In 1991, MHRL established two scholarships at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois. The scholarship is awarded to a student from McHenry County enrolled in graduate study at NIU, majoring in a mental health field.

The scholarship award process is administered by the Dean of the Graduate School. The Dean seeks nominations and applications from qualified McHenry County graduate students from the following diverse disciplines:

1.
School of Allied Health professions
2.
Department of Counseling, Adult, and Health Education
3.
School of Nursing
4.
School of Family, Consumer and Nutrition Sciences
5.
Division of Public Administration
6.
Department of Psychology


The Department Chairs submit nominees via supporting letters. From the pool, the Dean chooses the candidate that best represents the spirit and criteria of the award.

Award Criteria:

*
The scholarship is awarded to a McHenry County student enrolled in graduate study at NIU.
*
The student must be majoring in a mental heath related field.
*
It is preferred (but not required) that the recipient return to McHenry County when his/her studies are complete.
*
Academic merit and financial need are major considerations.