The Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Loan Repayment Program (STAR LRP) seeks eligible disciplines who provide support or direct treatment of individuals recovering from substance abuse disorders. These individuals must work at a STAR LRP approved facility which is located in a county or municipality in which the mean drug overdose rate per 100,000 people is higher than the most recent national average or a mental health health professional shortage area (HPSA). Participants in this program are eligible to receive up to $250,000 in loan repayment assistance in exchange for a 6-year commitment to full-time employment at their qualifying facility.
Eligibility Requirements for MFTs
- Be a U.S. citizen (either U.S. born or naturalized), national, or permanent resident with a non-conditional Permanent Resident Card (Green Card).
- Educational Requirement: A master’s or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy from a school or program accredited by any recognized body or bodies approved for such purpose by U.S. Department of Education.
- Licensure Requirements: A current, full, permanent, unencumbered, unrestricted health professional license, certificate, or registration (whichever is applicable) to practice independently and unsupervised as an MFT in the state in which they intend to practice under the STAR LRP or from any state if practicing in a federal facility.
- Loan Eligibility: STAR LRP applicants must have eligible post-secondary or higher education loans. Eligible loans are:
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- Any loan for education or training for a substance use disorder treatment employment.
- Any loan under part E of subchapter VI of the Public Health Service Act.
- Any Federal Direct Stafford Loan, Federal Direct PLUS Loan, Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, or Federal Direct Consolidation Loan.
- Any Federal Perkins Loan under part E of title I of the Higher Education Act of 1965
- Must be employed at or accepted a position at a STAR LRP approved facility that is located in a county or municipality in which the mean drug overdose rate per 100,000 people over the past 3 years is higher than the most recent available national average overdose death rate per 100,000 people OR in a mental health Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA). The STAR LRP will use 21.6 as the most recent national average as reported by the CDC.
- Must be employed or accepted a position at a STAR LRP approved facility where employment will have begun by July 22, 2021.
- Applications must be submitted on or before July 22, 2021. Apply here.
Additional Resources
- STAR LRP Application Webinar: Monday, June 14 from 2 – 3:30pm ET
- STAR LRP Q&A Sessions:
- STAR LRP Program Eligibility Tutorial Video
- Application
