Baer Reintegration Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Center for Reintegration

INTRODUCTION
For many years, the prospect of people living with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder rebuilding their lives and rejoining their communities was widely considered unrealistic. Advances in pharmacological treatments, however, have created new opportunities for recovery. Medication is a vital first step, but community-based supports and access to education and training are crucial to help individuals move from isolation and instability toward meaningful achievement.

The Baer Reintegration Scholarship exists to support that transition. It assists people diagnosed with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or bipolar disorder to obtain the educational and vocational training needed to reenter the workforce, regain independence, and participate fully in community life. The scholarship is underwritten by the Sidney R. Baer, Jr. Foundation, which funds education, research, and direct care initiatives in mental health. Mr. Baer, a businessman and consultant who experienced mental health challenges himself, established the foundation to lessen the burden of mental illness on others.

ELIGIBILITY
Before submitting an online application, applicants must complete a short eligibility quiz. To be eligible for consideration, applicants must meet all of the following:

- Have a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or schizoaffective disorder.
- Be currently receiving treatment for the condition (including medication and psychiatric follow-up), or provide documentation of past treatment recorded on the prescribing authority’s Recommendation Form.
- Be actively engaged in rehabilitation or reintegration activities such as clubhouse participation, part- or full-time employment, volunteer work, or enrollment in school.
- Be a U.S. citizen or legal resident and intend to attend a U.S.-based educational institution.
- Be at least 18 years old by the start of the 2025–2026 academic year.

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS COVERED
The Baer Reintegration Scholarship funds study toward certificates and degrees at accredited institutions. Eligible programs include:

- High school equivalency (GED) programs
- Trade or vocational schools and certification programs
- Associate degree programs
- Bachelor’s degree programs
- Graduate degree programs
- Post-baccalaureate credit coursework

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, applicants attending classes online, in-person, or through a hybrid model are all eligible.

SELECTION CRITERIA
Applications are evaluated on the following points:

- Academic achievement
- Three recommendations, one of which must be from the prescribing authority (recommendations from family members are not accepted)
- Quality of the essay
- Clarity and appropriateness of academic and career goals
- Involvement in rehabilitation or reintegration activities
- Evidenced success managing the illness
- Recent volunteer or vocational experience
- Completion of all application requirements, including a signed Personal Consent & Release Form

AWARD TERMS AND PAYMENT
The scholarship awards for the 2026–2027 academic year apply only to the fall 2026 through spring 2027 semesters. Recipients who wish to continue their studies must reapply annually (see Renewal Guidelines). Award amounts are determined individually. Scholarship funds are sent directly to the recipient’s school to offset tuition, books, laboratory supplies, and required fees. Any unspent funds remaining at the end of the spring 2026 semester must be returned to the scholarship fund.

The scholarship does not cover summer coursework, transportation, computers, housing and board, or other personal costs.

ACADEMIC PLANS AND COST DOCUMENTATION
Applicants must identify an academic or vocational objective and a clear career goal, and list the specific school(s) they plan to attend. Each application must include the school’s published standard cost estimate for tuition, books, lab supplies, and mandatory fees (copied from the institution’s website or financial aid office). If applying to multiple schools, provide cost statements from each.

JUDGING PROCESS
An independent panel appointed by the Sidney R. Baer, Jr. Foundation—made up of psychiatric professionals and consumer advocates—will review eligible applications according to the stated criteria. The panel determines recipients and award amounts based on financial need and educational goals. All deliberations are final and confidential. Scholarship awards may range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars.

Only the judging panel will review applications. Materials remain confidential and will be destroyed after judging; they will not be returned. The panel will complete its decision-making in April 2026. Applicants will be informed of the panel’s decision in May 2026. Final notification to winners will occur in July 2026.

APPLICATION DEADLINES AND NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE
- Application submission deadline (online or postmarked mail): January 31, 2026.
- Panel decisions completed: April 2026.
- All applicants notified of a decision: May 2026.
- Winners notified: July 2026.

FAFSA REQUIREMENT
Applicants must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) through the U.S. Department of Education. Do not mail FAFSA materials with your scholarship application. If selected as a finalist, you must provide proof of FAFSA completion by April 1, 2026.

Exceptions: FAFSA is not required for applicants seeking assistance for high school or GED coursework, and some graduate programs may be exempt on a case-by-case basis.

ESSAY REQUIREMENTS
The essay must be no longer than four double-spaced typed pages and must be divided into seven clearly labeled sections. Essays that do not include these headings at the start of each section will be rejected from judges’ review. The required section headings are:

1. My Career Goal and My Rationale for Choosing This Goal
2. How This Course of Study Will Help Me Achieve My Career Goal
3. How My Illness Has Impacted My Ability to Succeed in School, Maintain Employment or Establish Relationships
4. Steps I Have Taken to Prepare for Pursuit of This Education
5. Rationale for the Specific School Chosen
6. My Plans to Continue Treatment While Pursuing an Education
7. My Efforts to Reintegrate through Community Involvement

RECOMMENDATIONS
Three recommendation forms are required:

- One must be completed by the applicant’s prescribing authority (psychiatrist or other licensing prescriber). This verifies diagnosis; applications missing this form will be disqualified.
- Two additional recommendations may come from non-family sources such as a supervisor, teacher, therapist, sponsor, or community member. Family members may not complete any recommendation forms.

If a referee cannot complete the online recommendation, alternative submission instructions are available on the Scholarships Recommendations page. If the prescribing authority is unwilling or unable to return the form by the deadline, applicants may submit a medical facesheet that documents diagnosis and current medications; however, this is a last resort and the program strongly encourages applicants to obtain the prescribing authority’s completed form.

A letter from Dr. Ralph Aquila describing the prescribing authority’s role in the process is available for download to assist providers.

SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS
Applicants may include up to three optional supplemental items (not required). Examples: resume, writing samples, photographs of artwork, certificates, etc.

RENEWAL GUIDELINES
Recipients are encouraged to reapply each year until they complete their stated educational objective. Prior recipients will receive priority consideration if they demonstrate ongoing academic progress and sustained rehabilitative/reintegration engagement. Returning applicants must submit:

- Current grade report
- Updated application form
- A new recommendation form from their prescribing authority
- A signed Personal Consent & Release Form
- A statement confirming academic goals and hours completed/remaining to fulfill degree requirements

If a returning scholar is pursuing a different degree program, they must submit a full new application. For the 2026–27 academic year, Baer Scholars will also be asked to submit a brief progress report at the midpoint of each semester.

APPLICATION METHODS
Online: The Center for Reintegration administers the application through SmarterSelect. The online system allows applicants to save and edit their application before final submission, monitor whether referees have completed recommendation forms, use a built-in completeness checklist, email the program directly from within the application, and benefit from secure, encrypted data handling. Apply online via the SmarterSelect portal.

By mail: If applying by post, completed application materials must be postmarked by January 31, 2026. Do not send FAFSA materials with the mailed application.

CONTACT
For questions or more information, email: baerscholarships@reintegration.com. All inquiries will be handled by email only.