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.  

Statements of Support 

Senator John Velis (D-Westfield), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery:

"Our Commonwealth continues to be challenged by the limited number of behavioral health providers as demand grows for these supportive and critical service. For many potential students, pursuing a graduate degree presents a real financial challenge and is simply out of reach. I am grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration and Secretary Walsh for recognizing this barrier and utilizing funds from the Behavioral Health Trust Fund to support students and grow out our behavioral health workforce.” 

Representative Mindy Domb (D-Amherst), House Chair of the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use, and Recovery: 
"As the new House Chair of the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery, I'm thrilled to see the roll out of this scholarship program that will undoubtedly strengthen our behavioral health workforce. I want to acknowledge and thank my predecessor and colleague, Chair Adrian Madaro, for his leadership on the Behavioral Health Advisory Commission and the resulting allocation of federal ARPA dollars for this scholarship program. I also want to express my gratitude to Speaker Mariano for his continued commitment to prioritizing behavioral health in this budget and those prior despite state and federal funding challenges. The Commission's recommendations, which were incorporated into the FY24 Annual Budget, reflect the General Court's understanding that the workforce is the backbone of the behavioral health delivery system.?By defraying the costs associated with becoming a provider, these scholarships will reduce barriers to the recruitment and retention of a behavioral health workforce that reflects the diversity of Commonwealth residents." 

Senator Cindy F. Friedman (D-Arlington), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing:

“The only way for us to move out of the behavioral health workforce crisis we are experiencing is to ensure that those with a passion and commitment to serve in the behavioral health space can do so, without the financial burden of pursing advanced degrees,” said “The cost of education should not stand in the way of qualified, dedicated individuals who are capable of making a needed difference in others’ lives from participating in this work. I am grateful to the Healey Administration and the Department of Higher Education for implementing these scholarships to increase access to this field.” 

Representative John Lawn (D-Watertown), House Chair of the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing:

"This scholarship program is a critical investment in the future of behavioral health care in Massachusetts," said "By easing the financial burden for graduate students pursuing careers in the behavioral health sector, we're not only opening doors for the next generation of providers — we’re ensuring that more residents across the Commonwealth will have access to the high-quality, culturally competent care they deserve." 

Representative Adrian C. Madaro (D-Boston), Former Co-Chair of the Behavioral Health Advisory Commission:

“When I was Chair of the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery, the House of Representatives appropriated funding in the FY’24 budget to provide $25 million in scholarships for graduate students completing degrees or certificates in behavioral health fields. This appropriation was based on a recommendation from the Behavioral Health Advisory Commission, which I had the honor of co-chairing with Senator Julian Cyr. Today, I’m thrilled to see the Healey-Driscoll administration take the steps necessary to begin distributing these awards to people who are committed to working in the behavioral health sector.”  

Senator Julian Cyr (D-Truro), Former Co-Chair of the Behavioral Health Advisory Commission:

“We urgently need to grow and strengthen our behavioral health workforce, and this scholarship program is exactly the kind of bold investment Massachusetts must make. I am very proud the Senate led the way in appropriating $192 million in federal pandemic relief funds to bolster our behavioral health workforce, including the monies announced today. By supporting graduate students today, we’re building the foundation for a more accessible, equitable, and compassionate system of care for tomorrow.” 

Dr. Linda Thompson, Chair of the Massachusetts State Universities Council of Presidents and President of Westfield State University:

“Partnerships in supporting the health and well-being of our residents is a critical part in addressing the many types of behavioral challenges that impact our communities. Government, business, healthcare companies, and higher education all have a role to play in creating programs that benefit the mental health of our communities. By working together and utilizing combined resources, we can better determine the most effective approaches to devise and deliver the best care. The State University Council of Presidents applauds the Healey-Driscoll Administration for offering scholarship opportunities to students aiming to expand and build upon their education in the behavioral health fields. This action complements the work already implemented by the Behavioral Health Advisory Commission and will close the gap in staffing to ensure all Massachusetts residents have access to the care they need.”  

Marty Meehan, UMass President:

“This important scholarship program will help tackle the critical shortage of behavioral health professionals by making graduate degrees attainable for more students in the Commonwealth. We are grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for prioritizing these important areas of study, making it easier for graduate students at UMass to earn their degrees and start careers in the behavioral health fields so more people can receive the care they need.” 

Rob McCarron, President and CEO of the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities in Massachusetts:

“We applaud the Healey-Driscoll administration for their continued support for graduate students pursuing careers in the behavioral health fields. This scholarship program is a crucial investment in building the behavioral health workforce needed to meet the counseling and behavioral health needs of Massachusetts’ residents. The inclusion of graduates of private colleges and universities in this important initiative recognizes the important role they play in training the next generation of behavioral health professionals.”