Social Workers & Counselors are Essential
Investing in the Helpers Who Will Shape Our Communities
Since 2026, the Helping Professions Education Fund has proudly supported emerging social workers and counselors as they work toward degrees that will let them serve the people who need them most. We believe that removing financial barriers for dedicated students is one of the most meaningful ways to strengthen the mental health and social services workforce across Colorado and Wyoming — especially in the rural communities that often need it most.
If you're working toward a career in social work or counseling, we'd love to help you get there.
Who Can Apply
To qualify, you must:
Be enrolled in an accredited Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctorate program in Social Work or Counseling, located in Colorado or Wyoming
Be in your second quarter/semester or beyond at the time of application
Have earned at least a 2.8 GPA (on a 4.0 scale)
Be able to demonstrate financial need
A note on rural service: We give preference to applicants who are interested in serving rural communities. In Colorado, this means a county currently classified as rural or frontier by the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA). In Wyoming, it means any county other than Laramie or Natrona, per the Wyoming Economic Analysis Division's urban/rural classification.
What You'll Receive
Selected recipients are awarded $1,000, sent directly to your university's financial aid department to support your education. As a recipient, you'll be asked to submit a brief post-award report by the end of the calendar year, sharing how the scholarship supported your journey.
How to Apply
We know applying for scholarships takes time and heart — thank you for considering us as part of your journey. Here's what we ask for:
Completed application form — download it here.
Verification of enrollment — obtained from your university's registrar's office, printed within seven days of submitting your application.
An unofficial transcript.
An 8–12 minute video application telling us about:
Your story — what life experiences led you to this field
Your professional experience — work, volunteer, and internship roles
Your financial need — and how this scholarship would help you complete your program
Your aspirations — professionally and personally, after graduation
Can't submit a video due to a disability, lack of recording equipment, or unreliable internet access? You're welcome to submit a 300–500 word written essay covering the same four topics instead — just note this on your application form.
Two signed and dated letters of recommendation, emailed directly to us by your references at applications@helpingprofessionsef.org. Letters from professors or employers are especially welcome.
A current resume, including your work, volunteer, and internship experience.
Please note: all materials, except letters of recommendation, should be submitted together as a single package.
Deadline
All application materials are due by July 30. Recipients will be notified by email, and funds will be sent to your school by August 15.
Only complete, on-time applications will be considered — so give yourself plenty of time to gather your materials, especially your enrollment verification and recommendation letters.
Our Commitment
The Helping Professions Education Fund does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, or veteran status in the administration of our scholarship programs, including the selection of recipients.
Ready to take the next step? Download the application and start gathering your materials. If you have any questions along the way, we're always happy to talk it through. You may reach us by email at applications@helpingprofessionsef.org or via the Contact Us form.