Behavioral Health Conditional Scholarship (BHCS)
Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC)
Up to $41,000 (graduate) or $10,000 (substance use disorder certificate) for behavioral health students who commit to 3-5 years of service at an eligible Washington site.
- How much
- up to $41,000 across a graduate program (up to $15,500 for one-year programs); up to $10,000 across an SUDP certificate program
- Who qualifies
- Accepted/enrolled at an eligible institution in an approved behavioral health program; intend to work at an eligible behavioral health site (HPSA); satisfactory academic progress; 3-5 year post-graduation service obligation.
- For grad students, undergrads, trade school students
- For clinical mental health counseling, social work, marriage and family therapy students
- Need-based: your FAFSA decides how much you get.
- When to apply
- Opens later annual; 2026-27 applications have closed; 2027-28 cycle to be announced late 2026
- How to apply
- Complete the online BHCS application and the FAFSA or WASFA before the deadline
- File FAFSA/WASFA every year if selected
- Sign a promissory note
- What you'll need
- state application + FAFSA
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (wsac.wa.gov)
The details
Created by HB 1946 to address the behavioral health workforce shortage. Graduate students in eligible programs (clinical mental health counseling, social work, marriage and family therapy, applied child & adolescent psychology, counseling psychology) at 16 listed universities: up to $41,000 across a two- or three-year program, up to $15,500 for one-year advanced-standing programs or with one year left. Undergraduates in Substance Use Disorder Professional certificate programs at 19 listed community/technical colleges: up to $10,000 across the program, up to $5,000 with one year left. Amounts based on unmet need, paid over at most three years. Recipients sign a promissory note and must serve at an eligible behavioral health site for at least three years (reporting up to five) after a six-month licensure grace period, or the scholarship converts to a loan. Preference for students living in or intending to serve rural areas.
More money from Washington
- Washington College Grant (WA Grant)up to full tuition; 2026-27 maximum $13,203/yr (University of Washington), $5,095 at community and technical colleges; partial awards (60%, 50%, 24.5%, 10%) at higher incomes
- WSOS Baccalaureate Scholarship (BaS)$2,500 per year until accepted into the major, then $5,000, $7,500 and $5,000 in the following years
- WA Grant for Apprenticeship (WG-A)up to $2,548 (2026-27 maximum); based on family income, may be prorated
- College Bound (formerly College Bound Scholarship)free public-college tuition when combined with WA Grant; 2026-27 maximum combined awards from $5,595 (community/technical colleges) to $13,703 (University of Washington)
- Opportunity Granttuition and fees for up to 45 credits, plus up to $1,000 for books and supplies
Keep looking
- Answer a few questions to see every program you qualify for
- Nearby states: Idaho, 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
We list programs; we don't decide who gets them. Always check the official page before you apply. Spot something wrong? Tell us.