Clark Family Mental Health and Disability Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Rochester Area Community Foundation

Purpose
This scholarship provides financial assistance to people who are working in—or intend to work in—the fields of developmental disabilities or behavioral health within the eight-county region around Rochester (Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, and Yates). The award is intended to strengthen professional practice and increase the workforce serving developmental disabilities and behavioral health.

Application period
December 1 through February 28

Award amount and number of recipients
The count of scholarships and individual award sizes fluctuate from year to year. The typical award is approximately $7,500. Actual award levels are determined by a student’s cost of attendance, demonstrated financial need, and other financial aid received. Funds are disbursed to the school in the Fall and applied equally to the Fall and Spring semesters once required documentation is provided.

Permitted uses
Scholarship funds may be applied toward graduate-level educational expenses such as tuition, books, fees, and other related costs.

Eligibility
Applicants must meet all of the following:
- Live and work, or plan to work, in fields related to mental health, behavioral health, or developmental disabilities.
- Be employed, volunteering, or interning with a nonprofit organization located in one of the eight counties surrounding Rochester: Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, or Yates.
- Have been accepted to or be currently enrolled in an accredited graduate program and intend to attend either full-time (9–11 credits) or part-time (1–8 credits).
- Be pursuing a clinical or administrative master’s degree that supports mental health, behavioral health, or developmental disabilities (examples include social work, nursing, occupational or physical therapy, HI/VI, psychology, health administration, and similar fields).
- Commit to working in the relevant field for a minimum of two years after completing the degree, and demonstrate financial need.

Additional considerations
- Preference may be given to applicants providing front-line, direct care and/or those attending nonprofit colleges or universities (public or private).
- Students in standard or accelerated master’s programs, as well as those in the graduate portion of combined programs (3+2, 4+1, or similar), are eligible.

How to apply
Begin or continue your application using the online Clark Family Scholarship application portal.

Selection process
The Community Foundation and Coordinated Care Services, Inc. (CCSI) coordinate the award process. A selection committee convened by CCSI—including CCSI representatives, professionals from mental health and developmental disability services, Community Foundation staff, and Clark family members—reviews applications and chooses recipient(s). Applicants may be invited for interviews.

Notification and payment
Recipients will receive an award notification and instructions from the Community Foundation by email in the Spring. Scholarship funds are mailed to the recipient’s school in the Fall; once required documentation is provided, the payment will be allocated equally between the Fall and Spring semesters.

Required documentation and release of funds
To trigger disbursement, upload required materials — including a current class schedule and tuition bill that verify enrollment in a graduate-level program in mental health, behavioral health, or developmental disabilities — to the Clark Family Scholarship application between July 1 and August 15.

Deadlines and forfeiture
Scholarships that are not claimed by February 15 of the assigned year will be forfeited. For questions, email scholarships@racf.org.

Renewability and limits
This is a one-time award per application cycle; however, past recipients may reapply. An individual may receive up to four awards within any consecutive six-year period. To be considered for additional awards, applicants must demonstrate continued enrollment in good academic standing, ongoing financial need, and maintained affiliation with a nonprofit organization in the relevant fields. Recipients are expected to complete their graduate degree within six consecutive years.

Note: Prior recipients who reapply are not guaranteed renewal. Renewal applications are evaluated competitively and separately from new applications.