The NBCC Foundation is excited to administer Counseling scholarships on behalf of organizations to provide educational, professional development, and workforce expansion opportunities. The Foundation will work with your organization to develop a plan to successfully implement scholarships based on your needs.

Developing an Educational Scholarship Program 

Scholarships provide deserving students with the opportunity to achieve their educational goals, meet their career objectives, and reach their full potential. Additionally, scholarships allow professionals to pursue opportunities for continuing education and skill development. A scholarship for higher education is a form of financial aid that does not require repayment and is awarded to a student attending a postsecondary institution. 

Scholarships come in various forms and have specific eligibility criteria. These criteria may include academic performance, financial need, student demographics, geographic location, community involvement, overcoming adversity, athletic ability, and chosen career path, among others.

 Scholarship funds are financial awards that help students pay for eligible educational expenses, including tuition, student loans, textbooks, and more.

The IRS has strict guidelines that specify how to ensure scholarships are awarded based on merit (not as a lottery) and clearly define the permitted expenses for which scholarship funds may be used.

Starting a scholarship requires careful planning. It’s essential to establish clear eligibility criteria, outline the application process, and develop a fair method for selecting winners. Additionally, disbursing funds through a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization allows for tax-deductible donations to the scholarship fund and helps prevent any income tax burden for scholarship recipients.

The NBCC Foundation is pleased to announce an award opportunity through a partnership with the Center for Credentialing & Education (CCE). This training award program provides financial assistance to individuals pursuing the training necessary for the Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS) credential. The ACS award advances the professional identity and development of Counselors nationwide. Twenty (20) awards of $500 each are available to cover the costs of CCE-approved ACS training. You can find a list of the CCE-approved ACS training providers on CCE’s website. 

For more information about the ACS credential, including requirements, continuing education, and maintenance, please click here.

Eligibility Requirements: 

• Applicants must currently hold either professional licensure that authorizes them for independent practice in a behavioral/mental health field, or the National Certified Counselor (NCC) certification, issued by NBCC. Their NCC certification must have been maintained with no ethical holds or missed payments for a minimum of 1 year. 
• Applicants must currently hold a master’s degree or higher in a mental health field. Degrees must be from a postsecondary educational institution or program accredited by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). 
• Applicants who have completed a doctoral degree in Counselor Education and Supervision from a CACREP-accredited program may have already completed the training required to obtain the ACS credential. Please review the ACS Credential Eligibility Policy to verify if additional training is required to obtain the ACS credential before applying for this training award.
• Applicants must have extensive clinical experience in providing mental health or substance abuse counseling services.
• Applicants must commit to selecting a CCE-approved ACS training within 1 year of being awarded.
• Applicants must commit to applying for the CCE ACS credential within 1 year of the completion date of your CCE-approved ACS training program.

The application deadline is Aug. 31, 2026, at 11:59 pm EDT.

Training award winners will be announced by the end of December 2026. 

For questions, please review our Frequently Asked Questions or email foundation@nbcc.org.

If you experience any issues with the Submittable application platform, please email: support@submittable.com and copy foundation@nbcc.org. 

CCE provides the funding for these awards, which the NBCC Foundation administers on CCE’s behalf.

The NBCC Foundation (NBCCF) is pleased to announce an award opportunity available through a partnership with the Center for Credentialing & Education (CCE). This training award program provides financial assistance to individuals pursuing the training necessary for the Board Certified Coach (BCC) certification. Five (5) awards of up to $3,000 each are available to cover the costs of CCE-approved BCC training. You can find a list of CCE-approved BCC training providers on CCE’s website. 

Training must be chosen within 12 months of award notification, and an invoice or bill must be submitted to NBCCF. Funds will be remitted directly to the approved training provider. NBCCF reserves the right to adjust the award if the tuition is less than the award amount.

For more information about the BCC credential, including requirements, required training, and maintenance, please click here.

Eligibility Requirements: 

• Applicants must not currently be or previously have been certified as a BCC. 
• Applicants must currently hold a bachelor’s degree or higher in any field.
• Applicants must commit to applying for the BCC within 12 months of completion of the BCC training.
• Applicants must demonstrate exceptional coaching potential through one or more of the following:

1. access to the population in need of coaching or working in a setting conducive to coaching
2. background in leadership
3. hold or are pursuing a degree from a relevant program

The application deadline is Aug. 31, 2026, at 11:59 pm EDT.

Training award winners will be announced by the end of December 2026. 

For questions, please review our Frequently Asked Questions or email foundation@nbcc.org.

If you experience any issues with the Submittable application platform, please email: support@submittable.com and copy foundation@nbcc.org.

CCE provides the funding for these awards, which the NBCC Foundation administers on CCE’s behalf.

