Funds will support early education, child care, home health, and other home- and community-based workers. To date, the MA Repay Program?has made available a total of $177.5 million in student loan repayment.

Boston - The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced today that the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) issued $14.6 million in student loan repayment award notifications to 721 direct care human service workers, supervisors and home health workers across the state. 

Part of the MA Repay program, the Human Service and Home Health Workers (HSHHW) Student Loan Repayment Program accepted applications from January 29, 2024, to March 1, 2024. The program attracted a high volume of applications from eligible candidates, resulting in a highly competitive application process. About half of awardees represent diverse racial and ethnic populations, with 56% of awardees speaking a language other than English.  

“The MA Repay Human Service and Home Health Workers Loan Repayment program provides student debt relief to a broad range of professionals who dedicate their lives to helping underserved populations," said Governor Maura Healey. “We’re proud to be executing now on the third round of the MA Repay Program and making this major investment to support workers in essential community roles across Massachusetts.” 

"This program makes a major difference in the lives of dedicated professionals who provide essential care and support in our communities,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “By easing their financial burden, we ensure that they can continue focusing on their important work, ultimately improving the quality of care and support for those who need it most." 

Eligible applicants include but are not limited to care managers, direct support professionals, social workers, and licensed clinicians. The HSHHW Student Loan Repayment Program opened eligibility to early education, childcare, home health, and other home- and community-based workers for the first time since the MA Repay Program began. Awards range between $3,000 and $30,000, depending on the awardees’ degree level and whether they work full- or part-time. In exchange for these awards, professionals commit to a 1-, 2-, or 3-year service in an eligible setting.  

"MA Repay and our partnership with the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers delivers meaningful student loan relief to our dedicated human service and home health professionals,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Kate Walsh. “Their work is vital to our communities, and these loan repayment opportunities are one way we can show how much we really value the people who do these important jobs.” 

"We are thrilled to deliver student loan relief to 721 direct care human service workers, supervisors, and home health professionals across the state,” said Assistant Secretary for MassHealth Mike Levine. “By supporting these dedicated individuals working in underserved communities, we are ensuring that our members have access to essential, high-quality care.” 

“We are proud to partner with the Healey-Driscoll Administration to provide financial relief and support for the direct care professionals providing high-quality home and community-based care across Massachusetts," said?Michael Curry, Esq., President and CEO of the?Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers.?“Through the MA Repay Human Service and Home Health Workers Loan Repayment program, patients and families across Massachusetts will continue to benefit from a diverse and talented human service and home health care workforce that is committed to providing care for years to come.” 

Applicant eligibility was contingent on their employment by a human service organization located in Massachusetts and funded or licensed by one of 15 state agencies. In addition to the minimum eligibility requirements, applicants meeting one or more of the following criteria were prioritized to receive an award:

- Applicant with an individual salary less than 50% of the area median income;
- Applicant can communicate with clients/patients and provide care in language other than English, and that language skill matches the need of the site where the applicant works;
- Applicant can demonstrate through a short answer response the ability to support access and delivery of services in a culturally competent manner to beneficiaries, including those with limited English proficiency, diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds, disabilities, and regardless of sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity;
- Applicant that is living or working in a Vaccine Equity Initiative (VEI) Community: Boston, Brockton, Chelsea, Everett, Fall River, Fitchburg, Framingham, Haverhill, Holyoke, Lawrence, Leominster, Lowell, Lynn, Malden, Methuen, New Bedford, Randolph, Revere, Springfield, and Worcester; and/or,
- Applicant that has worked in the direct care field for 3 or more years.

This constitutes the third round of the MA Repay Program, a student loan repayment program announced in November 2022 to support health and human service professionals in Massachusetts. The program is implemented in partnership with the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers (MLCHC). Previously, the first round of MA Repay provided educational debt relief to thousands of primary care and behavioral health providers. The second round made available $10 million in student debt relief to healthcare professionals who work for the Department of Mental Health (DMH), and over $3.4 million to 154 nurses who provide continuous skilled nursing (CSN) services to MassHealth members.