The New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) has opened applications for the latest round of its Behavioral Healthcare Provider Loan Redemption Program, which offers up to $180,000 in student loan forgiveness and incentive grants to qualified behavioral health professionals working in underserved areas across the state.
The program, now in its fourth year, is part of the state’s ongoing effort to expand access to mental and behavioral health services amid growing demand for care. Funding for this round totals $3.825 million from the Fiscal Year 2026 budget.
“Over seven and a half years, my administration has taken comprehensive steps to increase access to mental health supports for the children and families who call New Jersey home,” said Governor Phil Murphy in a statement. “This program builds on that progress by helping behavioral health professionals serve communities that need care the most.”
HESAA Executive Director Margo Chaly said the initiative aims to strengthen the state’s behavioral healthcare workforce by easing student loan burdens for licensed practitioners. “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,” Chaly said.
Under the program, full-time behavioral health providers working at approved nonprofit, educational, or government-operated sites in New Jersey may receive up to $50,000 in student loan repayment for every two years of qualifying service, for a maximum of $150,000 over six years.
Participants who primarily work with children and adolescents are also eligible for an additional $5,000 per year in incentive grants, bringing the total possible award to $180,000.
To qualify, applicants must:
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Live in New Jersey and work full-time at an approved site for at least two years;
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Hold a valid license to provide mental or behavioral healthcare in the state; and
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Serve in one of the following professions: board-certified behavior analyst, licensed social worker, licensed professional counselor, licensed psychologist, licensed clinical social worker, psychiatrist, psychiatric nurse mental health clinical specialist, or other designated behavioral health roles.
Applications are evaluated using a scoring system based on workforce demand data from the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, taking into account occupation type, regional need, applicant salary, and whether the provider works primarily with children.
Since its launch in January 2023, 165 behavioral healthcare professionals have been accepted into the program. Those who previously applied and were not selected must reapply under the new round.
Program details and applications are available at www.hesaa.org/Pages/BHLRP.aspx