The NBCC Foundation is pleased to announce an award opportunity available through a partnership with the Center for Credentialing & Education (CCE). This program provides financial assistance to individuals pursuing the training necessary for the Board Certified-TeleMental Health Provider (BC-TMH) certification. Twenty (20) awards of $500 each are available to cover the costs of CCE-approved BC-TMH training. You can find a list of CCE-approved BC-TMH training providers on CCE’s website.

For more information about the BC-TMH credential, including requirements, required training, and maintenance, please click here.

Eligibility Requirements: 

• Applicants must currently be a National Certified Counselor (NCC) with no ethical holds OR must hold an active Counseling license or a license in a relevant mental health field issued by their state of residence with no ethical holds. 
• Applicants must currently hold a master’s degree or higher in a mental health field. Degrees must be from a postsecondary educational institution or program accredited by an accrediting agency or state approval agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education. 
• Applicants must have clinical experience in providing mental health or substance abuse counseling services. 
• Applicants must commit to completing CCE-approved BC-TMH training within 12 months of receiving the award. 
• Applicants must commit to applying for the BC-TMH certification within 12 months of completion of the BC-TMH training. 

The application deadline is Aug. 31, 2026, at 11:59 pm EDT.

Scholarship awardees will be announced by the end of December 2026.

For questions, please review our Frequently Asked Questions or email foundation@nbcc.org.

If you experience any issues with the Submittable application platform, please email support@submittable.com and copy foundation@nbcc.org.

CCE provides the funding for these awards, which the NBCC Foundation administers on CCE’s behalf.

The NBCC Foundation (NBCCF) is pleased to announce the Domestic Global Career Development Facilitator (GCDF) scholarships. These scholarships are made possible through a partnership with the Center for Credentialing & Education (CCE). This scholarship program aims to increase the number of available professionals providing quality career development services. In doing so, the GCDF scholarship program plays an important role in the Foundation’s mission to leverage the power of Counseling by strategically focusing resources for positive change.

For more information about the GCDF credential, please click here.

Six (6) domestic scholarships of up to $1,000 each are available to cover the costs of CCE-approved GCDF training. You can find a list of CCE-approved GCDF U.S. training providers on CCE’s website. Training must be chosen within 12 months of award notification, and an invoice or bill must be submitted to NBCCF. Funds will be remitted directly to the approved training provider. NBCCF reserves the right to adjust the award if the tuition is less than the award amount. 

Eligibility Requirements: 

• Applicants must be U.S. citizens or have permanent resident status.
• Applicants must possess a high school diploma/GED, associate degree, bachelor’s degree, or graduate degree.
• Applicants must be seeking their initial GCDF credential. 
• Applicants must commit to providing career counseling services for 2 years. 

The application deadline is Aug. 31, 2026, at 11:59 pm EDT.

Scholarship awardees will be announced by the end of December 2026. 

For questions, please review our Frequently Asked Questions or email foundation@nbcc.org.

If you experience any issues with the Submittable application platform, please email support@submittable.com and copy foundation@nbcc.org.

CCE provides the funding for these scholarships, which the NBCC Foundation administers on CCE’s behalf.

The NBCC Foundation is pleased to announce the International Global Career Development Facilitator (GCDF) scholarships. These scholarships are made possible through a partnership with the Center for Credentialing & Education (CCE). This scholarship program aims to increase the number of available professionals providing quality career development services. In doing so, the GCDF scholarship program plays an important role in the Foundation’s mission to leverage the power of Counseling by strategically focusing resources for positive change.

For more information on the GCDF credential, please click here.

Two (2) international scholarships in the amount of $1,000 each are available to cover the costs of CCE-approved GCDF training. Funds will be remitted directly to the scholarship recipient. 

Eligibility Requirements: 

• Applicants must commit to providing career counseling services for 2 years.
• Applicants must document one of the following:

1. an active GCDF credential in good standing and enrollment in an advanced education program in Counseling or advanced education program covering one or more GCDF competency areas, as appropriate to their country, or
2. enrollment in both a GCDF training program and a post-bachelor’s Counseling program or advanced education course covering one or more GCDF competency areas, as appropriate to their country. 

The application deadline is Aug. 31, 2026, at 11:59 pm EDT.

Scholarship awardees will be announced by the end of December 2026.

For questions, see our Frequently Asked Questions. Please contact the Foundation at foundation@nbcc.org with any additional questions. 

If you experience any issues with the Submittable application platform, please email support@submittable.com and copy foundation@nbcc.org.

CCE provides the funding for these scholarships, which the Foundation administers on CCE’s behalf. 

The NBCC Foundation is seeking dynamic presenters for our monthly webinar programs on:

1. Innovations in Counseling
2. Building Professional Excellence

These webinars enhance care for underserved minorities and provide ongoing training to NCCs and CCE credential holders in addition to Foundation Scholars and Fellows. These resources become part of our capacity-building plan and are archived in our webinar library available on CCE Academy. Webinars are conducted online, and no travel commitment is required from our webinar presenters. The NBCC Foundation handles all the logistics of managing the webinar platform, advertising, and promotion. All webinar presenters must hold a minimum of a master's degree in counseling or a related mental health field and be a board certified counselor.

