Higher Education Mental Health Workforce Pilot Grants
Limited submissionForecasted
Higher Education Mental Health Workforce Pilot Grants support Virginia public colleges in expanding student mental health care while social work and counseling graduates gain supervised hours toward licensure.
Funder: State Council of Higher Education for Virginia
Due Dates (Anticipated): September 2027 (proposal deadline)
Funding Amounts: Up to $100,000 per year; up to $200,000 total over a 24–32-month grant period
Summary: Supports on-campus student mental health services while helping social work and counseling graduates gain supervised hours toward licensure.
Key Information: Only Virginia public institutions of higher education with an approved supervisor on payroll may apply.
Description
The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV), in consultation with the Virginia Health Care Foundation, administers this program to address two connected needs: student demand for on-campus mental health care and the shortage of licensed mental health professionals. Established by the Virginia General Assembly in 2022 as a pilot, the program became permanent in 2026.
Grants support graduates of Master of Social Work or Master of Counseling programs as they provide in-person care at campus student health or counseling centers. Under supervision, they gain clinical hours toward licensure as licensed clinical social workers or licensed professional counselors. Institutions hire, train and supervise the candidates while expanding services available to students.
