Medi-Cal Behavioral Health Scholarship Program (MBH-SP)
California Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI)
Up to $240,000 total for students training to become behavioral health practitioners who commit to 2-4 years of service in Medi-Cal safety-net settings.
- How much
- up to $240,000 total (prescribing licensed), $180,000 (non-prescribing licensed), $120,000 (non-licensed)
- Who qualifies
- Must be enrolled (2026 cycle: by Sept 30, 2026) in an education program leading to licensure or certification in an eligible behavioral health profession, keep that registration/license, and complete full-time service in an eligible California Medi-Cal safety-net setting.
- For undergrads, grad students, trade school students
- For behavioral health, mental health, psychiatry students
- When to apply
- Opens later Annual window: 2026 cycle opened Feb 2, 2026 and closed Mar 23, 2026; HCAI says the next cycle opens February 2027
- How to apply
- Apply on HCAI's Funding Portal during the application window
- Must show eligible education costs and submit a School Program Verification form
- What you'll need
- state application
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (hcai.ca.gov) and page 2
The details
Part of the BH-CONNECT workforce initiative. Total scholarship funding by track: up to $240,000 for programs leading to licensed, prescribing behavioral health practitioners (4-year service obligation); up to $180,000 for non-prescribing licensed practitioners (4 years); up to $120,000 for non-prescribing, non-licensed practitioners (4 years for $20K or more, 3 years for $10K-$20K, 2 years for under $10K). Service is in safety-net settings such as FQHCs, community mental health centers, rural health clinics, and settings with a high Medi-Cal/uninsured payer mix.
More money from California
- Cal Grant A2026-27 max: UC $15,588 (2026-27 cohort), CSU $6,838, CCC bachelor's program $3,024, private institutions $4,000-$9,358
- Student Success Completion Grant (SSCG)up to $8,000 per year (15+ units/semester); $2,596 per year (12-14.99 units/semester)
- Cal-HBCU Transfer Grant Programup to $5,000 (one-time)
- Cal Grant C2026-27 max: community college $1,094 (books/supplies); private schools $2,462 tuition/fees + $547 books/supplies
- Cal Grant B2026-27: $1,648 access award (first year); from year two also tuition/fees up to $15,588 at UC, $6,838 at CSU, $4,000-$9,358 at private schools
Keep looking
- Answer a few questions to see every program you qualify for
- Nearby states: Arizona, Nevada, Oregon
- Federal aid and national scholarships (open to students in any state)
- The FAFSA in plain English (2027-28)
- Should I file the FAFSA if I don't think I'll qualify?
- FAFSA deadlines by state (2027-28)
- The FAFSA for parents: what you need to do
- How to save on textbooks: free, rented and cheaper options
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