{"id":104655,"date":"2026-06-25T14:53:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-25T09:23:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.seminarsonly.com?p=5009"},"modified":"2026-06-25T17:13:25","modified_gmt":"2026-06-25T11:43:25","slug":"hcai-scholarship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/seminarsonly.com\/news\/hcai-scholarship\/","title":{"rendered":"HCAI scholarship: California health-workforce awards with a service promise"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By the Scholarship editorial desk  ·  Last updated 25 June 2026  ·  Verified against official program sources  ·  4 min read<\/p>\n

HCAI scholarships are not a single award but a family of programs from California’s Department of Health Care Access and Information. They share one idea: the state pays toward your health-profession education, and in return you commit to serving an underserved California community after you finish.<\/p>\n

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Quick answer<\/div>\n
HCAI runs several health-workforce scholarships for California students, each tied to a service obligation, usually one year of direct patient care in an underserved area. Amounts vary by program, from up to $25,000 (Advanced Practice Healthcare) and up to $35,000 (Behavioral Health and Certified Wellness Coach) to as high as $240,000 for some Medi-Cal Behavioral Health awards. You apply individually through the HCAI funding portal during each program’s open cycle.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
On this page<\/span>Eligibility and award<\/a>  |  Deadlines<\/a>  |  How to apply<\/a>  |  Documents<\/a>  |  Selection and renewal<\/a>  |  Official link<\/a>  |  Trust notes<\/a><\/div>\n

Core eligibility and award details<\/h2>\n

Award size depends on the specific program and profession. The Advanced Practice Healthcare Scholarship offers up to $25,000, the Behavioral Health and Certified Wellness Coach scholarships up to $35,000 for one year’s cost of attendance, and the newer Medi-Cal Behavioral Health Scholarship can reach $240,000 depending on the profession. Funds are restricted to education costs and routed to your institution, not paid as living expenses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Key detail<\/th>\nWhat to know<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Run by<\/td>\nCA Dept. of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Type<\/td>\nHealth-profession scholarships with service obligation<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Service<\/td>\nTypically 1 year direct patient care in an underserved area<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Award range<\/td>\nUp to $25,000, $35,000, or as high as $240,000 by program<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Use of funds<\/td>\nTuition, fees, books and required supplies only<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Apply via<\/td>\nfunding.hcai.ca.gov<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

HCAI sits inside California’s broader behavioral-health workforce investment, which has channelled billions into scholarships, loan repayment, and training. Individual programs target different professions: the Advanced Practice Healthcare Scholarship covers advanced-practice nursing roles, the Behavioral Health Scholarship Program spans dozens of professional categories, and the newer Medi-Cal Behavioral Health Scholarship funds students across many behavioral-health pathways. Funds are routed to your institution and restricted to education costs, never living expenses.<\/p>\n

Deadlines and timeline<\/h2>\n

Each HCAI program opens on its own schedule, so there is no single deadline. For example, the Medi-Cal Behavioral Health Scholarship cycle opened on 2 February 2026 and closed 16 March 2026, with awards expected mid-2026; the Advanced Practice and Behavioral Health programs run their own annual windows. Check the HCAI scholarships page for the program you want and the current open dates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Stage<\/th>\nWhen<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Program guide and application open<\/td>\nSet per program<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Application closes<\/td>\nPer program (often early spring)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Award notifications<\/td>\nLate spring to summer<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Service obligation begins<\/td>\nAfter graduation and licensure<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

How to apply, step by step<\/h2>\n
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  1. Identify which HCAI program fits your profession and education level.<\/li>\n
  2. Read that program’s grant guide for exact eligibility and award amounts.<\/li>\n
  3. Create an account and apply on the HCAI funding portal during the open window.<\/li>\n
  4. Document your acceptance or enrolment in an eligible accredited program.<\/li>\n
  5. If awarded, accept the service obligation and meet the licensure and employment terms.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Required documents<\/h2>\n