Lehman/OMH Mental Health Workforce Scholarship Program for Underrepresented and/or Multilingual Students

Expanding and Diversifying the Mental Health Professionals Pipeline

Underrepresented racial and ethnic groups are historically scarce in the mental health workforce. This under-representation is one of the key drivers of mental health disparities among marginalized populations. Providers from under-represented groups are more likely to have the experience and cultural competence necessary to understand and effectively meet the needs of these underserved populations. A diverse workforce has proven to result in greater patient/client satisfaction, engagement, and retention in care. To address this diversity issue, the Office of Mental Health, in partnership with CUNY schools, have created the CUNY/OMH Mental Health Workforce Scholarship Program for Underrepresented and/or Multilingual Students, a seamless pipeline that will attract, retain, and graduate underrepresented students, and students that are multilingual, in the various mental health professions.

Components of the program include:

• Scholarships
• Paid Internships
• Professional/Career Development Workshops
• Advising and Mentoring
• Fee waivers for students applying to professional programs

Who is eligible?

Applicant must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Be a member of a group traditionally underrepresented in the mental health field and/or a multilingual student as defined in the eligibility requirements.
• Students from the following under-represented groups are eligible to apply:
  • Hispanic (including Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, Latinx and Spanish origin),
  • African American/Black,
  • American Indian/Alaskan Native,
  • Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, or
  • Asian (including Indian subcontinent and Philippines origin)
• Students who meet the following language requirements are eligible to apply:
  • Students who receive a passing score on a language placement exam (Please contact your campus regarding a language placement exam, if needed) or
  • Students who are cross-enrolled in a language-specific degree program

Students who meet all of the following criteria are eligible to apply:

• Major in a mental health discipline leading to a career as a mental health professional (see Eligible Degree Programs box)
• Be a US Citizen or Permanent Resident
• Be a resident of New York State
• Be in good academic standing (2.5 cumulative grade point average or better)
• Maintain full time student status in the mental health career major
• Be at least a second-year undergraduate student with sophomore status or first-year graduate student

Eligible Degree Programs

• Bachelor of Arts Degree program in Social work
• Master of Science Degree in Mental Health Counseling, and School Counseling (please see the School of Education Website)

How to Apply?

Click on this link that will take you to the application form OR use your camera scan feature to scan the QR code.

Complete the application, upload the required diversity statement, and sign the attestation form at the end of the application.