Are there programs to help psychology/education students pay for graduate school?

I plan to become a guidance counselor, but I intend to do a graduate psychology program (either counseling or educational psychology). Are there any programs that will help pay for my schooling like there are for students in the nursing and finance fields? Or are there any jobs I can get straight out of college that will give incentives or help pay for my graduate-level work? I know of volunteer programs and others like Teach for America that offer loan forgiveness and will cover a certain amount of your loan costs, but are there ones specifically for people in the education field? All help will be greatly appreciated.

When you apply to your choice of Graduate Schools, inquire as to whether or not the institution offers Graduate Assistantships. Many schools offer these programs which (in most cases) partially or completely cover the cost of education at the institution in exchange for you working (usually about 20 hours each week) at the institution. For example, if you apply to University A, you might work for a department at University A part time. in exchange University A would pay you a stipend and free tuition. (Other perks are also offered sometimes or can be negotiated such as free housing on campus or a meal plan.) If you were an RA in undergrad you may work for the Residence Life office. If you were an athlete perhaps you would work for Athletics. Involved in Greek Life? Perhaps you would work in the Greek Affairs office. Many options are available.

In some cases, Assistantships work a little differently. You may be getting an education at University A, but University A has an agreement with University B that allows you to work for them. You would go to school at University A, work at University B, and B would pay A all or part of your tuition.

Tip: If you are getting your degree in Education or Psychology, you would have a good chance at being a Graduate Assistant either serving as a Teaching Assistant (mostly only at larger or state schools). You would also have experience that would suit you for an Assistantship in a Student Services Department (Counseling Office, Residence Life, Student Life, etc.)

Good luck.

If you work for a school district now they may have tuition reimbursement. If not contact the financial aid department of the school to plan to attend.

if you want to get a phd in psychology, many if not all programs give at least some students tuition cuts if they will also work as TAs or research assistants during their graduate school training

This really depends upon which region you are in...did you check with the possibilities at your state financial aid office?

An example of one web site for a state financial aid office is:

www.ihl.state.ms.us

Sometimes there are loan forgiveness programs for students who are willing to relocate to different regions with their professions.