First Responder Mental Health Services Grant
The First Responder Mental Health Services Grant is a state-funded grant program that provides funding to first responders, first responder agency support staff, first responder volunteers, or retired first responders in Utah who are seeking a degree or certificate to become a mental health therapist.
Eligible Students
First responders, direct support staff at a first responder agency, first responder volunteers and retired first responders in Utah as defined in Board Policy R627
Eligibility Requirements
- Be a first responder, direct support staff at a first responder agency, first responder volunteer, or a retiree who worked as a first responder in Utah
- Enroll in a degree or certificate program that will qualify the applicant upon completion to become a mental health therapist at an eligible institution
- Prerequisite degrees do not qualify for funding
Eligible Uses
Tuition and fees
Award
Up to $6,000 per academic year, after all other financial aid
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
- Private, non-profit institutions:
- Brigham Young University
- Ensign College
- Westminster University
- Western Governors University
Application Period
- First application period for the 2026-27 academic year
- Opens: May 4, 2026
- Deadline: June 12, 2026
- A second application period of at least 30 days will be available ahead of the spring 2027 semester. Check back on this website for the dates and application link in the fall.
Additional Information
Contact scholarships@ushe.edu