August 21, 2024

Multiple scholarships are available for Forsyth Tech students interested in working with people struggling with addiction and for bilingual behavioral health workers. The addictions scholarship aims to increase the number of trained professionals who can work as peer support specialists, while the bilingual workforce scholarship is designed to increase the number of trained bilingual behavioral health outreach professionals in the county. 

The deadline to apply for both scholarships is Sept. 18 at 11:45 p.m. Applicants must reside in Forsyth County, due to grant stipulations. Award winners will be notified in early October. 

Criteria to apply for the Addictions Workforce Scholarship: 

* Award winners are expected to enroll in and complete at least one Human Services certificate by May 2025. 

* Applicants must identify as one of the following: racial minority, bilingual in Spanish/English, or over age 50. 

* Must be certified already as a Peer Support Specialist OR eligible for certification. 

* Must be available for all parts of the scholarship program, including: 

  – 6 credits of courses in Fall B 

  – 16 credits of courses in Spring (both A & B) 

  – 20 hours per week internship 

Scholarship awards will include: 

* Tuition, fees, and books (up to $3,400 over Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 semesters) 

* Paid internship stipends of $5,400 (Spring semester). Students will work as peer support community outreach interns in Forsyth County during the Spring 2025 semester. 

* Participation in professional training, networking, and workshops for free or reduced fees. 

Bilingual Workforce Scholarship Criteria: 

* Award winners are expected to enroll in and complete at least one Human Services certificate by May 2025. 

* Applicants must identify as a racial minority AND be bilingual in Spanish/English. 

* Students must be available for all parts of the scholarship program, including: 

  – 6 credits of courses in Fall B 

  – 16 credits of courses in Spring (both A & B) 

  – 20 hours per week internship 

Scholarship awards include: 

* Tuition, fees, and books (up to $3,400 over Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 semesters) 

* Paid internship stipends of $5,400 (Spring semester). Students will work as bilingual community outreach interns in Forsyth County during the Spring 2025 semester. 

* Participation in professional training, networking, and workshops for free or reduced fees. 

Forsyth County awarded the two grants. Grant partners include El Futuro, a community-based nonprofit in Durham; Monarch, a statewide, comprehensive behavioral health provider; and Strong Minds, Strong Communities, a research project of UNC-Greensboro.  

To apply for the Addictions Workforce Scholarship, click here. To apply for the Bilingual Workforce Scholarship, click here. For more information, contact Elizabeth Zook, professor of Human Services Technology, at ezook@forsythtech.edu.