To address the critical shortage of behavioral healthcare providers, the Behavioral Healthcare Provider Loan Redemption Program offers loan redemption to eligible providers in exchange for up to six years of service. Eligible behavioral healthcare providers include psychiatrists, licensed psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, psychiatric nurse mental health clinical specialists, board-certified behavior analysts, licensed clinical alcohol and drug counselors, and licensed professional counselors.

The program will provide up to $50,000 per individual to redeem eligible participants’ cumulative outstanding loan balance in exchange for every two full-time years of service at approved sites. The program will provide a total of $150,000 in loan redemption in exchange for up to six years of service. Additionally, program participants who work primarily with children or adolescents are eligible to receive up to six individual incentive grants that shall not exceed $5,000 annually.

Approved sites are community providers of behavioral and mental health services located in New Jersey, including community providers operated by nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher education, school districts, municipalities, county governments, state agencies, and the federal government.

To qualify for loan repayment assistance, applicants must meet all of the following requirements:

1. Be a New Jersey resident and maintain residency in the state during program participation.
2. Be employed full-time or plan to be employed full-time at eligible behavioral healthcare providers at approved sites.
3. Maintain licenses, as applicable, to practice as behavioral healthcare providers in the State of New Jersey throughout participation in the program.
4. Agree to engage in the clinical practice of mental or behavioral healthcare for at least two years at approved sites pursuant to the terms of contracts with the NJ Higher Education Student Assistance Authority.
5. Not be in default on any eligible qualifying loan.
6. Not previously have been selected for participation in the program.
7. Not currently be participating in any other state tuition or loan redemption program or in the federally administered National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program, section 338B of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. s.254 1-1).

Event Type	Advocacy Professional Workshop Family Support Community Conversation Educational Workshop
Age Groups	Adults
Community Services	Basic Needs / Assistance Financial Assistance / Referrals Community Community Education Education Professional Education / Training Employment / Training Job Training Life Skills Training Supported Employment Vocational Training Family & Support Services Case Management Family Support
Health Services	Behavioral / Mental Health Anxiety Behavioral Family Conflict & Distress Mental Health Medical Health / Wellness / Nutrition

Last Updated: 10/11/23