(KNSI) – The Minnesota Department of Education is tackling what it calls a critical shortage of school counselors across the state by giving St. Cloud State University a $370,000 grant to help solve the problem.
Over the next two years, the Pipeline Grant will provide up to $400 per credit in tuition assistance for current and prospective students in SCSU’s school counseling graduate program. The funds will help with up to 27 credits per student. The university stated the money also prioritizes recruiting students from minority populations. “Minnesota has had a gap in underrepresented counselors of color for many years; the state has recognized that, and this grant is one way to address that gap,” said Dr. Bill Lepkowski, director of SCSU’s school counseling graduate program. “In addition, we generally don’t have enough school counselors, and there’s an increasing awareness of mental health for kids to be successful.”
According to the Minnesota Department of Education, while the American School Counselor Association recommends a ratio of 250 students per counselor, Minnesota’s current ratio stands at 541 students per counselor. That’s worse than the national average of 376-to-one.
Dr. Tina Sacin, a professor and director of clinical mental health at SCSU, said this shortage has forced many districts to outsource mental health services or form external partnerships. She explained, “Having that resource in the school is what actually makes the difference.”
According to Lepkowski and Sacin, today’s school counselors serve a different role than in years past. While many people remember school counselors for academic support and career advising, they spend more time today focusing on mental health.
Students interested in learning more about tuition assistance for the school counseling graduate program in 2026-27 can fill out an online form by clicking here.
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