Healey-Driscoll Administration Launches $25 Million Scholarship Program for Behavioral Health Graduate Students
Scholarship applications now open to strengthen
behavioral health workforce
BOSTON – The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced
today that they have launched a two-year $25 million scholarship program for
graduate students completing degrees or certificates in behavioral health
fields. Applications are now open for the first round of
scholarship funds, totaling $12 million for the 2024-2025 academic year. Awards
will be retroactive to the fall 2024 semester. Advanced degrees are required
for many careers in behavioral health, particularly for licensed and certified
roles providing clinical care. This program aims to reduce the financial
barrier for students, growing a diverse behavioral health workforce in
Massachusetts.
“In order to take care of our residents in Massachusetts who
are facing mental health, substance use, or other behavioral health challenges,
we need highly trained professionals,” said Governor Maura Healey. “By
supporting graduate students who are building specialized knowledge in
behavioral health, we’re building a workforce that can support members of our
communities who need care.”
“We’re proud to help make it possible for graduate students
to complete their degrees and begin serving more residents with behavioral
health needs here in Massachusetts,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll.
“Our state needs talented behavioral health providers, and these scholarships
are crucial for helping to grow that workforce.”
Eligible study areas include, but are not limited to,
graduate degrees and certificates in social work, mental health counseling,
substance use counseling, and mental health nursing programs. Under this
scholarship program, students may be awarded up to $12,500 for tuition, fees,
and stipends for each academic year in which they are enrolled, with a maximum
of $25,000 per student across two academic years. Scholarship recipients must
commit to working in Massachusetts for up to two years. Students are encouraged
to learn more and apply here.
“These scholarships help to reduce financial barriers on the
way to an advanced degree, supporting students who are preparing to bring
specialized skills and knowledge to our communities,” said Secretary of
Education Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “A strong behavioral health workforce
requires providers from various backgrounds, and that is only possible if we
lift financial barriers for those looking to enter this profession.”
“Part of our work to increase access to behavioral health
care in Massachusetts includes creating a stronger pipeline of students from
diverse backgrounds who can enter the field,” said Secretary of Health and
Human Services Kate Walsh. “This scholarship program will ultimately help
lower the barriers to equitable, culturally competent behavioral health care in
communities across our state.”
The $25 million scholarship program builds on the $12.4 million the administration awarded in December 2024
to 37 colleges and universities to financially support behavioral health
students completing unpaid internships and field placements. These grants were
for undergraduate and graduate-level students pursuing careers treating mental
health or substance use disorders. Both initiatives are aimed at building a
strong behavioral health workforce in Massachusetts.
“I’m proud that we’re able to help graduate students working
to get the credentials needed to provide crucial behavioral health care,” said Commissioner
of Higher Education Noe Ortega. “Colleges and universities across
Massachusetts offer rigorous programs that prepare students to fill much-needed
roles in our behavioral health workforce, and these scholarships reduce
financial barriers to entering this field.”
“Behavioral health professionals are on the front lines of
care, supporting children, families, and residents during life's hard
moments," said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland).
"When the Senate created the Behavioral Health Trust Fund, this was our
intention—to help ensure that we have the trained, compassionate professionals
we need in Massachusetts. The Senate has long prioritized expanding access to
mental and behavioral health care, and I’m grateful to the Healey-Driscoll
Administration for their continued commitment to growing this
workforce."
“I’m thrilled the Healey-Driscoll Administration has
officially launched this scholarship program to benefit behavioral health
graduate students. Providing these aspiring health care workers with $12,500
per academic year to cover tuition and fees will go a long way towards
offsetting higher education costs, which continue to escalate every year. With
a recognized health care workforce shortage, these incentives will work to
build a strong and quality behavioral health care workforce and support this vital
industry in the Commonwealth,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues
(D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means.
The scholarships are funded by Massachusetts’ Behavioral
Health Trust Fund, which was established with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)
funds and is managed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. The
Behavioral Health Trust Fund was a recommendation of the Behavioral Health
Advisory Commission, which was comprised of 22 members from government and the
behavioral health sector. Funds are used for addressing barriers to the
delivery of an equitable, culturally competent, affordable, and clinically appropriate
continuum of behavioral health care and services.
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