Awards, Grants & Scholarships
All Awards are presented at the PSCA Annual Conference. See below for requirements and how to nominate someone or apply.


Nominate or Submit Today!
ADMINISTRATOR APPRECIATION AWARD
Nominations accepted through September 4, 2023
Acknowledges administrators (superintendents, assistant superintendents, principals, assistant principals) who demonstrate an understanding and support of, commitment to and belief in the role of school counselors and comprehensive, developmental school counseling programs. The selection and presentation of this award is under the direction of the Professional Recognition Committee and all decisions regarding this award rests with that group. The awards are presented at the annual PSCA conference.
PSCA SCHOOL COUNSELOR OF THE YEAR (SCOY) AWARDS
Nominations accepted through September 4, 2023
Honor school counselors who have made significant contributions to their students and/or school districts through the development and implementation of comprehensive school counseling programs based on the ASCA National Model. PSCA seeks nominations of individual counselors representing all three levels: Elementary, Middle/Junior High and High School. Nominees must be state certified and a practicing professional who is working full-time within Pennsylvania and must be a member of PSCA.
Nominees must have been a practicing school counselor for at least three years and highlights of the nomination must have occurred within the last five years. The SCOY awards program is under the direction of the Professional Recognition Committee. This committee will review nominations and may conduct interviews with finalists to select the PA School Counselor of the Year. Decisions regarding this award rests with that group. The awards are presented at the annual PSCA conference. If the recipient is an ASCA member, they may be further nominated for a similar award at the national level.
For additional information, please contact the PSCA Professional Recognitions Chair:
Lindsay Smith at lindsay.smith@kiskiarea.com
COUNSELOR EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD
Nominations accepted through September 4, 2023
Recognized individuals who have dedicated themselves to instructing, training and mentoring students preparing to become school counselors. The award recognizes their efforts and rewards them for the commitments they have demonstrated for preparing students to help others in the profession of school counseling. The selection and presentation of this award is under the direction of the Professional Recognition Committee and all decisions regarding this award rests with that group.
LEGISLATOR OF THE YEAR
Nominations accepted through September 4, 2023
Recognizes Pennsylvania officials of state and national government who demonstrate belief in and support of school counselor and guidance activities within our schools by initiating or working to pass legislation which impacts positive programming. The selection and presentation of this award is under the direction of the Professional Recognition Committee and all decisions regarding this award rests with that group.
ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR
Nominations accepted through September 4, 2023
Recognizes outstanding efforts of non-school counseling individuals and/or organizations which have demonstrated exceptional support of and belief in school counseling services and programs. The purpose of the award is to recognize individuals or organizations whose advocacy for school counseling has positively impacted school counselors and their programs on a local, state or national level. The selection and presentation of this award is under the direction of the Professional Recognition Committee and all decisions regarding this award rests with that group.
BILL LEE LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE GRANT
Nominations accepted through September 4, 2023
The Bill Lee Leadership Grant offers first time conference attendees the opportunity to attend the conference at no registration cost. Each year PSCA awards up to five regional grants to counselors for the purpose of attending the conference. The grant covers the conference saver package only. Only one grant will be awarded to each region. The selection and presentation of this award is under the direction of the Professional Recognition Committee and all decisions regarding this award rests with that group.
PSCA GRADUATE STUDENT CONFERENCE SCHOLARSHIP
Nominations accepted through September 4, 2023
The PSCA graduate student scholarship provides financial assistance to graduate students in an approved School Counselor Education program at a college/university in Pennsylvania. The scholarship is open to PA residents who plan to enter or are already enrolled in a graduate program which leads to a certification in school counseling. Up to $2,000 in scholarship aid may be awarded to one or more candidates. The grants are given annually. The selection and presentation of this award is under the direction of the Professional Recognition Committee and all decisions regarding this award rests with that group.
2021-2022 Award/Grant Winners
Pennsylvania School Counselor of the Year
Mr. Matthew Shervington
