The MassHealth Behavioral Health Student Loan Repayment Program is designed to address the shortage of trained behavioral health professionals serving underserved communities across Massachusetts.

why apply?

If you commit to four years of full-time service providing behavioral healthcare in an eligible setting, you can receive up to $300,000 in student loan repayment.

By participating, you will:

Receive financial relief from your educational debt
Contribute to enhancing behavioral health in underserved communities
Help bridge the gap in access to quality behavioral health care, ensuring that more patients across the Commonwealth receive the support they need

Application Launch Date: November 14, 2024
Application Close Date: December 12, 2024, at 9:00 PM EST

how do i get my award?

Complete Your Contract

Review & sign your contract before the specified deadline.

Verify Your Information

Complete all forms and Eligibility Verification requests before the specified deadlines.

Award Disbursement

Your student loan repayment award will be disbursed directly to your loan servicer.

Maintain Eligibility

You must remain within the employment and service eligibility conditions outlined in your contract and notify the MA Repay Program prior to changing your employment status. Learn more below.

WHO CAN APPLY?

You may be eligible if you:

Work in a community-based setting that serves at least 40% MassHealth and/or uninsured patients. Examples of organizations that may be eligible include but are not limited to:
- Community Health Centers (CHC)
- Community-based Organizations
- Personal Practices
- Community Hospitals

Work in one of the following job roles:
- Psychiatrist
- Nurse Practitioner with prescribing privileges
- Licensed Behavioral Health Clinician

For more information, refer to the Eligible Job Role List.

Work full-time at an eligible organization
- Full-time is defined as a minimum of 35 hours per week for a minimum of 45 weeks per service year
- Full-time service obligation may be satisfied by aggregating employment in two separate eligible settings

Provide or supervise direct outpatient behavioral health care
Have outstanding debt related to your qualifying degree
Are not participating in any other loan repayment programs. (Participation in federal public service loan forgiveness (PSLF) does not disqualify you from MA Repay.)

For more information on eligibility, refer to the Common Questions.

Award Amounts

Professional Category

Maximum Full-Time Award

Psychiatrist

Up to $300,000

Nurse Practitioner with Prescribing Privileges

Up to $300,000

Licensed or Pre-Licensed Behavioral Health Clinicians (Master's and Doctoral Level)*

Up to $50,000

Licensed Behavioral Health Clinicians (Bachelor's Level)

Up to $30,000

*Includes master's prepared pre-licensed professionals who are eligible for independent licensure within 1 year of award.

service commitment

You must agree to a four-year service commitment in an eligible role at an eligible organization
You may change employers during your service commitment, provided the new employment is at an eligible organization. For more information on job changes, please review the Policy Guide.

how to apply

Steps:

Review the Common Questions for more information on the application process
Register to apply
After registering, you will receive a link to the application via email
Complete and submit an application before December 12, 2024 at 9:00 PM EST

Application decisions will be announced in Spring 2025.

MassHealth Behavioral health

student loan repayment program

Reduce Your Educational Debt While Working in Behavioral Health Services

Questions about the loan repayment program?

Future Updates