Federal Grants for Counseling

Federal Grants for Counseling

There is federal funding available for student loans and for counseling services in many settings. ACA works to expand those programs and keep members apprised of the opportunities to apply for these grants.

• Health Resources & Services Administration "Find Grant Funding"
• National Health Service Corps program

Education Grants

Students can access information and funding opportunities to further their research and education.

• Federal Grants Portal
• Behavioral Health Grants
• Opioid-related Grants

Federal Funds for School Counseling

ACA has been successful in advocating for increased funding for behavioral health services in schools; and we will continue to work for funding increases. Working with the Title IV-A Coalition, ACA has encouraged Congress to provide funding for school behavioral health programs and to reject the government’s initial piecemeal approach to funding.

The bipartisan Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) includes a flexible block grant program under Title IV, Part A. Title IV, Part A authorizes activities in three broad areas: 

• Providing students with a well-rounded education (e.g., college and career counseling, STEM, music and arts, civics, IB/AP, computer science)
• Supporting safe and healthy students (e.g., comprehensive school mental health, drug and violence prevention, training on trauma-informed practices, health and physical education) and
• Supporting the effective use of technology (e.g., professional development, blended and personalized learning, and devices).

This additional funding will help provide all students with more access to mental health services. Schools will be able to hire more school counselors, create more opportunities for mental-health-related programs and develop programs designed to help create a safe and healthy school environment.

With your help, ACA can continue to advocate to ensure full funding for school counseling programs.