The First Responder Mental Health Services Grant is a state-funded grant program to provide funding to full-time employed or retired first responders who are seeking a degree or certificate to become a mental health therapist.

• Eligible Students:        
  • Utah adult residents
  • Law enforcement officers and other eligible first responders
• Eligibility Requirements:
  • Be a full-time employee or retiree who is an active member or has qualified for an allowance under the requirements of:
    • Title 49, Chapter 14, Public Safety Contributory Retirement Act;
    • Title 49, Chapter 15, Public Safety Noncontributory Retirement Act;
    • Title 49, Chapter 16, Firefighters’ Retirement Act; or
    • Title 49, Chapter 23, New Public Safety and Firefighter Tier II Contributory Retirement Act
  • Enroll in a degree or certificate program to become a mental health therapist at an eligible institution
• Eligible Uses:     
  • Tuition and fees
• Award:  
  • Up to $6,000 per academic year
• Award Duration:    
  • Up to four academic years
• Eligible Institutions:       
  • Public, degree-granting institutions:
    • Salt Lake Community College
    • Snow College
    • Southern Utah University
    • University of Utah
    • Utah State University
    • Utah Tech University
    • Utah Valley University
    • Weber State University
  • Public technical colleges:
    • Bridgerland Technical College
    • Davis Technical College
    • Dixie Technical College
    • Mountainland Technical College
    • Ogden-Weber Technical College
    • Southwest Technical College 
    • Tooele Technical College
• Application Period:     
  • 2024-2025 applicant information (new and renewal):
    • Opens – January 2, 2024
    • Priority Deadline – January 19, 2024
    • Final deadline – March 20, 2024
• Additional Information:  
  • Contact scholarships@ushe.edu