Rehab Centers That Offer Scholarships

Addiction treatment is a widespread need in the U.S. but is not always accessible due to the many barriers Americans face. One of these is the high cost of treatment.

Consequently, some drug and alcohol rehab centers offer scholarships that partially or fully cover the cost of a treatment program. This helps make treatment accessible for low-income individuals and Americans without health insurance.

Keep reading to learn about scholarships for addiction rehabilitation including why scholarships are offered, what the application process may look like, and types of treatment offered.

Rehabilitation scholarships are grants or funding set aside to help low-income individuals or those without health insurance access addiction care. They are awarded to individuals who meet specific criteria, which differ from facility to facility.

Scholarships may cover part of the treatment cost or all of it, depending on the recovery center and qualifications. Partial scholarships may be used to help pay for costs not covered by your health insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid.

As mentioned above, the eligibility criteria to be awarded a scholarship will be different at each treatment center, so be sure to ask questions. That being said, some common qualifications include proof of being uninsured, proof of lack of income, an official substance use disorder (SUD) diagnosis, and other documentation to support your need for medical intervention.

There are many reasons a treatment facility may offer scholarships. Common reasons include addressing financial barriers and benefits for the facility.

The mission of addiction treatment scholarships is to address the financial barriers so many people face when seeking rehab. In 2022, 27.6 million Americans did not have health insurance. This can make accessing treatment nearly impossible.

Even with health insurance, many people may not be in a place financially to cover the remaining cost of treatment. A report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) found that 10.1% of respondents said their insurance did not cover the cost of treatment. Similarly, 37.3% of respondents listed lack of health insurance or inability to afford treatment as their reason for not receiving treatment.

In fact, more than 4 in 10 Americans who needed substance use or mental health treatment in 2022 did not receive it due to a barrier to care. Those who do not receive treatment are left to fend for themselves, allowing time for their addiction to worsen and putting them at risk for severe, long-term health consequences and even death from overdose or long-term substance abuse.

By offering scholarships, treatment centers can help lower these numbers, closing the gap in treatment access. Offering scholarships does not just benefit patients, however. Treatment centers see the benefits of financial assistance in many ways.

First and foremost, rehabilitation centers can impact the community by offering payment assistance. As of 2022, addiction affected 17.3% of Americans 12 years or older. By helping to address barriers to treatment, recovery facilities can improve public health.

Another way treatment centers can benefit from offering scholarships is the effect it can have on brand reputation. Offering financial assistance can have a very positive impact on the reputation of a particular treatment center which can increase enrollment.

Financial assistance in addiction care can benefit individuals, recovery centers, and the general public, so it’s an all-around win.

Treatments covered by a rehab scholarship depend on the facility, but we’ll explore some of the commonly covered treatment methods below.

Most treatment scholarships cover both inpatient and outpatient care. Inpatient treatment, sometimes called residential treatment, offers 24/7 care in a recovery facility where participants live for the duration of their treatment program. Outpatient treatment, on the other hand, is held at a rehab center on specific days of the week. Outpatient care allows individuals to remain living at home for their recovery but is not always the best option for more severe addictions. Some people choose to start in inpatient care and transition to outpatient care afterward.

In inpatient and outpatient programs, several treatment services will likely be covered by your scholarship. These include medical detox, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), group/individual counseling, and behavioral therapy.

Detoxification is a common treatment service offered at the beginning of a rehab program. It is the process of removing addictive substances from the body. The idea is to make the process of detoxing more comfortable and safe as withdrawal symptoms and cravings can make it very dangerous and uncomfortable on your own.

Another treatment approach you may encounter is MAT. MAT uses specific medications to treat addiction by inhibiting the effects of addictive substances, limiting withdrawal symptoms, and reducing cravings. It is often a long-term treatment and is most effective in alcohol use disorder (AUD) and opioid addiction.

Group and individual counseling as well as behavioral therapy are both used to address your mental health during treatment. They are commonly used in both inpatient and outpatient programs. Counseling is an opportunity to discuss your thoughts, fears, goals, and accomplishments surrounding recovery. On the other hand, behavioral therapy is used specifically to treat mental health disorders that often occur alongside addiction. These can include anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and more.

While it is possible to get a large portion of your treatment cost covered with a scholarship, as a disclaimer, some treatment options may not be covered. This can include luxury or alternative treatment modalities such as massage, acupuncture, and certain amenities offered at some facilities.

Finding a treatment center can be an overwhelming process as there are countless recovery options. Here are a few tips to make your search easier and narrow down your options.

When looking for an alcohol and drug rehab facility that offers scholarships, it can be helpful to take advantage of resources and search engines designed to find addiction treatment in your area. SAMHSA offers a treatment locator that makes finding rehab in your area easy. The treatment locator tool offers many filters, including one for financial assistance, that help narrow down your options to facilities that meet your exact needs.

