NYS OASAS Addiction Professionals Scholarship Program

Advance Your Career and Make a Real Impact - Imagine being a key part of the solution to the addiction and overdose epidemic, helping to save lives and make a meaningful impact.

Our Addictions Counseling associate degree program and integrated Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) program can help you achieve just that.

Apply for a Scholarship

Get Your Degree and Credential for Free or at a Reduced Cost

You could earn your degree and credential for free or at a reduced cost, thanks to the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports Addiction Professionals Scholarship Program. This program is funded by New York State’s Opioid Settlement Fund to address the state’s ongoing addiction and overdose epidemic.

The program offers comprehensive financial support, covering all mandatory fees and expenses after financial aid is considered, except for student loans. It also includes paid internships to give you practical experience. With an associate degree, you could work as a counselor or a prevention practitioner in New York State, with average salaries ranging from $50,000 to $62,000 per year.

This is not just about earning a living – it’s about making a real difference in people’s lives. Contact us today for more information or apply now to take advantage of this amazing scholarship opportunity.

Program Highlights

• 75% of the Addictions Counseling Degree can be completed on line. Courses are offered online, hybrid, day and evenings.
• Core courses in this degree program include: Intro. To Addiction Counseling, Pharmacology and Physiology of Addictions, Chemical Dependency Treatment Process, Cultural Competence of Addictions, Counseling I & II, Internship I & II.
• Courses are offered in both the fall and spring semesters. Summer courses are offered based on need.
• Students in their second year of study are assigned a field placement for two terms. These internships are central to the major and occur in local treatments facilities both inpatient and outpatient programs. Students are required to complete 168 hours of field work each semester of their second year. It should be noted that 90% of students are offered full-time employment at the end of their internship experience.
• The major is accredited by the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) and has been designed to meet educational requirements for the Credential in Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counseling (CASAC). Graduates from the program are immediately eligible for CASAC Trainee certification through OASAS
• Students in this program may be subject to drug testing and criminal background checks at their own expense. Results must be shared with the Department Chairperson and internship site.

Who is eligible to apply?

To be eligible to apply, you must be at least 18 years old by the end of your first semester in the program, hold either a high school diploma or a high school equivalency (HSE) diploma from an accredited school/program, and be a resident of New York State.

Preference will be given to applicants who are employed by OASAS-certified, funded, or authorized programs, as well as Office of Mental Health (OMH) and/or Department of Health (DOH)-certified Integrated Outpatient Services (IOS-SUD), or DOH Drug User Health and/or Harm Reduction programs, over those who are new to the profession.

Following priority populations, eligibility will extend to individuals working in the addictions field in eligible non-OASAS settings such as OMH and DOH programs not listed above, as well as those interested in working in eligible OASAS, OMH or DOH settings.

Bilingual/multilingual individuals are encouraged to apply.

Ready to take the next step?

Apply anytime. We will continue accepting applications until all scholarships have been awarded.

Students can apply by reaching out to the Department Chairperson. Applications must be picked up in at the Human Services and Addictions Counseling Office in Brahan Hall, Room 008. An interview is required once the application has been submitted.