Grants & Scholarships

Grants & Scholarships is a program from the Mental State Foundation that funds individuals pursuing careers in the mental health field or prioritizing mental wellness through the arts. The foundation offers scholarships for those attending or planning to attend schools or programs in California focused on mental health work, covering undergraduate, vocational, associate, and graduate studies.

Creative grants are available for artists focusing on mental wellness themes. A mental health diagnosis is not required. Award amounts range from $500 to $1,000 per recipient.

Scholarships for Future Mental Health Professionals Creative Grants for Creatives Focusing on Mental Wellness Frequently Asked Questions To qualify, you must be attending or planning to attend a school or program in California by the end of the year with the goal of working in the mental health field.

We fund a variety of educational paths, including undergraduate programs, vocational/associate degrees, and graduate studies A mental health diagnosis is not required. We are looking for someone who is prioritizing their mental wellness. You might be actively in treatment for mental illness or navigating life stressors in some way.

This is not a substitute for mental healthcare. We fund classes/materials in the arts (art, music, writing, dance, etc.) to learn, explore, build confidence, and enjoy! Frequently Asked Questions Please reach us at vannia@mentalstatefoundation.

org if you have any questions. Can I apply for both the Scholarship & Grant? Yes!

You will have to submit a separate application for each. You will also need to meet eligibility for each opportunity. Can I apply if I applied last year?

Yes! If you did not win previously, we encourage you to apply again! Do you need to know my GPA?

No. We just care that you are taking care of yourself (for the Arts Grant) or moving forward in your education and planning to work in the mental health field (for the Scholarship). Is there an age limit? Scholarship: We do not have a specific age cut-off.

Anyone the equivalent of a high school senior and above can apply. Please note, if you are under 18, you will need to also provide your Parent or Guardian's information and they will also be contacted if you are selected. Creative Grant: 12 or older.

This way the applicant can express their interest in taking the classes as well as understanding that completing this application does not guarantee you will be chosen. Please note, if you are under 18, you will need to also provide your Parent or Guardian's information and they will also be contacted if you are selected. Do I need to be diagnosed with a mental illness?

No. You may choose to share if it is part of your story for why you want to work in the mental health field (for the scholarships). Or, it could be why you are prioritizing your mental health (for the grants). Otherwise, you could apply for the arts grant as you navigate life events/stressors that are affecting you.

You could apply for the scholarship due to your passion for mental health. Can I apply if I don’t live in California? The Grants and Scholarships are specific to California.

Therefore, you should be attending or planning to attend a school/program in California by the end of 2026 with the future goal of working in the mental health field. For example, you could apply for the scholarship if you live in another state, but will be attending a California school. When will I hear back?

If you are being considered for the Mental State Foundation Scholarship, you will be contacted in July 2026, so be sure to check your spam for email and voicemails. How do I receive the funds? Scholarship: We send the money directly to your school.

We will be in communication with you for needed information to make sure the funds are allocated correctly and may need your assistance to follow up with the school and confirm receipt. Grant: Choose your classes/workshops and materials and send us the relevant links. We will approve the businesses/teachers and send the funds directly to them.

If there are materials needed for the class, you send us a link for the needed materials and we will purchase them and put your address as the shipping address. (keep in mind taxes/shipping costs) By when do I need to use the funds? The funds need to be dispersed by the end of the year so you should already have an idea of where you want the money to go when you apply.

Yetzanit Amador-Rodriguez Ya Yang was a Peer Educator with VOICES who has facilitated more than 20 workshops focusing on the prevention of sexual assault and supporting survivors who identify as LGBTQIA+.

Ya Yang plans to continue to advocate for those who feel unseen and are marginalized (i.e. refugees, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and people with disabilities) by rese Ya Yang was a Peer Educator with VOICES who has facilitated more than 20 workshops focusing on the prevention of sexual assault and supporting survivors who identify as LGBTQIA+.

Ya Yang plans to continue to advocate for those who feel unseen and are marginalized (i.e. refugees, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and people with disabilities) by researching and shaping culturally responsive interventions on a micro and macro level.

Yetzanit Amador-Rodriguez Jasmine Castillo is a chemical dependency counselor and prevention educator who focuses on serving Indigenous communities with culturally competent lenses and trauma-informed care.

Due to Jasmine's personal and professional passion, Jasmine is driven to dismantle the stigma around mental health and to increase the access to care - especi Jasmine Castillo is a chemical dependency counselor and prevention educator who focuses on serving Indigenous communities with culturally competent lenses and trauma-informed care.

Due to Jasmine's personal and professional passion, Jasmine is driven to dismantle the stigma around mental health and to increase the access to care - especially in underserved and marginalized populations such as the Indigenous communities. Yetzanit Amador-Rodriguez Yetzanit Amador-Rodriguez Yetzanit Amador-Rodriguez Yetzanit's passion is to use art as a creative expression to allow herself to experience joy, freedom, and relief.

Yetzanit has been able to blend two parts of her world into one as she majors in Liberal Studios and Studio Arts with the hopes of being able to open a small business offering fun and affordable art education to her community. Yetzanit Amador-Rodriguez Yetzanit Amador-Rodriguez Kayla is engaging in exploration of a variety of craft-making and traditional Native American art.

She plans to use this grant for materials and tools to deepen her practice and build a routine of creativity and self-care into her day-to-day life. Kayla is also a social worker who works in the mental health field who leads by example by advocating for her needs and maintaining her well-being.

Michelle is a first-generation college graduate who has served her community by providing mentorship, support for those in recovery, and community outreach through her professional and volunteer work at nonprofit organizations and her local church. She will be attending Azusa Pacific University for her Master in Social Work.

Gabriela is an LMFT who has given back to her community through the Compton Initiative, Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times, and co-founding and funding scholarship opportunities for other first-generation college students. Gabriela will be attending Pepperdine University for her PsyD. Gaby enjoys art, music, and storytelling.

She founded her own marketing agency in 2018 called Haus of Duke. You can follow her at @hausofduke on instagram. She will be using this grant to start a podcast called "Historias que nos Contamos" to empower women in Central America.

Rebecca connects with nature, spends time outdoors with her dog, and is an advocate for mental health. She will use this grant to connect creatively and authentically with herself. She plans to gain skills that she can use to help others in the future.

Scarlett is pursuing a Bachelor Degree in Psychology from Cal State Los Angeles. Scarlett plans to work with those experiencing homelessness and substance use disorders. Scarlett is planning on getting her Master in Clinical Psychology with a focus on substance use in teh future.

Jaqueline is completing an Associate Degree for Transfer at Los Angeles Trade Tech Community College and majoring in Behavioral & Social Science. Jacqueline plans to be a behavioral therapist with a focus on youth in the foster care system and those experiencing homelessness. Celeste de Luna will be taking painting and ceramics courses.

Check out her Instagram: @celestialcreations_ Check out her Community Offerings and publications: www. celuna. org Love will be attending ceramic classes and art workshops.

Check out her work! Creative portfolio: www. mutablemade.

square. site Art Mutual Aid Project @artmartatatl