In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month in May, the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) encourages postsecondary students to complete internships in school-based mental health fields in Pennsylvania, obtain their certification, and commence employment at a Pennsylvania Local Education Agency (LEA).
The Pennsylvania Mental Health Education Learning Program in Schools (PA HELPS), which was authorized under Act 55 of 2022 as the School-based Mental Health Internship Grant Program, is administered by PHEAA. PA HELPS provides funding to support school-based mental health professionals who must complete an internship before receiving their credentials.
“Throughout Pennsylvania, we have a critical need for mental health specialists in our schools, aiding our children,” said Senator Wayne Fontana, Chairman of the PHEAA Board of Directors. “PA HELPS was created to encourage students to pursue a career in this field and help to address this need.”
To be eligible for PA HELPS, an intern must be a Pennsylvania resident enrolled in an educational specialist preparation program approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) that leads to an education specialist certification as a school nurse, school psychologist, school counselor, or school social worker. Recipients must be accepted to an internship at a Local Education Agency (LEA) in Pennsylvania and must commit to working at an LEA in Pennsylvania for a minimum of 3 years following completion of their educational specialist degree. The program application deadline for LEAs is December 31, 2026. The 2026-27 LEA application is available at pheaa.org/pahelps.
“We’re pleased to administer such an important program for the Commonwealth,” said James Steeley, PHEAA President and CEO. “The continued funding for PA HELPS shows how much the need continues. The program provides the financial support that these students need to earn their degree in the mental health field as their required internship hours are often unpaid. Since those internships must be at a LEA, we always hope to see more LEAs participating in the program.”
