Please review the information below for each field of study, including program requirements and available benefits.
You should also carefully review the additional guidance provided below, which includes details on the Project RAISE application process, internship placement process, job-embedded placements, other potential funding sources, and frequently asked questions.
School Counseling
Project RAISE is currently accepting applications for School Counseling interns for Fall 2026 and Spring 2027.
Due to current funding limitations, these internships are offered with reduced benefits listed below:
Benefits
- Free virtual monthly professional development sessions
- Monthly cohort connection meetings
- $500-$2,000 bonus upon successful completion of internship (pending funding availability)
- Additional bonus to interns who remain in a Project RAISE district working as a fully licensed school counselor in the year following their internship (pending funding availability)
Requirements
- Submit application and secure internship in a Project RAISE district
- Complete internship in a Project RAISE district
School Psychology
Due to overwhelming interest, a waitlist is now available for School Psychology interns for Fall 2026 and Spring 2027. Project RAISE will notify applicants if a placement becomes available.
Due to current funding limitations, these internships are offered with reduced benefits listed below:
Benefits
- $40,000 stipend*
- Free virtual monthly professional development sessions
- Monthly cohort connection meetings
* Interns who choose to leave during the internship experience will be required to pay back the total amount of funds received.
Requirements
- Submit application and secure internship in a Project RAISE district
- Complete internship in a Project RAISE district
- Work first year following internship as a fully licensed school psychologist in a Project RAISE district*
- Work an additional year in a public K-12 Tennessee school district as a fully licensed school psychologist*
* Interns who elect or are unable to fulfill this obligation will be responsible to repay funds to Project RAISE.
School Social Work
Project RAISE is currently accepting applications for School Social Work interns for Fall 2026 and Spring 2027.
Due to current funding limitations, these internships are offered with reduced benefits listed below:
Benefits
- Free virtual monthly professional development sessions
- Monthly cohort connection meetings
- $500-$2,000 bonus upon successful completion of internship (pending funding availability)
- Additional bonus to interns who remain in a Project RAISE district working as a fully licensed school social worker in the year following their internship (pending funding availability)
Requirements
- Submit application and secure internship in a Project RAISE district
- Complete internship in a Project RAISE district
Project RAISE Application Process
Thank you for your interest in joining Project RAISE! We are thrilled to have you on board to help bring school-based mental health services to students in rural districts across the state of Tennessee. We are currently seeking interns in the fields of school counseling, school psychology, and school social work to serve students in 78 rural school districts. All internships are based on continuation of federal funding.
We have a simple, two-step process to confirm your participation. We will collect information about you, and then we’ll request information about your university/degree program and internship site.
Step 1
Submit the Project RAISE application.
Be prepared to provide your:
- Internship placement plans (e.g., start term, number of required hours, internship site planning details)
- Contact information
- Educational experiences, including contact information of the program or field coordinator/department chair of your current program
Step 2
After securing an internship site, you will complete the Project RAISE application with that information; a link will be provided to you when you submit the information in step one.
Be prepared to submit:
- Copies of signed agreements (forms provided/required by your university program and/or school district may be accepted, please see examples available on the missing info
- Details about your internship:
- School district, contact information for site/field-based and university supervisors
- Information about other project-related considerations for funding Assurances of project requirements awkward sentence….not sure what it means, maybe missing something?
- Copies of signed agreements (forms provided/required by your university program and/or school district may be accepted, please see examples available).
Internship Placement Process
We recommend submitting your Project RAISE application during the semester prior to your intended internship start date.
Please note that the Project RAISE application is not an application to a specific school district. Project RAISE does not select, recommend, or place interns.
Applicants are responsible for applying directly to participating Project RAISE school districts and ensuring placements meet their university program requirements.
Each school district manages its own placement process, which may include interviews, background checks, and other requirements. Districts are also responsible for identifying a site or field-based supervisor.
Job-Embedded Placement
Interns who are offered/accept a job-embedded internship placement can continue as participants of Project RAISE but will not be eligible to receive funds.
Other Funding Sources
Interns may not be eligible to receive Project RAISE funds if they have received other grant-funded money pertaining to the completion of the current degree program, especially if receipt of those funds was contingent on fulfilling a requirement to work in a school-based mental health position in a public school. Stipend recipients cannot concurrently fulfill obligations required by different funding sources. Interns can continue as participants of Project RAISE but will not be eligible to receive funds.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are 78 rural school districts affiliated with Project RAISE, how do I decide where I should look for an internship opportunity?
We know there is a need for school-based mental health supports in all 78 rural school districts affiliated with Project RAISE, but we would encourage you to consider thesefactors when selecting an internship placement:
- Does the internship position align with my program/degree requirements?
- Does the internship position align with my interests/vision for my internship and early career experience (e.g., will I be able to learn from a variety of experiences, will I have access to needed resources/systems to support my work, how often and in what format will I have access to my supervisor and/or other school staff in my field)?
- Is the district within a commutable location from where I currently reside or will I relocate to live in/close to the community?
- Can I see myself working in this school district after my internship?
- Does the district anticipate having a position available for me when I complete a successful internship experience?
- Do I have the flexibility/willingness to move to another rural/Project RAISE district nearby in order to meet the post-internship requirements for Project RAISE if a position is not offered/available after my internship?
We encourage applicants to approach the site selection process in the same way that they would approach a job search. If the district does not readily provide answers to these questions, it is important that the applicant asks for more information. Remember, a job interview is an opportunity for all parties to ask questions and determine fitness for the position.
My university program determines internship placement, how will I know if placement in the Project RAISE district will fit my long-term needs/employment goals?
We understand that internship sites are sometimes determined by the university program. All applicants are required to follow their program requirements/procedures, but are encouraged to consult with their field placement coordinator/director regarding their interest in participating in Project RAISE and the opportunity to inquire with appropriate district personnel prior to identifying the specific Project RAISE district(s) in your placement preference(s).
A Project RAISE district is offering me an internship opportunity; however, they do not have a qualified field-based/site supervisor for this position. Will Project RAISE assign a supervisor or do I need to find a supervisor?
Project RAISE does not assign field-based/site supervisors in any field of practice, but we will work together with you, the school district, and/or your university program to identify a qualified field-based/site supervisor. We believe that the responsibility lies with the school district to identify/provide a qualified supervisor, but we will work together with your university program if there are program requirements or standard procedures to address this concern.
I am studying in a school counseling/school psychology/school social work program and am interested in connecting with Project RAISE for my internship and early career experiences — when should I apply to join Project RAISE?
We suggest that you apply in the semester before your internship when you are considering and/or applying to districts. Project RAISE participation will not be finalized until we’ve verified your eligibility for internship with your university program and your internship placement with the school district. If your internship site will be determined by your university program, please notify your program advisor/fieldwork coordinator of your intention to connect with Project RAISE. Understand that Project RAISE does not replace or define any procedures for the internship placement process, but having this discussion with your university program will hopefully increase your chances of confirming an internship site in a Project RAISE district.