NEW HANOVER COUNTY — Applications are open in New Hanover County for a fellows program that offers financial assistance to graduate-level psychiatric nurse practitioner or mental health provider students.
Interested parties can apply through June 30 for the county’s Mental Health Fellows Program; students must be enrolled at North Carolina-accredited universities or colleges. The programming provides tuition reimbursement to those pursuing careers in the mental health filed and decide to work in New Hanover County after graduation and licensure. They will be required to work with underserved populations, according to a county release.
“Through our previous five cohorts, we’ve been able to help further the educational journey of 44 students while bringing licensed practitioners and providers into the community,” Chief Civic Engagement Officer Linda Thompson said in a statement.
The program launched from $50 million in the county’s Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Fund, which was created from the sale of New Hanover Regional Medical Center to Novant Health.
Reimbursements are offered to both full-time and part-time students who apply. For full-time psychiatric nurse practitioners, $4,500 is given per semester, with a maximum award of $36,000 during their educational career. They must stay in New Hanover County to work post-graduation for at least three years.
Students in mental health studies will be given $3,500 per semester, with a maximum award of $14,000. They have to stay in New Hanover County to serve a minimum of two years.
Additionally, part-timers who apply for the program will receive a prorated amount of $2,500 per semester for mental health providers and $3,500 for psychiatric nurse practitioners.
“We are grateful for the continued partnership of our in-state institutions to make this program a reality,” Thompson added. “We are excited to support the educational aspirations of deserving students while continuing to build mental health resources for the residents of New Hanover County.”
Selected applicants will be notified in mid-July if their applications are accepted and initial funding distribution will take place in August 2026. The funding is renewable each semester with proof of satisfactory academic performance and more can be accessed here.
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