Winebrenner Theological Seminary is grateful to announce that we have been awarded $295,968 through the Ohio Behavioral Health Scholarship (OBHS) Program. This investment represents a significant opportunity to support future mental health professionals while addressing Ohio’s growing need for licensed behavioral health providers.
We are thankful for God’s provision and the opportunity to participate in this important initiative. Funded through a partnership among the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health, Health Impact Ohio (HIO), and the Ohio Department of Higher Education, the Ohio Behavioral Health Scholarship Program seeks to strengthen Ohio’s behavioral health workforce and expand access to care, particularly in underserved communities. The award will support eligible students who are residents of Ohio enrolled in Winebrenner’s Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling (MACC) program and help remove financial barriers to graduate education.
Advancing Winebrenner’s Mission
This grant reflects Winebrenner’s mission of equipping leaders for service in God’s Kingdom and supports the Seminary’s vision of helping Christ-focused servants transform the world. As communities across Ohio face increasing mental health challenges, the need for well-trained, compassionate counselors continues to grow. Through this initiative, Winebrenner will help prepare counseling professionals who integrate Christian principles with evidence-based clinical practices and are equipped to serve individuals, families, and communities with excellence.
Three Areas of Impact
The Ohio Behavioral Health Scholarship Program aligns closely with Winebrenner’s 2023–2028 strategic priorities of Stewardship, Discipleship, and Collaboration.
1. Stewardship: Expanding Access Through Financial Support
Eligible students may receive scholarship funding for tuition and books, allowing them to complete their education with little to no tuition costs. By removing financial barriers, Winebrenner can steward resources in ways that increase accessibility and create new pathways into the counseling profession.
2. Discipleship: Preparing Counselors for Meaningful Service
The scholarship strengthens Winebrenner’s commitment to forming students for lives of service. Through rigorous clinical training and faith-informed formation, graduates will be prepared to meet critical behavioral health needs while serving others with compassion, integrity, and professional excellence.
3. Collaboration: Strengthening Communities Across Ohio
The program brings together state agencies, healthcare organizations, educational organizations, and community providers with a shared purpose. Scholarship recipients commit to serving in eligible behavioral health settings after graduation, helping expand access to care in communities where behavioral health services have historically been limited. This collaborative approach reflects Winebrenner’s longstanding belief that lasting impact is achieved through partnership.
A Meaningful Investment in Ohio’s Future
Winebrenner Theological Seminary is privileged to participate in this statewide effort. The investment from Health Impact Ohio and its public-sector partners affirms the important role that counselor education plays in strengthening individuals, families, and communities throughout the state.
We are grateful for this opportunity and look forward to supporting students as they prepare for careers in behavioral health. Through this initiative, Winebrenner will continue equipping leaders for service, expanding access to quality mental health care, and contributing to healthier, more resilient communities across Ohio.
Student Eligibility and Scholarship Support
Through the Ohio Behavioral Health Scholarship Program, eligible students in Winebrenner’s Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling (MACC) program may receive significant financial assistance to support their education. Scholarship recipients must be Ohio residents, U.S. citizens or permanent residents, enrolled at least half-time, and maintain satisfactory academic progress.
In addition to reducing educational costs, the program invests in Ohio’s future behavioral health workforce. Students who receive scholarship funding commit to serving in eligible behavioral health settings located in underserved Ohio communities following graduation. The length of service corresponds to the number of years a student receives scholarship support, and graduates are expected to begin eligible employment within six months of completing their degree.
Scholarship funding may support tuition, fees, textbooks, licensure-related expenses, and other educational costs, helping students pursue counseling careers with significantly reduced financial burden. Through this investment, Winebrenner students will be better positioned to answer the growing call for compassionate, professional mental health care throughout Ohio.
You can click here to learn more about eligibility and next steps.