In this guide, we will share useful information about financial aid for recovering addicts, as well as scholarships and grants for recovering addicts who are trying to pursue a degree. We will also discuss what schools offer financial aid for recovering addicts.
The US News & World Report reveals that a whopping $442 billion is spent per year by the US federal government on substance abuse treatment. You can benefit from addiction treatment services and the financial assistance that the federal government provides each year.
Does FAFSA Help Recovering Addicts?
Yes, FAFSA helps recovering addicts by giving them access to financial aid. Although FAFSA does not cover addiction treatment services, scholarships obtained through FASFA can help you offset the financial costs of education and put you on track to be better able to meet financial challenges in the future.
Financial need is an eligibility requirement for Federal Student Aid, in addition to being a US citizen or eligible noncitizen, and enrolled at an accredited degree-granting institution. You can check the FAFSA website for information about other requirements.
How to Find Financial Aid for Recovering Addicts
- Sober living homes. Low to no-cost recovery houses are available through many for-profit and nonprofit organizations. Some can offer financial assistance and help with living expenses.
- Financial aid from a treatment facility. Many treatment facilities offer financial assistance for recovery from substance abuse. First, you will need to find a treatment facility. SAMHSA provides a helpful behavioral health treatment services locator. Then, contact the treatment facility and inquire about abuse recovery financial assistance.
- Financial counseling. Financial counseling can help you identify financial assistance opportunities and manage your finances and spending habits. Recovering and attending a drug or alcohol addiction treatment center can present financial challenges. Work out a payment plan or strategy to pay off credit card debt with a financial counselor.
- Crowdfunding. Platforms like GoFundMe can help raise funds to pay for the cost of treatment and help with financial challenges associated with the cost of substance abuse treatment, such as residential recovery treatment or counseling services.
- Health insurance. Addiction treatment is typically covered by health insurance providers as a medical condition, and thanks to the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, recovering addicts are afforded the same considerations as anyone else. If you have health insurance, even through a government agency, like Medicaid, the cost of any needed treatments may be covered.
Financial Aid: The Best Scholarships and Grants for Recovering Addicts
| Scholarship or Grant Name | Provider | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Face the Music Foundation Scholarship | Face the Music Foundation – Fort Lauderdale, Florida | Varies |
| Hope for Recovery Scholarship Program | Seacrest Recovery Center – Boynton Beach, Florida | Varies |
| Lakeview Health Scholarship Support | Lakeview Health – Jacksonville, Florida | $3,000 |
| Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Grant | US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) | Varies |
| Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant | US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) | Varies |
| Sobriety Foundation Scholarship | Sobriety Foundation – Salt Lake City, Utah | Varies |
| The Right Step Scholarship Program for College Students | The Right Step – Houston, Texas | $1,000 |
| Treatment Scholarship | Recovery Foundation – Madison, Wisconsin | Varies |
| Veterans Affairs | US Department of Veterans Affairs | Free to veterans |
| 10,000 Beds Scholarship | 10,000 Beds – Cedar City, Utah | Varies |
The Best Financial Aid Resources for Recovering Addicts
There is a wealth of financial aid resources for financial assistance. The US federal government provides several forms of help. You can also obtain financial aid from a treatment facility—not all offer it, but many do. Below are some other resources for help with addiction rehab costs, the cost of education, and other financial challenges.
Face the Music Foundation Scholarship | Face the Music Foundation
The Face the Music Foundation is a non-profit organization based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It helps people who need substance abuse treatment and financial assistance to help with rehabilitation costs, including support for substance abuse prevention and aftercare through music-based programs.
Hope For Recovery Scholarship Program | Seacrest Recovery Center
The Seacrest Recovery Center is based in Boynton Beach, Florida, and provides the Hope for Recovery Scholarship Program for people who need access to treatment for substance abuse. It offers affordable outpatient treatment and intensive outpatient services.
Its offerings include rehabilitative therapy, Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, assistance finding and working with a 12-Step sponsor, and job preparation. The different options are Partial Hospitalization Program, Intensive Outpatient Program, Outpatient Program, and Sober Living.
Lakeview Health Scholarship Support | Lakeview Health
Lakeview Health is an addiction treatment center that offers scholarship support in the form of a one-time reward of $3,000 in financial assistance to graduate or undergraduate students affected by substance abuse. There are eligibility requirements, so make sure to check the website.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Grant | US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is a federal grant for recovering addicts. Block grants are given to state addiction treatment providers to benefit people in need. SAMHSA usually has income requirements and other requirements for participating in a specific treatment program by the courts. More information about grants and treatment programs can be found on the SAMHSA website.
Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant | US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
The Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant is for pregnant women and women with dependent children, intravenous drug users, tuberculosis services, early intervention services for HIV/AIDS, and primary prevention services. It provides funds to all 50 states, Washington DC, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, six Pacific jurisdictions, and one tribal entity to treat and prevent drug abuse.
Sobriety Foundation Scholarship | Sobriety Foundation
The Sobriety Foundation was formerly known as the SOL Scholarship Foundation and is based in Utah. It caters to Utah residents and provides funding to low-income people with substance use disorders who are in need of financial assistance. The grant is for sober living costs during treatment for addiction. The foundation also offers other services promoting long-term recovery efforts.
The Right Step Scholarship Program for College Students | The Right Step
The Right Step operates in Texas and Tennessee and provides a full-service rehab center. The Right Step offers the Right Step Scholarship Program for College Students, a one-time reward of $1,000 in financial assistance to pay for college. You can find information about the application process on the organization’s website.
Treatment Scholarship | Recovery Foundation
The Recovery Foundation is a non-profit organization based in Madison, Wisconsin. It provides a scholarship to people with substance abuse disorders to help with the costs of treatment. Those with health insurance, apart from BadgerCare, or other financial resources are not eligible for Recovery Foundation Scholarships. Applicants will need to demonstrate their financial needs.
Veterans Affairs Benefits | US Department of Veterans Affairs
The US Department of Veterans Affairs has several programs available to military veterans struggling with drug or alcohol addiction. There are treatment programs like inpatient and outpatient services, medically assisted treatment programs, and residential care. These are available to qualifying veterans at no cost.
10,000 Beds Scholarship | 10,000 Beds
This non-profit organization is based in Delaware and Utah and partners with addiction treatment programs across the country. 10,000 Beds provides scholarships to people who want treatment for addiction to drugs or alcohol and require financial assistance. Scholarships are awarded based on several factors. Check the website to see if you’re eligible.
Schools That Offer Financial Aid for Recovering Addicts
Texas Tech University
The Center for Collegiate Recovery Communities (CCRC) offers financial aid in the form of scholarships to students who show a commitment to recovery, academics, and leadership. There are various application requirements, including a minimum 3.0 GPA. There are also a limited number of part-time CCRC scholarships available.
Tulsa Community College
Tulsa Community College offers a Recovery Scholarship for students with six months of continuous recovery from an addictive disorder. Applicants should be enrolled in at least six credit hours at Tulsa Community College for the next academic term. Other requirements, like being an active member of a student organization, are mentioned on the college’s website.
Arizona State University
Arizona State University offers the Hope for Recovery Scholarship to undergraduate students at ASU who have recovered or are recovering from substance abuse addiction. Amounts for the scholarship vary, and you must maintain a 2.0 GPA and be an Arizona resident. Any amount can certainly help, given the average cost of tuition.
The University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin has two scholarships for students recovering from drug or alcohol abuse. The Center for Students in Recovery (CSR) at the University of Texas at Austin offers a scholarship to students recovering from substance abuse addiction. It also provides FAFSA assistance. Check the website for scholarship eligibility requirements.
University of Southern Maine
The University of Southern Maine offers the $2,500 Recovery Oriented Campus Center (ROCC) Scholarship to five students each fall and spring semester. Preference is given to students who are identified as recovering from drug and alcohol and drug addiction, need financial assistance, and have at least a 2.5 GPA.
Should You Apply for Recovering Addicts Financial Aid?
Yes, you should apply for financial aid for recovering addicts if you are a recovering addict who needs it. Substance abuse treatment adds to your financial responsibilities during a time you need to solely focus on your recovery. With such a high cost of rehab and substance addiction treatment options, financial aid comes in very handy.
In addition, a financial counselor can teach you how to manage a credit card, take care of addiction treatment services payments, and other important financial concepts. Also, if you are considering pursuing an online substance abuse counseling degree program, there are many excellent choices that will equip you for a very important career.
Financial Aid for Recovering Addicts FAQ
According to Statista, 61 percent of recovering addicts insured by Medicare had their mental health or alcohol and drug use treatments covered by their healthcare coverage in California in 2017.
On average, effective addiction recovery takes at least 90 days of residential or outpatient treatment, according to the National Institute for Drug Abuse. However, some addictions take a minimum of 12 months, while others can take years.
The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) explains low-income classifications in HHS Poverty Guidelines for 2022. Low-income households are categorized based on the number of persons within the household.
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Faith-based rehab programs are addiction treatment programs offered by religious organizations. Faith-based rehab programs may not be cheaper than others, though sponsorships can help pay for drug rehab. Check with local churches and other religious organizations for help locating faith-based rehab programs.
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