Austin Public School
Infuse Mental Health Project
The Infuse Mental Health grant is currently secured through December 31, 2025, and we have an appeal pending to reinstate the full five-year award period through December 31, 2027.
The Infuse Mental Health Project addresses a critical shortage of school-based mental health service providers in our region. This project reduces the cost for MSUM students entering the School Counseling or School Psychology graduate programs to engage local, rural, and tribal schools struggling to fill mental health professional vacancies.
Who can apply for the Infuse Mental Health Project Grant?
Students who have been accepted to MSUM's Master's program in School Counseling can apply to the Infuse Mental Health Project grant. All undergraduate degrees are welcome into the program. The graduate program investment is approximately $33,000, with the grant supporting up to 73% of the program cost.
Students who have been accepted to MSUM's School Psychology program can apply to the Infuse Mental Health Project grant. All undergraduate degrees are welcome into the program. The graduate program investment is approximately $39,000, with the grant supporting up to 63% of the program cost.
Careers & Outcomes
North Dakota and Minnesota are experiencing a youth mental health crisis, with school-based provider shortages rampant. Employment of school counselors is projected to grow 10 percent from 2021 to 2031, faster than the average for all occupations. The need for school psychologists will continue to grow because of an increased awareness of the connection between mental health and learning. These workers also will be needed to help students whose educational, behavioral, or developmental issues impact their ability to learn.
School Counseling Career Outcomes School Psychology Career Outcomes
A Smart Investment
The Infuse Mental Health Project reduces the cost for MSUM students entering the school psychology and school counseling graduate programs. Through this grant, students can apply for scholarships of at least $12,000/year and up to $24,000 per student. During training, grant-supported students commit to 8 hours of paid weekly mental health services in partner high-needs schools. Additionally, school districts can leverage this grant to support grow-your-own candidates who want to work and stay in the community.
Infuse Mental Health Project Grant Application
The Infuse grant is currently secured through December 31, 2025, and we have an appeal pending to reinstate the full five-year award period through December 31, 2027.
Students applying to the Infuse Mental Health Project Grant need to be accepted in either the school psychology or school counseling full masters’ programs.
- Students need to be enrolled in at least 6 credits in the semester they apply.
- Upon admission to the program, students will be provided with information on requirements, directions to apply, and application deadlines for the grant.
- Students are not guaranteed to be accepted on the grant and must reapply every semester they wish to receive grant funds.
- Students will be notified whether they are accepted or not prior to the next semester start date.
- The grant is only available for Fall and Spring semester.
- Students receiving the grant must sign a service agreement form and agree to all requirements of the grant.
ABOUT THE INFUSE MENTAL HEALTH PROJECT
The Infuse Mental Health grant is currently secured through December 31, 2025, and we have an appeal pending to reinstate the full five-year award period through December 31, 2027.
A five-year, $6,777,039 grant awarded in 2022 by the U.S. Department of Education to MSU Moorhead aims to fill mental health professional vacancies and to increase the diversity, recruitment, training and placement of graduate students serving rural and tribal schools. The collaborative effort of the School Counseling and School Psychology graduate programs highlights our faculty members’ commitment to working with community partners to diversify and expand the number of students trained to meet mental health needs in communities struggling to fill positions.
School counselors and school psychologists work side by side in school districts to address student mental health needs. By collaborating to address this professional shortage we aim to involve local school partners to create a culturally responsive solution.
Project partners include 18 Minnesota and North Dakota school districts, Turtle Mountain Tribal Community College, and 16 collaborating cooperatives, professional organizations, and state agencies.
To see if your district or school are eligible to participate, please contact us.
School Districts
Minnesota Schools
Belle Plaine Public School District
Bemidji Independent School District
Brainerd-Forest View Schools
Circle of Life Academy
Crookston Public School
Detroit Lakes Public Schools
Fairmont Public Schools
Frazee-Vergas Public Schools
Fergus Falls Public Schools
Granada Huntley East Chain School
Herman Norcross School District
Lake Agassiz Public Schools
Minnewaska Public School Districts
Moorhead Public Schools
Nevis Public Schools
Onamia Public School District
Park Rapids Public Schools
Pequot Lakes Public School District
Pine Point Public Schools
Red Lake School District
Rush City Schools
Russell Tyler Ruthton School District
Ulen-Hitterdal Schools
Up North Learning Center
Walker-Hackensack-Akeley School District
North Dakota Schools
Fargo Public Schools
Grand Forks School District
Harvey Public Schools
Maple Valley School District
McKenzie County Public School District
West Fargo Public Schools
Collaborators
Professional Organizations
Minnesota School Psychology Association
National Association of School Psychologists
North Dakota School Counseling Association
North Dakota Association of School Psychologists
Tribal Colleges
Turtle Mountain Community College
State Agencies
ND Department of Public Instruction
Minnesota Department of Education
Cooperatives
Lake Agassiz (MN) Special Education Coop
PAWN (MN) Special Education Coop
Sheyenne Valley (ND) Special Education Unit
Rural Cass County (ND) Special Education Unit
South Valley (ND) Special Education Coop
Southern Plains (MN) Coop
Fergus Falls Area Special Education (MN) Coop
Lakes Country Service Coop*
Contact Us
Taryn Akgul,
EdD, MEd, BA
Assistant Professor
Department of Leadership & Learning
Jessica Brown,
PhD, MEd, BS
Assistant Professor of Counseling
Department of Leadership & Learning
Ashleigh Vogel,
CAPM
(She/Her/Hers)
Infuse Grant Project Manager
Psychology Department | Grants & Sponsored Programs Office