic standing and continued enrollment, financial need, association with a nonprofit in the fields of mental health, behavioral health, or developmental disabilities, and alignment with the award criteria.

Recipients are expected to obtain a graduate-level degree within six consecutive years.

Note: Prior recipients who reapply in future years are not guaranteed to receive a scholarship. Renewals are reviewed as part of a competitive process (separately from new applications).