HealthForce Partners Need-Based Scholarship

HealthForce Partners Need-Based Scholarship Guidelines for 2024-25

The San Joaquin County Behavioral Health Workforce Partnership (SJCBHWP) was developed by Behavioral Health Services (BHS) in collaboration with HealthForce Partners (HFP) to make funding available to members of the county’s mental health workforce who work in a network adequacy-facing organization with the MEDI-CAL population. Through this program, the partnership seeks to address the deficit of clinical professionals serving within San Joaquin County (SJC) by offering hardship-based scholarships to current bachelor level educated individuals who plan to attain a master’s degree in an approved program.

*Scholarships may be awarded up to $5,000 per student per academic year. Maximum award $10,000 in total including both academic years.

Eligibility Requirements

Students must possess a bachelor’s degree in a field that qualifies them to enter a masters-level program to obtain a master’s degree in Master Social Work, Master's Program in Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy, or Masters in Counseling: Professional Clinical Counselor.

Application to Scholarship

• Submit Application - On application, students must indicate if they live in Stockton
• Personal Statement - Include a prompt about how they are connected to SJC and/or how they
• would invest in SJC.
• FAFSA on file or income verification form
• Proof of Residency - Driver's license, PG & E bill, bank statement
• If applicable - Applicant Employment Verification

Selection Process

Once the application period has closed, applications will be ranked and awarded based on areas of preference as listed below.

• Students currently living in San Joaquin County
• Current bachelor-level educated employees serving at a network adequacy-facing organization including San Joaquin BHS or an approved community based organization in San Joaquin County
• Second year students
• Unmet need
• Strength of personal statement

Award Requirements

Students must be enrolled at least part time, as defined by the university, per academic term. Students must maintain satisfactory academic progress towards master’s degree attainment with a GPA of at least 3.0. Students must be a U.S Citizen, Permanent Resident, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.Students who are current employees must be in satisfactory standing at BHS or other network adequacy-facing organization within San Joaquin County, working a minimum of 24 hours a week. Employees on other service commitments are not eligible to apply. If applicable, students must agree to bi-annual employment verifications throughout the length of the award.

• Application cycle: November 1, 2023 - April 2, 2024
• Award decisions shared date: *Check with your program director*

Please note: the HealthForce Partners Need-Based Scholarship is considered estimated financial assistance and will be counted as part of the student’s financial aid award. The HealthForce Partners Need-Based Scholarship will be coordinated with the student’s financial aid package (any federal or state financial aid, including student loans, that the student may be receiving) to ensure that the student is not receiving more financial aid than their Cost of Attendance.

Along with standard student information, the application includes (3) personal statements:

1. Provide a description of your connection to the San Joaquin County community.
2. Describe your interest in practicing in a behavioral health setting in San Joaquin County serving vulnerable and economically disadvantaged populations. Provide any relevant experience.
3. Describe how this funding will support your needs in pursuing graduate education.

Submit Application

For questions or concerns please contact:

Kaitlyn Day
Graduate Studies Specialist, Office of Graduate Studies and Research
kwilliams14@csustan.edu