Student Loan Repayment for Mental Health Professionals in Texas

[sanantone]

When CLEP3705 posted a link to an article on new Texas laws that included a law on the acceptance of AP scores, I looked through the whole list and came across one I found to be very valuable. Around 200 of Texas' 254 counties are designated as having a Mental Health Professional Shortage.

That’s a federal classification meaning there are more than 30,000 people per psychiatrist — the threshold at which it becomes nearly impossible for the average person to get a referral to a mental health specialist, experts say.

Texas Hopes to Attract More Mental Health Care Workers | The Texas Tribune

Additionally, 185 of Texas' 254 counties do not have one psychiatrist! In an attempt to attract more mental health professionals to shortage areas, Texas is offering loan repayment to psychiatrists, psychologists, licensed professional counselors, advanced practice registered nurses certified in psychiatric or mental health nursing, and licensed clinical social workers. I think they could have expanded the list to include LMFTs since they have a broad scope of practice and licensed psychological associates since they can do about as much as psychologists as long as they are working for a practice or organization with a supervising psychologist.

10% for the first year
15% for the second year
20% for the third year
25% for the fourth year
30% for the fifth year

This totals 100% of your loans if you work five consecutive years in a shortage area and accept Medicaid and CHIP or work in a Texas Juvenile Justice Department or Texas Department of Criminal Justice facility. There are caps, however.

$160,000 for a psychiatrist
$80,000 for a psychologist, nurse practitioner, or LPC
$40,000 for an LCSW

I don't know why the cap is so much lower for LCSWs vs. LPCs.

84® SB 239 - Introduced version - Bill Text

New Mexico and Louisiana also have similar programs.