Michigan Loan Repayment Program for SUD Providers, April 30 Deadline

Applications for student loan repayment program to help expand substance use disorder treatment due April 30

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April 07, 2026

Program has assisted more than 200 providers and 8,000 clients

LANSING, Mich. – As part of continuing efforts to increase access to substance use disorder (SUD) treatment, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is accepting applications for the Michigan Opioid Treatment Access Loan Repayment Program through Thursday, April 30. This program is open to providers who begin offering or expand opioid addiction treatment programs.

“Michigan has made great strides in reducing overdose deaths through significant investments in prevention, harm reduction, treatment and recovery services,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “However, SUD workforce shortages can limit access to treatment. Through this program, we have been able to treat an additional 8,000 opioid use disorder clients and provide $3.7 million in loan repayment assistance to 202 providers.”

An estimated 1.3 million Michigan residents need treatment for SUD but are not receiving it, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. A needs assessment conducted by MDHHS identified workforce shortages as a leading cause for this gap. Michigan currently ranks 40th in the number of SUD counselors per adult with an SUD. This shortage, in part, is due to high costs and barriers to education and certification.

Through the Michigan Opioid Treatment Access Loan Repayment Program, providers may be eligible for student loan repayments of between $15,000 and $30,000. It is available to medical and osteopathic medicine doctors, psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, case managers and SUD counselors who begin offering opioid treatment or expand treatment that is already being offered. Providers who work in a variety of health care settings are eligible to apply.

The program is funded through the Michigan Opioid Healing and Recovery Fund. Michigan is slated to receive more than $1.8 billion from national opioid settlements by 2040, with half being distributed to the State of Michigan and the other half being distributed directly to county, city and township governments across the state.

Applications must be submitted by Thursday, April 30. Applications and other resources are available at Michigan.gov/miota.

For more information, email MDHHS-MIOTA-LRP@michigan.gov.

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Department of Health & Human Services MI Newswire Department of Health & Human Services 04 - April Press Release Media Contact:

Lynn Sutfin

517-241-2112

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