TROY, Ala. (TROJANVISION) — Troy University has received a grant that will allow the school to give scholarships to graduate students hoping to become school counselors.

“We are thrilled to be able to offer these scholarship opportunities to at least 30 school counseling students,” said Dr. Sherrionda Crawford, Troy University Counseling Department Chair.

According to school officials, the grant will provide funding for students in programs that may have been overlooked.

“The school systems that were selected are rural, which means that they don’t receive as much community mental health services as say someone in Auburn City may have access to,” explained Crawford.

“The school systems that were selected are rural, which means that they don’t receive as much community mental health services as say someone in Auburn City may have access to.”

Sherrionda Crawford, Troy University Counseling Department Chair

The grant comes at a time when, officials say, mental health concerns continue to rise.

“Our young people spend more time in school than they do at home,” Crawford told TrojanVision. “As educators, we see the mental health concerns, we see the impact on attendance, we see the impact on grades. It’s important that they receive these mental health services as early as possible.”

Crawford believes the program will be mutually-beneficial for students and participating schools.

“Our program is set up so that not only do they receive these school based requirements, students will learn about curriculum. They’ll learn about lesson plans. They’ll learn about comprehensive school counseling programs, but they will also learn the mental health side of things.”

Five area schools plan to participate in the program. Schools include Coffee County Schools, Crenshaw County Schools, Geneva County Schools, Montgomery Public Schools, and Macon County Schools.