Funding Opportunities for Graduate School

Information related to tuition and fees, payment due dates, and refunds can be found at the Office of Student Billing & Account Services Tuition for graduate programs, including distant learning programs can be found at the Tuition and Fees tab.

Western Kentucky University awards graduate assistantships (GA) to select graduate students in programs across campus. Assistantships are one-year contracts beginning at the start of the fall semester that may extend to two years pending need, budgetary allowances, as well informal and formal evaluations of their previous work. GAs hired to work in the Department of Counseling and Student Affairs complete their 20 hours/week on campus supporting the department and faculty in activities related to marketing and recruitment (often scheduled on Saturdays), research, teaching, and administrative duties. GAs follow WKU’s administrative work schedule and should be available to assist faculty during WKU business hours, M-F 8-4:30 PM, with the exception of when they have class or internship scheduled. Graduate Assistants must maintain a GPA of 3.0 to maintain employment contract. In order to apply for a GA position in the counseling department, fill out the application and email it to the Department’s GA Coordinator, Dr. Lacretia Dye by March 15th. (JUMP students are not eligible for Graduate Assistantships. Graduate assistantships may jeopardize military education benefits; students receiving such are responsible for contacting their assigned military contact to assure otherwise.)

Graduate Research Assistantship (GR/GA): employed by the university to perform duties related to a scholarly project or program of research under the guidance and direction of faculty members. The duties of a research assistant involve applying and mastering conceptual and theoretical ideas, practices, or methods of scholarship.   

Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GT/TA):GT/TAs are available upon need and qualifications to help professors with units in undergraduate classes. They may serve as discussion leaders, graders, leaders of laboratory sections, or may assist in capacities such as preparation of assignments, and other administrative duties necessary for a course.

The Gatton Academy at WKU hires full-time Residential Counselors (RCs) to provide support and mentorship to Gatton students. RCs have earned a bachelor’s degree and live on single gender wings at Gatton. They play an essential role in Gatton students’ experiences, building positive wing cultures and planning student activities. This employment position is ideal for counseling students who seek full-time employment (including housing), want to benefit from WKU’s employee tuition waiver, and plan on completing the counseling program on the 3- or 4-year track. RC positions are usually posted on the WKU HR website in May and are filled by July with a start date in late July. Inquiries should contact Dr. Lynette Breedlove, Director of The Gatton Academy for more information.

Testimonial of past Clinical Mental Health Counseling students who were employed as RCs: “Working as RCs at The Gatton Academy while enrolled as graduate students provided us with hands-on opportunities to apply content we were learning in class. Likewise, our experiences at Gatton provided us with lots of questions and valuable experiences to further explore and inquire about with professors and classmates. The fact that our tuition was covered in the benefits of the job made the arrangement a perfect fit. We’d recommend it to anyone!”

• P.E.O. Educational Loan Fund (ELF): Intended to help qualified women attain a degree or certification from an accredited postsecondary educational institution. The maximum loan amount is $15,000 for master’s degrees.
• P.E.O. Projects: Make a difference in women's lives with six philanthropies that include five projects that provide higher educational assistance.
• National Health Service Corps: These programs offer scholarships and loan repayment programs available to mental and behavioral health professionals addressing a growing health care shortage in rural, urban, and tribal communities.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness: The PSLF Program is intended to encourage individuals to enter and continue to work full-time in public service jobs. Under this program, borrowers may qualify for forgiveness of the remaining balance of their Direct Loans after they have made 120 qualifying payments on those loans while employed full time by certain public service employers. View this PSLF step-by-step video guide to learn more.

• National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC) Fellowships: By providing scholarships and fellowships to counselors-in-training, the Foundation increases the number of counselors committed to helping priority underserved communities. The Foundation offers scholarships and fellowships to master’s and doctoral counseling students, training awards to individuals earning the BCC certification, and professional development awards to CCE credential holders. View their list of scholarships including those related to serving military, rural, and minority populations (Deadlines: Sep & May).
• American Counseling Association (ACA): Funding opportunities are available for students to participate in conferences (volunteer for half off the registration fee), essay contests, and research grants through ACA, the ACA foundation, and the ACA divisions.
• Kentucky Counseling Association (KCA): There are summer scholarships and conference volunteer opportunities available for a student counselor at each of the participating universities with counselor education programs.
• Chi Sigma Iota International (CSI): Once a member of this counseling honor society, there are research grants, fellowships, essay contests, and other opportunities to help fund professional development and engagement within the profession.
• American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT): They offer a Minority Fellowship Program is available for master's level students in the MCFC program. Visit the application information to learn more. Their website also provides a variety of research and grant resources.
• NAADC Minority Fellowship Program for Addiction Counselors. Up to $20,000 tuition stipend available to master's students interested in specializing in addiction/substance abuse and open to working with the needs of a racial/ethnic minorities and/or transition age youth after graduation. Funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). See the website for information or flyer for details and application requirements.
• AAUW Career Development Grants provide funding to women who hold a bachelor’s degree and are preparing to advance or change careers or re-enter the workforce. Primary consideration is given to women of color and women pursuing their first advanced degree or credentials in nontraditional fields. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents whose last degree was received before June 30, 2010. Funds are available for tuition, fees, books, supplies, local transportation, and dependent care. Grants provide support for course work beyond a bachelor’s degree, including a master’s degree, certification program, or specialized training in technical or professional fields. Applications are open Aug 1 - Dec 15). Visit their website to learn more.
• Kenton County Retired Teachers Association Scholarship: $600.00 scholarship for a Kenton County resident who is enrolled in the College of Education and is a senior or someone working on his/her post graduate degree/certification. View the KCTRAS information and application form.