Planning for college or training next year? Apply for the Vermont Grant and explore VSAC’s free scholarship booklet to help you cover costs.
Pursue a career as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner—tuition free
An interest-free, forgivable loan which pays up to 100% of tuition.
A program to increase the number of psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners in Vermont
Are you looking for a career that's hands-on, fulfilling, and in high demand? Consider becoming a psychiatric nurse practitioner and make a lasting impact in a field where your expertise is essential in changing lives.
Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners provide a rewarding opportunity to help people in a variety of settings, with pathways for advancement, solid earning potential, and educational growth. With a growing need for skilled practitioners, your compassionate care and specialized skills will always be in demand.
Some key psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner fields include:
- Psychiatric Assessment & Diagnosis
- Psychotherapy Techniques
- Crisis Intervention
- Medication Management
- Trauma-Informed Care
- Substance Use Counseling
Vermont Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Forgivable Loan Incentive Program
Funded by the Vermont Legislature, VSAC and the Vermont Department of Health have teamed up to offer the Vermont Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Forgivable Loan Incentive Program. This program covers up to full tuition, initial licensing fees and exam fees for qualified students pursuing a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner career in Vermont.
Funding for this program is limited and is awarded to qualifying students on a first-come, first-served basis until all available funds are awarded.
Awards are provided as an interest-free loan, which is forgiven when you sign a promissory note and fulfill the following work obligation following licensure:
- Complete one year of full-time employment as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner in Vermont for each year of assistance received
Note: Vermont residency is not required but preference will be given to students enrolled in a Vermont-based training program.
Vermont Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Forgivable Loan Incentive Program FAQ
- Who is eligible?
Students who are:
- Vermont residents
- Non-Vermont residents who plan to work in Vermont after completion of their training program
- Current nurse practitioners or registered nurses enrolled (or enrolling) in graduate level nursing courses that prepare you to take the American Nursing Credentialing Center competency exam for the PMHNP-BC certification.
- Enrolled at least half-time
- Maintaining good standing at their school
- Agreeing to work as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner in Vermont for a minimum of one year following PMHNP-BC certification and licensure, for each year of forgivable loan awarded
- Agreeing to complete a promissory note to repay the loan if the employment service commitment is not met
- Attending an accredited school approved for federal Title IV funding (Pell grants, federal Direct loans).
- How much is the award?
The award covers up to $17,650, in tuition at a Vermont private or out-of-state institution. This award can also be used to pay for fees, room, board and the cost of books and supplies.
- What period does this cover?
Funding awarded after June 28th will cover the costs of programs you attend during the 2024-2025 academic year (July 1, 2024-July 1, 2025).
- When should I apply?
Funding is limited. Applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis until all funds have been awarded.
- How do I apply?
- Complete the Unified Scholarship Application online through your MyVSAC account, click on "Work with Scholarships & Forgivable Loans", look for “Submit Application” and “Unified Scholarship Application (USA)” and follow the instructions.
- Complete the FAFSA for the academic year you’re attending or planning to attend a qualifying program.
- Submit essay #1 (general essay) and official transcript.
- For more information on these required documents, review the Scholarships for Vermonters booklet.
- If selected by the selection committee, you must sign a promissory note (that will be mailed to you with your award notification) committing to the conditions and specific work obligations of the program. The loan will be forgiven when these work obligations are met:
- Successful completion of the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner program
- Passing the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner exam
- Receiving your Vermont psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner license
- Working for one year as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner for each year you receive funding
- Working full-time in Vermont as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, employed directly by a Vermont health care provider, for a minimum of one year following licensure for each year of funding received
- How will I know the status of my application?
Log into your MyVSAC account and click on "Work with Scholarships & Forgivable Loans" to check the status of your application.
- What is an interest-free forgivable loan?
The State of Vermont offers several forgivable loan programs to encourage students to enter Vermont's workforce in specific high-demand fields. These unique loans:
- Are interest-free
- Require awarded students to
- sign a promissory note committing to specific work obligations when you accept the funding
- complete annual verification with the VSAC Scholarship Program each year
- Do not require payment while you're enrolled in the applicable program
- Are “forgiven” — which means that the loan does not have to be paid back — when you meet the work obligations outlined in the promissory note you signed
- Must be repaid if you don't complete the program, doesn't receive their license, or doesn't work in the field in Vermont following licensure
For example: Stacy received $17,650 in a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner forgivable loan program to study psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner at Vermont State University. Upon completion of the program, Stacy took her psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner exams and received her license and began working as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner in Vermont. One year later her employment was verified, and the loan was forgiven!
- Is other education funding available?
Vermont residents may also qualify for the Vermont Grant.
Additional questions?
If you have additional questions about your application or status, Contact VSAC or call 888-253-4819.