NJ Offers Up to $180K in Student Loan Relief and Incentive Grants for Behavioral Health Professionals

Eligible providers working full-time in approved NJ settings have until October 31 to apply for debt relief and supplemental grants under the state’s behavioral health workforce program.

TRENTON, NJ — The New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) has opened the fourth round of applications for its Behavioral Healthcare Provider Loan Redemption Program, offering up to $180,000 in student loan relief and incentive grants to qualifying mental health professionals serving communities across the state.

Eligible behavioral health providers who live in New Jersey and work full-time at approved nonprofit, educational, or government-operated facilities may apply for the program through October 31, 2025. The initiative is designed to address critical staffing shortages in the behavioral health sector by incentivizing professionals to remain in the field for extended periods, especially in high-need areas and among child-serving populations.

Under the program’s structure, participants receive up to $50,000 in student loan repayment for every two years of full-time service, with a maximum benefit of $150,000 over six years. An additional $5,000 per year, or $30,000 total, is available as a supplemental incentive for professionals who primarily serve children and adolescents, bringing the potential total to $180,000.

The current funding round allocates $3.825 million from the state's Fiscal Year 2026 budget. Since the program's launch in January 2023, 165 professionals have been accepted for funding. Applicants who were not accepted in previous cycles must reapply to be considered.

“By offering student loan relief to dedicated professionals supporting residents in the Garden State, we are enhancing the availability of mental health services in high-demand areas," said HESAA Executive Director Margo Chaly, Esq.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify, applicants must:

• Be a New Jersey resident.

• Maintain full-time employment at an approved site throughout their participation.

• Hold a current license in an eligible behavioral health profession.

• Commit to a minimum of two years of service.

Approved professions include:

• Board Certified Behavior Analyst

• Licensed Associate Counselor

• Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor

• Licensed Clinical Social Worker

• Licensed Professional Counselor

• Licensed Psychologist

• Licensed Social Worker

• Psychiatric Nurse Mental Health Clinical Specialist

• Psychiatrist

Selection Process

HESAA uses a scoring system to evaluate applications, with priority given to providers who:

• Serve in high-demand professions or regions.

• Work primarily with children or adolescents.

• Earn lower salaries in their current roles.

Demand indicators are based on labor market data provided by the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

Application and Additional Information

Interested individuals can access the full eligibility criteria and application portal by visiting the official HESAA website: www.hesaa.org/Pages/BHLRP.aspx.

This program is part of New Jersey's broader strategy to strengthen behavioral health infrastructure and improve access to care in underserved areas through workforce development incentives.