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119-hr-3655119th CongressWALLET

STAR Plus Scholarship Act

Sponsored By: Representative Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6]

Introduced

Summary

Expands the behavioral and mental health workforce through targeted scholarships. This program funds students training to treat substance use and mental health disorders in areas that lack enough providers and ties each award to a service commitment.

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  • Students and trainees: Full-time students in eligible programs can receive scholarships that cover tuition and reasonable educational expenses while enrolled. Recipients must sign a contract and serve one year in a designated shortage area for each school year funded, and the contract specifies damages for breach.
  • Communities with shortages: Awards are aimed at staffing mental health professional shortage areas, counties with high overdose rates, or other shortage facilities. A Replacement Fund will hold breach recoveries and other receipts to pay for recruitment or temporary services when needed.
  • Program design and taxes: The Secretary, through HRSA, administers the program and may prioritize applicants likely to remain in shortage areas or who are underrepresented. The law excludes these scholarships from recipients gross income and authorizes $75.0 million per year for fiscal years 2026 through 2030.

*Authorizes $75.0 million per year for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 for the scholarship program.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Scholarship money would be tax-free

This bill would make these scholarships tax‑free. Money you receive would not count as income on your taxes. The change would apply to tax years ending after enactment. That could lower your tax bill.

Scholarships for future mental health workers

If enacted, the Health Resources and Services Administration would run a new scholarship for behavioral health students. Awards would pay tuition and reasonable costs like fees, books, and lab expenses. Congress is authorized to provide $75 million each year for fiscal years 2026 through 2030. To qualify, you would enroll full time in an approved program, apply, and sign a service contract. For each funded school year, you would work one year full time in the United States. Service would be in a mental health shortage area. It could also be in a high‑overdose county or a site the Secretary names. The Secretary would give clear summaries of rights and penalties before you sign. Contracts could include damages if you break them, and payments would depend on future appropriations.

Backup fund to replace lost clinicians

If enacted, the bill would create a Treasury fund for this scholarship program. Each year it would get last year’s breach recoveries, plus interest and any sale proceeds. Money would stay available until spent, and the Treasury would invest only in U.S. government bonds. If Congress provides money, the Secretary could pay clinics that lose a scholar. They could use funds to hire or contract a replacement professional.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6]

OR • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 5/29/2025

  • Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 5/29/2025

  • Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 5/29/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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