Pathways to Get Your Addiction Credential or Degree for Free or at a Reduced Cost
If you are interested in joining or advancing your career in the addictions workforce, you may be able to save money or even get your credential, certificate or degree for free.
Through the Addiction Professionals Scholarship Program (APSP), individuals may apply for scholarships to obtain a variety of degrees, credentials and certifications, including:
- Credentialed Alcoholism & Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC)
- Credentialed Prevention Professional (CPP)
- Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA)
- Associate Degree along with an integrated CASAC program
- Bachelor’s Degree in Addiction Studies
This initiative is funded by the Opioid Settlement Fund.
New Scholarship Opportunity
Associate Degree and Integrated CASAC Program
You may be eligible for a full scholarship to complete an associate degree and an integrated Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) program available at 15 community colleges statewide.
Available Scholarships
The Credentialed Alcoholism & Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) Program Scholarships are intended for individuals who provide direct clinical care services and substance use disorder counseling. The Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA) Program Scholarships are intended for individuals who provide direct peer support services.
Choose Your Path
Explore a Range of Scholarship Programs
Certificate Programs
You may be eligible to apply for scholarship funding for CASAC certification programs at Alfred State College and Stony Brook University and a CPP program at Alfred State University. There are also opportunities to pursue the CASAC and Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA) programs through various community-based organizations.
Bachelor's Degree Program
If you currently hold a CASAC or CPS credential, you may be eligible for a scholarship to pursue at least one semester toward a Bachelor of Science degree in Addiction Studies at Empire State University with the potential for continued funding through completion of the degree program.
Associate Degree and Integrated CASAC Program
You may be eligible for a full scholarship to complete an associate degree and an integrated CASAC program available at 15 community colleges statewide.
How to Apply, Eligibility and Requirements
These scholarships are for individuals who are currently working in the addictions services profession and those who are interested in entering the addictions services profession. To apply for one of the programs at a participating entity, please select and complete one of the applications and accompanying documents listed on the eligibility and requirements page and submit it to the contact person at the program you choose, or please contact the individual directly at the entity that you choose for more information.
Video: Free College Tuition? Yes, You Can.
Find Out What Scholarship Recipients Have to Say
Watch a video segment featuring interviews with scholarship recipients, a professor overseeing the Addiction Studies Program at Empire State University (SUNY Empire), and Commissioner Cunningham.
Program Goals
Advance Careers
Begin or advance your career in the addictions services profession.
Retain and Recruit Staff
Eligible providers certified by OASAS, Office of Mental Health, or Department of Health will get help with employee recruitment, retention, and professional development.
Developing Current and New Staff
The program offers a direct path for providers to develop staff already working in their programs. It also builds a pipeline of new staff to fill vacancies in the OASAS service continuum/addictions continuum of care.
Other Opportunities
Interdisciplinary Substance Use Disorder Fellowship Program
Explore a workforce development and fellowship program available at four medical schools across New York State.