For DonorsFor Applicants

Autumn Davis Memorial Scholarship

$1,000
2 winners, $500 each
Open
Application Deadline
Mar 1, 2025
Winners Announced
Apr 1, 2025
Education Level
Any
Eligibility Requirements
Education Level:
High school senior, undergraduate, or graduate student
GPA:
3.0 or higher
Field of Study:
Mental health (nursing, social work, psychology, or counseling)

Investing in the next generation of mental health professionals is one of the most impactful ways to improve the world.

Mental illness touches the lives of nearly everyone, whether through personal struggles or through the pain of a loved one. As stigma continues to discourage people from speaking about their concerns and seeking help, it’s crucial to spread awareness of the importance of mental health.

This scholarship seeks to support students who will be pursuing the mental health field in some capacity with their careers.

Any high school senior, undergraduate, or graduate student who has at least a 3.0 GPA and is pursuing nursing, social work, psychology, or counseling may apply for this scholarship.

To apply, tell us how your background in mental health has impacted your beliefs, relationships, and career goals and how you hope to make a difference through your career.

Selection Criteria:
Ambition, Drive, Impact
Published August 9, 2024
Essay Topic

How has your experience with mental health influenced your beliefs, relationships, and career aspirations? Please tell us a bit about yourself and how you plan to make a positive impact on the world through your mental health career.

400–600 words

Winning Application

Marissa Snell
Bemidji State UniversityMarshall, MO
Growing up so never truly knew what I wanted to do. I jumped everywhere from being a teacher, a lawyer to I don’t know we’ll figure it out when it’s time. Then I was always the one my friend went to when they needed guidance or support. When my cousin died in a very tragic way, everyone’s mental health took a turn and I felt helpless. Then I knew I wanted to go into a field that helped those mental health and do what I can to better those who needed the support. After taking a CSI class in high school I was in love with the work we did and what we talked about. I did a lot of digging to find out what I could do to combine both CSI type work and psychology which lead me to finding the role of a victims advocate. Being a victims advocate allows me to be with my client from the very first call to the police station to the very end. I want to work side by side with the police to make sure the individual is getting the proper care that they will need to be in a better situation physically and mentally. At my time at Bemidji State University I have switched from being a psychology major, to majoring in both psychology and social work. I have ended with being a social work major with a minor in psychology and will be graduating a whole year early. I have volunteered at an agency called “Northhomes Children and Family Services”, during my time there I attended drug and DWI court. I attended a foster home visit. Sat in on many one on one meetings with other care givers. While also learned some of there paperwork process. The 60 hours I spent there gave me time to decide where my limits truly are. Knowing that working with children would be to hard for me was something I knew before hand. Though after my foster care visit and listening to more it was set in stone for me. This field has opened my eyes to a lot of different things and I am truly excited to graduate in the spring and finally be out doing what I truly want to do. I plan on starting my career in Minnesota hopefully being offered a job right out of my internship and then move on else where to continue my career. The goal is to eventually get my masters at Moorehead State University in a few years time.

FAQ

When is the scholarship application deadline?

The application deadline is Mar 1, 2025. Winners will be announced on Apr 1, 2025.