Medi-Cal Behavioral Health Student Loan Repayment Program
HCAI is offering this Medi-Cal Behavioral Health Student Loan Repayment Program (MBH-SLRP) as part of the Behavioral Health Community-Based Organized Networks of Equitable Care and Treatment (BH-CONNECT) Workforce Initiative. The program is committed to expanding access to critical mental health and substance use disorder services across California.
The goal for the MBH-SLRP is to reduce educational debt for behavioral health professionals who commit to serving Medi-Cal members and underserved communities. Eligible behavioral health practitioners can receive up to $240,000 in loan repayment with commitment to a multi-year service obligation.
Application Cycle: OPEN
Applications must be submitted by 3:00 p.m., August 15, 2025. Review the 2025 MBH-SLRP Grant Guide for program guidance and requirements.
MBH-SLRP Informational Webinar
A webinar will be held on July 9, 2025, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. to provide information on eligibility and the application process. A recording of the webinar will be available online within ten days of the webinar date.
Maximum Award Amounts
This program provides loan repayment for behavioral health professionals with educational debt:
- Licensed, prescribing behavioral health practitioners are eligible for up to $240,000 in loan repayment
- Non-prescribing licensed or associate level pre-licensure practitioners are eligible for up to $180,000
- Non-licensed, non-prescribing practitioners, including SUD counselors, community health workers, peer support specialists and wellness coaches are eligible for up to $120,000
Service Obligation Duration
- Licensed, prescribing behavioral health practitioners and non-prescribing licensed or associate level pre-licensure practitioners will serve a 4-year service obligation, regardless of loan repayment amount
- Non-licensed, non-prescribing practitioners* will complete a service obligation period based on the loan repayment amount:
- $20,000 or greater: four years
- $10,000 to $20,000: three years
- Less than $10,000: two years
*Alcohol or Other Drug Counselors, Community Health Workers, Peer Support Specialists, Wellness Coaches, and other non-prescribing practitioners meeting the provider qualifications for Community Health Worker services, Rehabilitative Mental Health Services, Substance Use Disorder Treatment Services, and Expanded Substance Use Disorder Treatment Services in the California Medicaid State Plan
Eligible Practice Sites
Grantees must complete their service obligation in one or more of these Medi-Cal safety net settings:
- Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC)
- Community Mental Health Centers (CMHC)
- Rural Health Clinics (RHC)
- Settings with the following payer mix:
- Hospitals with 40% or higher Medicaid and/or uninsured population
- Rural hospitals with 30% or higher Medicaid and/or uninsured population
- Other behavioral health settings with 40% or higher Medicaid and/or uninsured population
Application Dates
Open July 1, 2025
Close August 15, 2025
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Resources
MBH-SLRP Grant Guide (July 2025)
Full BH CONNECT Special Terms and Conditions (STCs) (HCAI portion on pages 21-30)
MBH-SLRP Organizational Informational Webinar (May 13, 2025)
BH-CONNECT Council Slides (Feb 2025)
HCAI BH-CONNECT Webpage
DHCS BH-CONNECT Workforce Initiative Webpage
Learn more about BH-CONNECT
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