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Diversity in Counseling Scholarship

Capella University is pleased to offer a $2,000 Diversity in Counseling Scholarship, which recognizes the value of diverse backgrounds, cultures and beliefs in counselor education and in the counseling field.

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Diversity in Counseling Scholarship

The counselor education and family therapy programs in the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Capella University reflect our belief that a diverse learning community is critical to preparing future practitioners. An inclusive learning environment that values individual differences will prepare all students to better serve their clients and communities. The first step begins with investing in you.

The Diversity in Counseling Scholarship is designed to support students from a wide range of backgrounds, cultures and beliefs who aspire to enhance counseling services in their communities. Because the communities we serve are vast, we value and seek to support all types of diversity through this scholarship. It is our vision for this scholarship to empower individuals from diverse backgrounds to pursue their academic goals and ultimately transform their communities through the services they provide. We will award this competitive $2,000 scholarship to up to 20 students who are enrolled in an eligible doctoral or master’s program in the GuidedPath learning format. Eligibility requirements apply. 

Eligibility requirements

  • Admissions Must meet Capella University admission requirements.
  • Student criteria Must be a new student, or a former student reapplying to the university, accepted into and enrolled in an eligible program in the GuidedPath learning format at Capella University by Nov. 6, Dec. 4, 2023, or Jan. 8, 2024.*
  • Academic standards Adhere to all applicable Capella University policies, including but not limited to academic standing (3.01.04 Academic Standing) and financial aid satisfactory academic progress (3.01.05 FASAP).
  • First course Must successfully pass your first course upon first attempt. Returning students must pass first course taken upon readmission to Capella.

*FlexPath and certificate applicants are not eligible. Refer to scholarship details below for further information regarding student eligibility criteria.

How to apply

  • Step 1 – Apply to Capella. Submit your Capella University online admission application.
    Already applied? Skip this step.
  • Step 2 – Apply for the scholarship. After completing step 1, apply for the Diversity in Counseling Scholarship by 11:59 p.m. Central Time, Jan. 8, 2024.* Include your responses to the essay questions (350–500 words).
  • Step 3 – Start your classes. Once you are admitted to Capella, begin courses by Nov. 6, Dec. 4, 2023, or Jan. 8, 2024.*

*Scholarship applications received after this date will not be considered. The recipients of the scholarship will be notified by April 22, 2024. Applicants who are not awarded the Diversity in Counseling Scholarship will not be notified. If you have not heard from the Capella Scholarship Committee by this date, you were not chosen as one of this quarter’s recipients. See eligibility requirements and scholarship details below.

Eligible programs

Disbursement information

The Diversity in Counseling Scholarship can be applied only to an eligible doctoral or master's program in the GuidedPath learning format. The $2,000 will be applied to your Capella account during the third week of the quarter, disbursed equally over two consecutive quarters ($1,000 per quarter).

Start Date Date of First Disbursement
Application Opens Oct. 10, 2023
Application Closes Jan. 8, 2024
Recipients Notified By April 22, 2024
Date of First Disbursement April 2024

Diversity in Counseling Scholarship details:

  • Admissions Must meet Capella University admission requirements.
  • Student criteria Must be a new student, or former student reapplying to the university, accepted into and enrolled in the university when reapplying, and must meet an eligible program in the GuidedPath learning format at Capella University by Nov. 6, Dec. 4, 2023 or Jan. 8, 2024
  • Academic standards Adhere to all applicable Capella University policies, including but not limited to academic standing (3.01.04 Academic Standing) and financial aid satisfactory academic progress (3.01.05 FASAP).
  • First course Must successfully pass your first course upon first attempt. Returning students must pass first course taken upon readmission to Capella.
  • The Capella Scholarship Committee will select the scholarship recipient based on eligibility requirements and the content, clarity and writing of the response to the essay questions. Scholarship criteria are subject to state and federal law and may be modified at the university’s discretion.
  • Recipients who do not remain enrolled through the first two weeks of the quarter will forfeit the award for that quarter.
  • Recipients who change to an ineligible program, graduate, are dismissed from the university, or are inactive from the university for four consecutive quarters for any reason will have all future disbursements canceled.
  • In some circumstances, Capella quarterly tuition may be lower than a quarterly disbursement. In other cases, recipients may complete their programs before they receive all quarterly disbursements. Under no circumstances will recipients be eligible for cash payment or other compensation for the value of unused disbursements.
  • Recipients of the Diversity in Counseling Scholarship are not eligible for other Capella grants or scholarships, or discounts in excess of 15%, with the exception of a Capella Progress Reward, if applicable.
  • The scholarship may decrease the amount of funding that can be offered from other sources, such as federal financial aid.
  • The scholarship is intended to address the cost of attendance, including but not limited to tuition. Books, supplies and other fees apply. Travel expenses for residencies, practicum, etc., are not covered by the scholarship. 
  • To be considered a former student reapplying to the university and eligible for this offer, the student must not be currently enrolled in the university when reapplying, and must meet one of the following four criteria:
    • Graduate of a Capella certificate or a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree program in the GuidedPath or FlexPath learning format.
    • Inactive from the university for at least four consecutive quarters.
    • Program of prior admittance to the university has been restaged or retired.
    • Applying to a program at a different degree level than program of prior admittance.

    Faculty and staff of Capella University, Strategic Education, Inc., and Strategic Education, Inc.'s subsidiaries and affiliates, as well as their spouses, domestic partners and dependent children, are not eligible for the scholarship.

    The terms and conditions of all scholarships and each subsequent renewal are subject to change and will be governed by university scholarship policies. Capella University reserves the right to cancel or modify any scholarship funded by the university at any time.

    Questions?
    Call an enrollment counselor at 1.866.679.9682 to learn more about this scholarship and explore Capella programs.

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Find funding options

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