American Addictions Center (AAC) announced the recipients of its 2016 Behavioral Health Academic Scholarship Program. Among the winners was FSU College of Social Work BSW student Samantha Ferrara (third place). Ferrara and second place winner, Patricia Francois an MSW student at Columbia University, will each receive $2,500. First place winner Rhonda Kelly, a master’s student in clinical mental health counseling at University of Colorado at Denver will receive $5,000.

“The most appealing thing about this scholarship is the group of people it was geared toward,” said Samantha Ferrara. “It was a great ranked scholarship and it made me want to apply knowing I was going up against people who were also going to be in a field related to mine. And it was a generous amount they were awarding.”

The AAC launched its scholarship program in 2015 in response to a growing need for trained mental health and substance abuse experts, and to provide financial assistance to undergraduate and graduate students pursuing careers in the field.

“We consider it a privilege to support these students as they pursue behavior health careers that will help us care for the millions of Americans struggling with substance abuse and mental health issues,” said Michael Cartwright, AAC chairman and chief executive officer.

Ferrara found this scholarship by Googling “scholarships for social work majors.” When applying for scholarships, she advises other social work students to apply as early as possible, “and do not be afraid to tell your story. That’s what makes you stand out from others.”

When Ferrara finishes her BSW, she hopes to earn her Master’s degree to work with the Department of Children and Families in the area of child welfare.

Visit AAC’s Behavioral Health Academic Scholarship Program web page, and visit the College of Social Work’s Financial Assistance page for additional financial aid opportunities.