Tennessee Behavioral Health Pathways Scholarship
The Tennessee Behavioral Health Pathways Scholarship application portal is currently open for new applications through July 31, 2026.
The scholarship provides up to $7,500 in tuition assistance per semester, up to $15,000 per academic year, and a maximum award of $30,000 over two years for students enrolled in qualifying behavioral health graduate programs.
In exchange for tuition assistance, scholarship recipients commit to working for a community-based agency who provides mental health and/or substance use treatment services as funded by an Opioid Abatement Council (OAC) Community Grant. To qualify, the community-based agency must be an OAC Community Grantee under a treatment strategy community grant contract.
You can access the application and learn more about the scholarship by clicking the Application Portal button below.
Background
The Tennessee Behavioral Health Pathways Scholarship was established in 2023 by the Tennessee General Assembly and Gov. Bill Lee to address the growing demand for more behavioral health professionals.
The scholarship program is jointly administered by the Tennessee Association of Mental Health Organizations (TAMHO) and the Tennessee Association of Alcohol, Drug & other Addiction Services (TAADAS).
For more information, contact us at pathways@taadas.org.
Scholarship recipients must:
- Be a Tennessee resident seeking a master's degree in counseling, psychiatric nursing, social work, psychology, or similar behavioral health profession.
- Be enrolled or enrolling in an accredited higher education institution in Tennessee.
The maximum scholarship amount is $30,000 over a two-year period.
In exchange for tuition assistance, scholarship recipients will commit to working at a state-funded or Opioid Abatement Council-funded community behavioral health agency that serves Tennesseans with the greatest needs and the least ability to pay.*
Applicants can expect to hear back from scholarship program administrators within three weeks. Scholarships are not guaranteed to applicants.
* These agencies must be:
- Members of TAADAS or TAMHO with a provider contract with the state Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. To see a list of community agencies, click here.
- An agency that is part of the Opioid Abatement Treatment Grant. To see a list of these agencies, click here.
Not all TAADAS providers are eligible to accept scholarship recipients. For your convenience, click here for a list of supervisors available at TAADAS-member agencies.
For more information, contact us at pathways@taadas.org.
Testimonials from Past and Current Recipients
I wanted to reach out and thank you for allowing me to receive the Pathways Grant. Because of this grant, I have been able to successfully obtain my Master of Social Work degree from the University of Tennessee.
"Earning my master's degree was always a distant dream that never seemed achievable for several reasons. Self-doubt was a major barrier for a long time. I often believed that I wasn't smart enough to complete a graduate program or that I didn't deserve the opportunity. Addiction was another significant obstacle. There was a time when simply being sober enough to attend class or leave the house felt impossible.
"After finding sobriety and gaining more stability in my recovery, this opportunity became available. I knew it was my chance to pursue a dream that had felt unattainable for so many years. While I was confident in the work I was doing each day, having the education and training that came with earning this degree exceeded my expectations and is beyond anything I imagined possible.
"Today, I strive each day to serve my clients and my team to the best of my ability. I also view this work as a way of continuing to make living amends through service to others. Your support through the Pathways Grant has helped make that possible, and for that I am deeply grateful. Thank you again for your investment in my education and future. The impact of your generosity extends far beyond my degree and continues to influence the people I serve every day."
Kathleen Daily,
Director of Treatment,
The Next Door