Please use this form to nominate a presenter for an NBCC Foundation webinar. 

The NBCC Foundation (NBCCF) offers scholarships and fellowships to increase counseling services where they are needed most. NBCCF Board of Trustees determines priority areas annually. The current priority underserved areas are military communities, rural communities, minority populations, substance abuse, and career counseling and guidance. NBCCF also offers the Center for Credentialing & Education (CCE) scholarships and training awards. These awards enhance the careers of credentialed professionals by providing financial assistance to those seeking additional credentials and continuing education opportunities. 

NBCCF is accepting applications for volunteer application reviewers and mentors. 

NBCCF Volunteers Eligibility Requirements:

All NBCCF volunteers must meet the following eligibility requirements: 

• A master’s degree (or higher) in counseling and a minimum of two years of postgraduate experience. 

• Certification as a National Certified Counselor (NCC) in good standing.

• Counseling experience related to serving military, minority, rural populations, career counseling, or underserved minority populations.

• Volunteer application reviewers must commit to one review cycle.

• Volunteer mentors must commit to providing mentorship for a minimum of one year.

Application Reviewer Opportunities:

NBCCF volunteers will review scholarship and fellowship applications and rate applicants based on Board-determined criteria. Foundation staff will provide online training, the review periods will be 2-4 weeks in duration, and average eight hours of actual review time. All review processes will be online.

Interested NCCs should submit a brief letter of interest and résumé. The letter should demonstrate eligibility and availability and explain the potential candidate’s interest in being an application reviewer. 

Additional Eligibility Requirements for Reviewers:

      Fellowship and Scholarship Reviewers:

• Experience and knowledge with one or more of the following:

                 Career counseling and guidance

                 Substance abuse

                 Military and veteran populations

                 Rural communities

                 Underserved minority groups

                 Transition age youth

      CCE Scholarship Reviewers:

• Must hold one of the following CCE credentials, and be in good standing:

                  CCE Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS)

                  Board Certified Coach (BCC)

                  Global Career Development Facilitator (GCDF)

                  Board Certified-TeleMental Health Provider (BC-TMH) 

• Extensive experience working with and knowledge of one or more of the populations that the listed credential holders serve.

Mentorship Opportunities:

Each year, the Foundation awards fellowships and scholarships to more than 80 counseling master’s students who commit to serving the Foundation’s priority underserved populations of military communities, rural communities and minority populations or providing career development services. The fellowships and scholarships provide substantial financial awards as well as training and support services, including mentors. 

Experienced master’s-level National Certified Counselors (NCCs) have the opportunity to volunteer as mentors for the NBCC Minority Fellowship Program (MFP) and NBCC Foundation scholarship program. Fellows and scholars with active mentor connections demonstrate increased success in completing master’s programs, contributing effective research, and attaining related employment and other opportunities. NBCCF will match mentors and Fellows or Scholars based on interests and experience. 

At minimum, mentors will provide four interactions with their assigned Fellow or Scholar and make themselves available for additional inquiries based on mutual agreement with their mentee. Mentors will receive online training and orientation prior to engagement. The duration of the commitment is one year. 

NCCs interested in mentoring can submit their application (including a brief letter of interest and résumé). The letter of interest should demonstrate eligibility and explain the candidate’s interest in being a mentor and expected achievements and outcomes for the mentoring process. 

Additional Eligibility Requirements for Mentors:

      Master’s Level Fellowship or Scholarship Mentors:

• Counseling experience related to serving military, minority, rural populations, career counseling, or underserved minority populations.
• Commit to providing mentorship for a minimum of one year. 

      Doctoral Level Fellowship Mentors:

• Doctoral degree in counseling and a minimum of two years of postdoctoral experience;
• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience with racially and ethnically diverse populations; and
• Counseling experience related to providing mental health or substance abuse services to underserved minority populations.
• Commit to providing mentorship for a minimum of one year. 

For more information about the Foundation scholarship and fellowship programs, visit www.nbccf.org  

The NBCC Foundation is seeking dynamic presenters for our monthly webinar programs on (1) Innovations in Counseling and (2) Building Professional Excellence. These webinars enhance care for communities across the United States and provide ongoing training to NCCs and CCE credential holders, in addition to Foundation Scholars and Fellows. Webinar presentations should focus on expanding the counseling workforce and professional development. These resources become part of our capacity-building plan and are archived in our webinar library available on CCE Academy. 

Webinars are conducted online, and no travel commitment is required from our webinar presenters. The NBCC Foundation handles all the logistics of managing the webinar platform, advertising, and promotion. All webinar presenters must hold a minimum of a master's degree in counseling or a related mental health field and be a board certified counselor.