The Graduate Program in Rehabilitation Counseling received a RSA Scholars Long-term Training Grant from U.S. Department of Education. The goal is to increase the supply of qualified M.A. students by recruiting, educating, graduating, and placing competent and diverse rehabilitation counselor to work in the state Vocational Rehabilitation Agency and related agencies.
Funding Agency: Rehabilitation Services Administration
Years: 10/1/2020 – 9/30/2025
Funded Amount: $779,968
Program Information
The Rehabilitation Counseling program is pleased to be a longstanding awardee of the RSA Training Grants, which provide students with tuition waivers and stipends in order to support their training in graduate rehabilitation counseling programs. The University of Iowa, in partnership with Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services (IVRS) has funding to support nearly 70 students over the 5-year life of the training grants. Each year, cohorts of 7 students will be awarded these scholarships, and will complete a fully accredited, nationally ranked program culminating in a Master’s Degree.
Rehabilitation counseling is the only professional counseling discipline educated and trained at the graduate-level with the specialized knowledge, skills, and attitudes to work collaboratively with people with disabilities in obtaining their life goals. Rehabilitation counselors not only have the knowledge and skills to provide effective counseling services, but also to work with diverse populations in providing direct (e.g., counseling) and indirect (e.g., case review, job development, program evaluations) services. Rehabilitation counselors embrace a holistic approach to human development and are equipped to work in interdisciplinary settings with a primary focus on the assets of the people they serve.
RSA is accepting applications for cohorts of 6 students interested in training in graduate rehabilitation counseling programs.
Student Supports
- 4 semesters of tuition support to complete MA in rehabilitation counseling
- Includes stipend of $4900 per semester
- Students complete internships at qualifying agencies and receive opportunities to complete fieldwork in rural communities supporting people with disabilities in obtaining their education, employment, and independent living goals
Application Requirements
The following criteria are necessary to be considered for RSA:
- undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher
- three letters of recommendation
- a statement of purpose
- A successful interview with program faculty
Students interested in applying should reach out to Allison Levine (allison-levine@uiowa.edu).
Payback information: For every one year of funding, students supported by the RSA scholarship must complete two years of payback in the form of working for qualifying employers, such as vocational rehabilitation agencies, schools, or community mental health settings serving people with disabilities