Other search engines we recommend are the NIH National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) search engine and our top rehab centers listed by state. Each list provides a comprehensive breakdown of treatment services offered, payment options, and contact information.

It’s also important to make sure that the treatment facilities you’re considering for treatment are reliable and reputable. One way to do this is by looking for centers with proper accreditations and certifications as well as experienced staff. Look out for accreditation from the Commission of Accreditation on Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) and the Joint Commission.

Another way to ensure that you’re choosing a reliable treatment center is by looking at reviews from previous clients. This can help you get a sense of the patient experience rather than just the information a facility’s website offers.

Most importantly, especially when it comes to financial assistance, make sure to reach out to rehab centers directly with questions and for more information about scholarships.

Some questions to ask include:

• Do you offer payment assistance?
• What are your payment options?
• What are your eligibility criteria to receive a scholarship?
• Do you offer full or partial scholarships?
• What is the scholarship application process?
• What aftercare support do you offer?
• How will my treatment plan be developed?
• Is your program inpatient or outpatient?
• What certifications and licenses do your staff have?
• Do you offer any amenities?
• What are your visitor restrictions?
• How long is your treatment program?
• What do your housing arrangements look like? Will I be sharing a room?

The application process for a treatment scholarship may seem daunting, but we’ve got you covered. Here are a few tips for applying for a scholarship.

Scholarships can be a bit tricky to be awarded due to the high demand and often low funding. That being said, we recommend applying for numerous scholarships to increase your chances of receiving one.

You’ll want to call the rehab facility you’re applying for a scholarship with for details about the application process, but often you’ll need to organize relevant documentation and application materials to start the process. This could include income documentation, an SUD diagnosis, your birth certificate, previous health documentation, insurance information, and more.

Depending on the facility, you may be able to complete your application online or over the phone while others may require you to come complete the application in person.

It can be beneficial to provide a personal statement alongside your scholarship application to tell your story. In your personal statement, you can share what has led you to this moment, why you require financial assistance, what your goals in treatment are, and your commitment to your recovery.

If you are awarded a scholarship, you may be required to enroll right away and commit to a certain duration of treatment, so be sure to ask about specifics and be prepared for this outcome.

Unfortunately, there are several challenges you may face when applying for rehabilitation scholarships.

Because scholarships are based on need, you’ll face competition when applying. Funding for rehab facilities is limited as is, so many treatment centers that offer financial assistance can only offer a certain number of scholarships. If someone is in greater need than you based on their financial situation, they may be awarded the scholarship over you.

Another common challenge is limited spots. As mentioned previously, treatment centers are often limited to a certain number of scholarships. This also means that many rehab centers reach a point in the year at which all of their scholarship money is used up, which can pose issues for receiving a scholarship.

While it’s likely you’ll encounter these obstacles, try not to lose hope as there are many opportunities out there and certain steps you can take to increase your chances of receiving financial aid.

The most important thing to keep in mind is to apply for as many scholarships as possible. One caveat to this is you’ll want to make sure you’re choosing qualified treatment centers. In other words, make sure the rehab center you choose has the necessary qualifications, meets your needs, and provides evidence-based care.

Another way to increase your chances of getting a scholarship is to write a compelling personal statement to attach alongside your application. Though need is the number one factor in determining scholarship recipients, it’s helpful to show your commitment to recovery. Treatment centers want to ensure that scholarships are going to dedicated individuals who truly want to start anew, so anything you can do to demonstrate this can help.

If you cannot find a scholarship, don’t worry, there are many other ways you can receive financial assistance for your addiction treatment. These can include different payment options, government-funded programs, and nonprofit programs.

Some treatment centers offer unique payment options in addition to scholarships. These can include payment plans and sliding scale pricing. Payment plans allow you to pay installments of your treatment cost over time which can help make the cost less burdensome. Sliding scale pricing allows the cost of treatment to be adjusted based on your financial needs. This can make treatment more accessible for lower-income folks.

While rehab centers offer their own scholarships, there are also grants you can apply for as an individual. Some common ones include the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant, the Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services Block Grant, and local grants. USAGrantApplication.org is another great resource for finding addiction treatment grants.

You may also consider looking for government-funded rehab programs or nonprofit treatment programs as they often offer free or low-cost treatment. Government-funded programs are funded by grants through federal and state governments while nonprofits typically rely on fundraising, volunteers, and donations.

Accessing alcohol and drug addiction treatment can be challenging or even impossible for low-income Americans and those without health insurance. Luckily, some treatment facilities offer full or partial scholarships to help those in need receive substance abuse treatment.

If you or a loved one needs more information on treatment scholarships, feel free to give our helpline a call today.