Rehabilitation Counseling
Scholarship Opportunities
WVU offers a scholarship program funded by the US Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) to provide tuition and stipend assistance to eligible students in our rehabilitation counseling program. Priority is given to applicants who (1) have a significant disability; (2) are of minority background; and/or (3) will serve people living in a rural area. Applications are NOT limited to individuals who meet this criteria, these are priorities in awards.
The purpose of this RSA program is to ensure that skilled personnel are available to serve the rehabilitation needs of individuals with disabilities assisted through vocational rehabilitation, supported employment and independent living programs. The program requires trainees who receive assistance either to work for a period of time in public or private nonprofit rehabilitation agencies or related agencies, including professional corporations or professional practice groups that have service arrangements with a state agency, or to pay back the assistance they received.
Essential Information:
Internship: As part of the requirements of this program, those receiving scholarships will be expected to complete their internship experience at a public vocational rehabilitation agency (e.g., WV Division of Rehabilitation Services, PA Office of Vocational Rehabilitation) or non-profit community rehabilitation program that operates under contract with the federal-state vocational rehabilitation system.
Written Agreement: You will be agreeing to the following statement: "I understand that, if I am awarded a scholarship, I will be expected to sign an agreement that stipulates the “pay back” expectations of the award. Specifically, I shall maintain employment in a nonprofit rehabilitation agency or related agency or in a State rehabilitation agency or related agency, including a professional corporate or professional practice group through which the individual has a service arrangement with the designated State agency; on a full or part time basis; for a period of not less than the full-time equivalent of 2 years for each year for which assistance was received, within a period, beginning after the recipient completes the training for which the scholarship was awarded, of not more than the sum of the number of years in the period described and 2 additional years; and repay all or part of any scholarship received, plus interest, if the individual does not fulfill the requirements, except as the Commissioner by regulation may provide for repayment exceptions and deferrals. "
For more information and to apply, please review the following documents