The Illinois Community Behavioral Health Care Professional Loan Repayment Program was established with Public Act 100-862.  The Program provides loan repayment assistance to qualified mental health and substance use professionals. The program was designed as incentive for recruitment and retention of those who practice in underserved or rural areas. It seeks to help address the shortage of Illinois community-based behavioral workers that causes disparities in access to critical mental health and substance use services. The amount of the annual award to qualified applicants to repay their student loan debt is based on their position and may be received for up to four years. The program is administered by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission. 

Applicants that meet qualifying criteria are eligible to receive from $4,000 up to $40,000 in student loan repayments.  Completed applications are due to the Illinois Student Assistance Commission by May 31, 2025, which is the priority consideration date. 

Applicant Eligibility:
  • Must be a US citizen or eligible non-citizen,
  • Must be a current Illinois resident,
  • 30% of the funding is reserved for minority applicants,
  • Must have a bachelors or higher in counseling, psychology or social work, or have other credentials as a CRSS, CADC, LMFT, LCPC, LCSW, APRN, PsyD, or other qualified certifications,
  • Must commit to working for at least 12 months in community behavioral health after receiving this repayment,
  • Cannot be in default on federal guaranteed educational loans, nor owe a refund on ISAC- administered scholarships or grant programs,
  • Must have an outstanding balance on an eligible educational loan.
Additional information linked below:
Provider Information:
ISAC, CBHA, and IARF are in the process of finalizing additional information that will be shared with the field, including a recorded webinar and slide deck - stay tuned!