Virginia Behavioral Health Student Loan Repayment Program

 

The BH-LRP Application Cycle opens October 1 and closes April 15 of each year. 

https://vdh.myoneflow.com/oneflow/weblogin.aspx
Click the photo above to download program flier.

 

The 2021 General Assembly established a $1.6 million Virginia Behavioral Health Student Loan Repayment Program (BH-LRP) to help recruit and retain behavioral health (BH) professionals to practice in underserved areas of the Commonwealth and/or provide counseling and treatment to underserved populations. This program will repay a portion of an eligible BH professional’s student loan debt. In return, recipients commit to practicing in Virginia for a minimum of two years at an eligible site.

 

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Eligible BH-SLRP practice sites include behavioral health authorities or community services boards, federally qualified health centers, free clinics/hybrid clinics, rural health clinics, state mental health or correctional facilities, and nonprofit organizations serving uninsured or medically underserved populations and/or communities, stand-alone inpatient psychiatric facilities serving uninsured or medically underserved populations and/or communities.
  • Priority will be given to eligible BH professionals of color, those who speak more than one language fluently, and/or those who practice in one of Virginia’s many mental health professional shortage areas
  • Total award amount will not exceed 25% of student loan debt (annual limits include $30,000 for Psychiatrists and Psych NPs and $20,000 for Psychologists, LPCs, and LCSWs)
  • No employer or community match is required

 

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS:

BH-SLRP awardees must possess a valid and unrestricted license to practice in Virginia in one of theVDH BH SLRP flyer following disciplines:

  • Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists,
  • Psychiatrists,
  • Psychiatric Physician Assistants,
  • Psychiatric Pharmacists,
  • Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners (Psych NPs),
  • Licensed Clinical Psychologists,
  • Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs),
  • Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs).

 

ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES/REQUIRED FORMS:

BH_SLRP_Updated_Guidelines_2022

BH-SLRP Provider Support Form (1) ( To be completed by the employer & uploaded by applicant)

VDH Auto Qualifying Sites

 

CONTACT:

Please send questions to:  Stacy Davis, Health Workforce Coordinator, by calling (804) 659-3959 or by emailing Stacy Davis or Olivette Burroughs, Statewide Health Workforce Manager at olivette.burroughs@vdh.virginia.gov or call (804) 864-7431.