Medi-Cal Behavioral Health Scholarship

MBHSP@hcai.ca.gov
916.326.3899

The Medi-Cal Behavioral Health Scholarship will support individuals pursuing behavioral health degrees or certifications in California.

Recipients will be required to complete a service obligation of 2-4 years depending on the award amount. Full-time service is defined as a minimum of 32 hours per week providing direct client care at an approved practice site or 30 hours per week providing direct client care at an approved practice site that is in a school setting.

Professions that will provide full-time service for 4 years:

• Licensed Clinical Social Worker
• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
• Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
• Licensed Clinical Psychologist
• Licensed Vocational Nurse
• Nurse Practitioner
• Physician Assistant
• Occupational Therapist
• Psychiatric Technician
• Registered Nurse

Professions where the length of the service requirement is determined by award amount:

• Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) Counselor
• Certified Peer Support Specialist
• Certified Wellness Coach
• Community Health Worker

Service obligation by award amount:

• Over $19,000: 4 years
• $10,000 - $19,999: 3 years
• Less than $10,000: 2 years

Eligibility requirements:

• Be enrolled in an eligible education program, no later than September 30, 2026
• Maintain active registration, licensure, or certification in an eligible profession for the duration of the service requirement
• Not have an existing HCAI service obligation or a service obligation with any other entity that extends beyond August 1, 2026

Eligible practice sites:

• Federally Qualified Health Centers
• Community Mental Health Centers
• Rural Health Clinics
• Other settings:
  • Hospitals with 40% or higher Medicaid and/or uninsured population
  • Rural hospitals with 30% or higher Medicaid and/or uninsured population
  • Behavioral health settings with 40% or higher Medicaid and/or uninsured population

Maximum award amounts by profession:

• $240,000
  • Nurse Practitioner
  • Physician Assistant
• $180,000
  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker
  • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
  • Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
  • Licensed Clinical Psychologist
  • Licensed Psychiatric Technician
  • Licensed Vocational Nurse
  • Occupational Therapist
  • Registered Nurse
• $120,000
  • AOD Counselor
  • Certified Peer Support Specialist
  • Certified Wellness Coach
  • Community Health Worker

Links to additional guidance, application instructions, and the online application portal are available on the program website.