|
SUPPORTING SERVICES
THROUGHOUT
THE STATE
What is the Rural Rehabilitation Scholars Program?
This is a scholarship
program funded by a long-term federal grant awarded to the Rehabilitation
Counseling Program at the University of South Carolina. Its purpose is to
increase the number of professional rehabilitation counselors who serve
persons with severe disabilities in rural areas of the state.
What do the scholarships provide?
Scholarships pay for all
the students’ tuition, a stipend of up to $400 per month to assist with
living expenses, and a nominal amount to defray the cost of attending
educational conferences. The stipend amount is adjusted for part-time
scholars.
What are the eligibility requirements?
Scholars must have a
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited undergraduate program (any major) and
meet the admission requirements for the master’s degree program in
rehabilitation counseling. The admissions criteria include GRE scores,
undergraduate GPA, relevant experience, and personal attributes. Because
admission is competitive, there are no specific cut-off scores. However,
students usually have a combined GRE score of 1500 (quantitative + verbal
+ analytical) or higher, a GPA of 3.0 or higher, and some relevant
volunteer or work experience. In addition, the scholarship recipients
cannot be in default of payment of any student loans. There is no income
or other financial means test.
Are there any obligations associated with the
scholarships?
Yes. Recipients must
agree to work in a government or other not-for-profit program serving
persons with disabilities who live in rural areas. They must commit to
working with a rural caseload two years for each academic year of support
received. Ordinarily this amounts to a maximum 4-year commitment. If
recipients fail to fulfill the employment obligation, they must pay back
the scholarship monies.
Where are the rural areas?
In South Carolina,
virtually every county has rural areas which meet the requirements. Even
many agency or program offices located in major metropolitan areas serve
persons in the surrounding countryside and small rural communities who
have unique needs. The thrust of this project is to improve services to
the rural population irrespective of where the program operates
from.
What do rehabilitation
counselors do?
Rehabilitation Counselors
are professionals who assist persons with severe disabilities in attaining
their potential in such areas as employment and independent living, and in
general, to assist them in coping with their disability.
Where do rehabilitation
counselors work?
Most work for state
agencies such as the Departments of Vocational Rehabilitation, Mental
Health, Disabilities and Disabilities and Special Needs and the Commission
for the Blind. Others work in addictions programs and other not-for-profit
human service agencies. There are opportunities in the for-profit sector,
but generally, these do not meet the scholarship payback
provisions.
Tell me about the master’s degree in rehabilitation
counseling.
It is a 48 credit
professional degree (M.R.C.) that can be obtained in five consecutive
semesters by full-time students. The curriculum consists of both classroom
course work and field experiences. Content covers counseling theories and
skills, vocational/career counseling, functional assessment, and medical
and psychosocial aspects of disabilities. The last semester consists of a
full-time internship. Scholars will be expected to choose elective courses
relevant to rural populations, to complete an internship working with a
rural caseload, and to attend educational conferences dealing with rural
issues. Some courses are being adapted to an Internet-based distance
education format, which will enable their completion at home or
office.
Are there any other scholarships available?
Yes. The University of
South Carolina Rehabilitation Counseling Program has a similar scholarship
program established to increase the number of professionals trained to
serve persons with psychiatric disabilities.
or you may speak to a faculty member by
calling (803) 434-4296
Top of
Page
|
Vocational Rehabilitation
(RSA scholarship)