FAQs

Who is eligible to apply to the MHSP? Applicants must:

Be employed full-time for at least two years after earning their baccalaureate degree within an agency/program funded by The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s Bureau of Mental Health or the Bureau of Children, Youth and Families.
Work in mental health and have direct client facing contact or a caseload if they intend to apply to the clinical method at Silberman. Those applying for the OML method MUST have administrative/supervisory responsibilities within a social service setting.
Obtain permission from their agency to apply to the MHSP. Acceptance into the scholarship program is contingent on agencies committing to providing an educationally sound field placement during a scholar’s field year, a certified field instructor and time off during work hours for the scholar to attend classes during their field year. Applicants must engage their agency leadership in a discussion of their intent to apply prior to submitting a letter of intent.
Commit to remain working at their current current agency for the duration of the program plus 2 years post-graduation in exchange for the scholarship. If this is not adhered to, it is likely that the scholar will need to repay all or a portion of the scholarship.
Be a legal resident of New York State.

What is the first thing I should do if I wish to apply to the MHSP?

Discuss your desire to pursue the MHSP with your agency supervisor and leadership. You must obtain agency permission and support first. Once secured, complete the DOHMH Letter of Intent found on the Silberman School of Social Work website and email it to Marlene Mendelson. You will be notified by Ms. Mendelson if your Letter of Intent is accepted and you are cleared to submit an application to Silberman.

See the 2024 NYC-DOHMH instructions for submitting a letter of interest below. The deadline for submitting your LOI is January 12, 2024.

2024 Letter of Intent

What do I do if my Letter of Intent is approved?

If your Letter of Intent is approved, you will then need to submit an application to the Silberman School of Social Work.

Applicant must meet the Silberman School of Social Work’s admission standards https://sssw.hunter.cuny.edu/admissions/requirements/ and requirements for the OYR program. Note – an approved Letter of Intent does not guarantee acceptance.

You may then complete and submit the online application for the OYR Program, and select the “Mental Health Scholarship Program” as the program of study.

Indicate “pay by check” when you submit the application. Upon approval by DOHMH, the application fee will be waived.

What is the One-Year-Residency (OYR) Program at Silberman?

The OYR Program is a pathway to the MSW degree. It is a work-study program that allows an agency employee to attend school and pursue the MSW degree while working full-time at their agency https://sssw.hunter.cuny.edu/admissions/requirements/ . Agency permission and support is required for the duration of your studies.

How do I determine which Method to select when applying?

The method you select is determined by the scope of the work you do at your agency. For example, if you are a case manager and work directly with clients you must choose the Clinical Method. If you work as an administrator, you would apply in the Organizational, Management and Leadership (OML) Method. The same applies for applicants interested in the Community Organizing method. If you have a question regarding Method, please contact one of the MHSP professional development counselors for assistance.

How will I know if I have been offered a group interview spot for the Mental Health Scholarship Program?

Once your approved Letter of Intent and complete application to SIlberman are received by the deadlines, your full application will then be reviewed by the MHSP team and Silberman admissions department. You will receive a digital email notification of your application status via the Apply Yourself platform by the end of May. Note – receiving a “pending interview” notice from Apply Yourself indicates your application is currently under review and does not mean that you have been selected for a group interview. If you are selected for a group interview, you will receive an email from the MHSP Program Coordinator, Malaika Small, with a Zoom invitation.

What happens after the group interview?

Applicants who are interviewed will be notified whether or not they were selected for the incoming cohort of MHSP scholars by email within two weeks. Selected scholars will then receive direct communication from the MHSP team on next steps.

What is a Professional Development Counselor (PDC)?

Once accepted to the MHSP, your cohort is assigned to a Professional Development Counselor or PDC for the duration of your studies. Your PDC provides academic and field advisement to you for the duration of your time at Silberman.

How many years will I be in school if I am accepted to Silberman and the MHSP?

If accepted as a MHSP scholar, you will be enrolled in Silberman’s One-Year-Residency program which takes approximately two years to complete. If you have a valid reason, and need more time to complete your studies, you may request approval to extend for one additional semester.

Can I apply for the scholarship if I am already enrolled as a matriculated student at Silberman or in an MSW program at another university?

No. If you are already enrolled at Silberman or another school’s MSW program, you are not eligible to apply.

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The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Mental Health Scholarship Program at Hunter College's Silberman School of Social Work