FL S1102

Establishes a mental health profession scholarship and loan forgiveness program within the Department of Health to attract students to mental health professions and encourage employment in shortage areas.

Scholarship awards provide up to $8,000 per year for up to 2 years to students enrolled in approved graduate programs in psychology, clinical social work, marriage and family therapy, or mental health counseling, with up to 5,000 scholarships awarded annually.

Scholarship recipients must work 12 months at an eligible health care facility in a mental health professional shortage area or in a faculty position for each year of scholarship received, or repay the full scholarship amount plus 10 percent interest.

Loan repayment awards provide up to $4,000 per year for up to 4 years for licensed mental health professionals who did not receive scholarships, contingent on continued employment at eligible health care facilities.

Department must review loan repayment applications quarterly and prioritize awards based on facility type, with implementation contingent on specific legislative funding.