NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Tennessee residents planning to earn master's degrees in behavioral health could get some tuition help from the state.
Through the Tennessee Behavioral Health Pathways Scholarship, the state is offering up to $30,000 in tuition, with a maximum of $15,000 per academic year, to help students seeking higher education in the field. The scholarship was established to address the Volunteer State's growing demand for behavioral health professionals.
“We’ve heard so many stories from scholarship recipients who have told us this support has enabled them to pursue their dream careers," Commissioner for the Tennessee Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services, Marie Williams, said. "Our community behavioral health providers tell us the graduates from this scholarship program are already having an impact on their workforce challenges."
More than $4.4 million has been appropriated for the scholarship program by the Tennessee General Assembly for the new fiscal year. Additionally, the Tennessee Opioid Abatement Council is contributing $2 million to the fund.
“The Opioid Abatement Council is beyond excited to support this scholarship program," Tennessee Opioid Abatement Council Chair, Dr. Steve Loyd, said. "Our work is focused on addressing the generational impacts of the opioid crisis on our state, and what better way to do that than to support the education of the next generation of professionals in the behavioral health field."
To qualify, applicants must be Tennessee residents seeking master's degrees in psychology, social work, psychiatric nursing, counseling or other similar behavioral health professions. They also have to either be enrolled, or be in the process of enrolling, into an accredited higher education student somewhere in the state.
Recipients commit to working at a state-funded, grant-contracted treatment agency that helps serve Tennesseans with the greatest needs and the least ability to pay. The Tennessee Association of Alcohol Drug and other Addiction Services works with the Tennessee Association of Mental Health Organizations to help administer the scholarship and ensure graduates meet their commitment to public service.
To see a full list of eligible agencies contracted with the Tennessee Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services, or agencies that receive grant funding through the Tennessee Opioid Abatement Council, follow this link. If you're interested in applying, you can follow this link.
from WKRN News 2 https://ift.tt/t6DcCTW
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