John Carroll University Secures $3.2 Million Grant for Health Scholarships

The College of Health at John Carroll University has received a $3.2 million federal grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Awarded through the Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students program, this funding is intended to make graduate education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling more accessible. The initiative, titled CARES (Counseling Access through Recruitment, Education, and Scholarships), focuses on providing need-based tuition assistance to students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Between 2026 and 2031, the grant will support students enrolled in the university’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. This investment arrives at a time when underserved communities face a persistent shortage of behavioral health professionals. By addressing the financial hurdles that often prevent students from pursuing a graduate degree, the CARES initiative can cover up to 100% of tuition for full-time students. The goal is to support talented individuals who are committed to providing mental health services within their own communities.

University faculty and administration will work together to guide eligible students through the application process. Because John Carroll University provides its Clinical Mental Health Counseling program entirely online, students across the United States can complete their degrees without having to move. This flexibility is a core component of the CARES project, making it easier to train counselors who plan to remain and practice in the areas where they already live.

The grant is expected to have a lasting impact on the regional social landscape. By increasing the number of qualified professionals, the initiative addresses urgent behavioral health needs in several states, including high-need regions of Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, and West Virginia. Expanding the healthcare workforce in this way is intended to improve mental health outcomes for populations that are often overlooked.

This federal funding follows a recent $1.05 million award from the Ohio Behavioral Health Scholarship Program, marking a period of growth for the university’s healthcare education efforts. Taken together, these investments represent a significant commitment to the future of the field. The university aims to establish a reliable pipeline of skilled professionals who are dedicated to working in the communities that need their expertise most.