Behavioral Health Scholarship Program Opens for Applications
Latest effort in comprehensive workforce development effort
NASHVILLE, Tenn.—The Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS) is excited to announce that applications are open for a new, multi-million dollar behavioral health scholarship program.
The Tennessee Behavioral Health Pathways Scholarship is designed to support the next generation of professionals working in mental health and substance use treatment careers as they earn the advanced degrees necessary to begin their journey.
Eligible students can receive up to $15,000 in tuition assistance per academic year for up to two years as they pursue a master’s degree in fields including counseling, psychiatric nursing, social work, psychology, or similar behavioral health professions. In return for the tuition support, students must commit to working for a public behavioral health provider for the same amount of time they were on scholarship.
Governor Bill Lee and the Tennessee General Assembly appropriated $3 million dollars for the scholarship program to the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. TDMHSAS partnered with the Tennessee Association of Alcohol Drug and other Addiction Services (TAADAS) and the Tennessee Association of Mental Health Organizations (TAMHO) to administer the scholarship and ensure graduates meet their commitment for public service.
“We know this work is so meaningful for the people who do it. The generation of young people that’s in school now wants to help, and with support from this scholarship, they’ll be able to embark on a fulfilling career in behavioral health without the burden of graduate school debt,” said TDMHSAS Commissioner Marie Williams, LCSW. “We’re so grateful for our partners at TAMHO and TAADAS for their work on this program, and we’re excited to see the impact that these amazing students will have on the people they serve.”
“TAADAS is honored to be a part of a program that creates a pipeline of new practitioners into the behavioral health workforce. In just a few weeks, we’ve seen a surge in applications thanks to schools that are directing students to seek scholarships and TAADAS member agencies who are encouraging staff to apply as well. This is a win-win for students, community agencies and the people of Tennessee who need behavioral health care,” said Mary Linden Salter, Executive Director, TAADAS.
“TAMHO and its association members are so excited to support this scholarship initiative and are grateful to the next generation of behavioral health professionals who are committing to serve the people of Tennessee. Governor Bill Lee, the Tennessee General Assembly, TDMHSAS, and TennCare have done incredible work to address public behavioral health workforce issues in the near term through rate increases and retention bonuses. With this scholarship program, we’re setting our state on a trajectory for a long-term solution to the most pressing issue in our field,” said TAMHO Executive Director Alysia Smith Knight.
The $3 million investment in state funds for the Tennessee Behavioral Health Pathways Scholarship is just the latest investment by Governor Bill Lee and the Tennessee General Assembly to support workforce needs of the state’s public behavioral health system. Other investments include:
- $50 million in one-time funding for mental health services and bonuses for medical practitioners
- $12.1 million in one-time funding for sign-on and retention bonuses
- $36 million recurring added in state fiscal year 2023 and 2024 for provider rate increases. An additional $6.4 million is included in Governor Lee’s FY25 budget proposal for TDMHSAS.
- Additional investments by TennCare