Who Can Apply:
- The Kids’ Minds Matter: Southwest Florida Continued Education Scholarship supports students at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) who are pursuing careers dedicated to improving the mental and behavioral health of children in the Southwest Florida region.
- This scholarship is open exclusively to FGCU students enrolled in LMHC (Licensed Mental Health Counselor) or LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) programs. Applicants must demonstrate a strong interest in working or interning with Lee Health and show a deep commitment to giving back to the Southwest Florida community—either through personal connection, lived experience, or long-term career goals.
- Kids’ Minds Matter is an advocacy initiative of Golisano Children’s Hospital, managed by Lee Health Foundation, focused on expanding awareness, support, and access to quality care for children facing mental health challenges. As youth mental health needs continue to rise, this scholarship helps ensure that the next generation of mental health professionals are prepared and motivated to meet these challenges with compassion and expertise.
Submission: Applicants must submit basic background information and respond to the two-part essay below (maximum 500 words per response):
1. Tell us about your path to pursuing further education at FGCU. What inspired this next step? Please include your undergraduate program and degree(s) earned, any academic awards or honors received in high school or college, and any prior experience related to the field of mental health.
2. What drives your interest in pediatric mental health, and how do you hope to make an impact in Southwest Florida? Please share your goals for contributing to this field—especially through potential work or internship opportunities at Lee Health.
Deadline: July 16, 2025
Amount: $20,000
Learn More: https://bold.org/scholarships/KMM/