Substance use disorder treatment professionals are necessary for the care, support, and wellbeing of those struggling with substance use and mental health challenges. Massachusetts faces a significant shortage of these key professionals, creating barriers to care while increasing health inequities. To address this shortage, the Substance Use Treatment Provider Student Loan Repayment Program offers eligible professionals student loan repayment in exchange for a service commitment in an eligible setting.

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.

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible for the MA Repay: Substance Use Treatment Provider Program, you must satisfy the below requirements:

Work in one of the following settings, located in Massachusetts.
‍Please note Cohort One and Cohort Two have different eligible settings. Cohort One signed Awardee Contracts before August 28, 2024. Cohort Two submitted applications in 2024 and will receive award decisions in Spring 2025.
- Cohort One eligible settings: Massachusetts substance use disorder treatment organizations that are NOT within, or a part of community health centers, community mental health centers, inpatient psychiatric hospitals, or psychiatric units in acute care hospitals.
- Cohort Two eligible settings: Community Health Centers (CHCs), Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs), Inpatient Psychiatric Hospitals, Acute Care Hospitals, Outpatient Treatment Facilities, Substance Use Disorder Treatment Programs, Programs assessing and treating children with co-occurring developmental needs, State or state-contracted programs, including school-based settings, Settings serving justice-involved populations.

For a list of eligible organizations for Cohort One, click here.‍

Provide direct care as a substance use disorder professional.
Have outstanding debt from a US financial institution 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.

service commitment & award amounts

You must complete a 4-year service commitment in an eligible setting.

Full-time Commitment: Minimum of 35 hours per week for at least 45 weeks per service year.
Part-time Commitment: Minimum of 20 hours per week (but not more than 34 hours per week) for at least 45 weeks per service year.

Professional Category

Maximum Full-Time Award

Maximum Part-Time Award

Master's Level Substance Use Treatment Professional

Up to $50,000

Up to $25,000

Bachelor's Level Substance Use Treatment Professional

Up to $30,000

Up to $15,000

Associate's Level Substance Use Treatment Professional

Up to $25,000

Up to $12,500

job changes

You may change your employer organization twice during your 4-year service commitment, provided the new employment is within an eligible organization.

You must notify the MA Repay Program prior to changing your employment status during your service commitment. This includes reduced working hours, new employment, unemployment, family and medical leave, etc.

For more information about job changes, please refer to the Cohort One or Cohort Two Policy Guide.

Substance Use Treatment Provider

student loan repayment program

Reduce Your Educational Debt While Supporting Substance Use Treatment Services

Please note Cohort One signed Awardee Contracts before August 28, 2024. Cohort Two applied in 2024 and will receive award decisions in Spring 2025.

Questions about the MA REPAY: SUBSTANCE USE TREATMENT PROVIDER PROGRAM?

Future Updates