SASP and Div. 16 support students from under-represented cultural backgrounds as they endeavor to become a part of the inspiring profession of School Psychology. SASP and Div. 16 are aware of the financial pressures that graduate students experience and thus, through generous support from Div. 16, the Diversity Scholarship Program was created to provide monetary support to aid students from diverse cultural backgrounds entering the field. While we understand and acknowledge that diversity encompasses many factors such as disability status, age, gender, gender identity, location, religion, sexual orientation, and social economic status; SASP’s mission is to recruit and retain racially and ethnically minoritized students. Students who discuss their background and how their race/ethnicity has impacted their studies and professional goals will thus be prioritized for the awards. SASP offers the following three awards each year for student support: two incoming student awards in the amount of $500 and an advanced student award in the amount of $1,000. Applicants must be members of Division 16 in order to be eligible for the award; for more information on membership, click here. Recipients of the awards will be recognized for their award at the APA Convention.

For the purposes of this scholarship, diversity is defined as: any student who is minoritized in their community, including: race/ethnicity, national origin, and language.

Diversity can include: age, culture, disability, ethnicity, family structure, gender, gender identity, language, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status.

Incoming Student Diversity Scholarships

Two (2) annual awards of $500 are given to master’s/specialist or doctoral students who will be entering their first or second year of graduate training to help defer some of the costs acquired through graduate study. This is a one-time award; individuals granted the award may not reapply in subsequent years. For students who will be starting their first year in the fall, proof of an offer of admittance and acceptance into a school psychology program will be required.

Advanced Student Diversity Scholarship

One (1) annual award of $1,000 is given to an advanced masters/specialist or doctoral student who will be entering their third, fourth, or fifth year of graduate training to help defer some of the costs acquired through graduate study or in preparation for internship. This is a one-time award; individuals granted the award may not reapply in subsequent years. Please note that the individual who wins this award is required to present a poster highlighting their research at the Annual SASP Student Research Forum (SRF) at the APA Convention. This travel funding is NOT part of the scholarship.

To apply for either award, complete the application form. Please email your files to Marisa Solé. The following materials must be included with your application:

• Completed online application
• Current resume/curriculum vitae
• Organize and cater CV for activities related to and promoting diversity. Highlight any campus/community activities with which you are involved, as well as any honors, awards, and scholarships you have received.
• A purpose statement of professional goals (maximum 1,000 words)
• Discuss background, personal/professional goals, and how they relate to  your work as a future School Psychologist
• Two (2) letters of recommendation (LOR) typed on official letterhead.
• Ensure letter writers know you well and can highlight your capacity to promote diversity. Letters should go beyond a generic template.
• LORs should explain how the applicant has, would bring, or would enhance diversity within their school psychology program and the field
• Incoming student applicants: Both LOR for first year students can be from undergraduate faculty; however, second year students should include at least one LOR from a current graduate faculty member

• The application package must be emailed to the Diversity Affairs Chair Marisa Solé. Late applications will not be accepted.
• Save all documents (including signed recommendation letters, if possible) as ONE (1)  PDF file with a file name formatted as: lastname_typeofaward_application2020. The only exception is for LORs that can be sent directly to Marisa Solé. It is your responsibility to make sure Marisa has received both letters to complete your application.

If you have any questions, please feel free to email Marisa Solé.