Applications Open for $3 Million Bridge Pilot to Support Short-Term Healthcare Credentials
Published: October 1, 2026
Funding will support three NC Community Colleges to launch first-of-its-kind supports for short-term healthcare credential seeking students.
The North Carolina Community Colleges Foundation, in partnership with AmeriHealth Caritas North Carolina and the NC Community College System Office, is launching the Bridge pilot to help more North Carolina community college students overcome financial barriers and earn short-term healthcare credentials that can lead to in-demand careers.
The Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Bridge pilot opens October 1, 2026, and closes November 18, 2026. North Carolina community colleges interested in participating are encouraged to review the RFP and prepare their applications ahead of the deadline.
EXPANDING THE BOOST MODEL TO SHORT-TERM CREDENTIALS
The Bridge pilot is the first adaptation of the North Carolina Community College System’s Boost model to students pursuing short-term, workforce-focused credentials rather than traditional degree programs.
Through the pilot, participating colleges will provide students with the same types of wraparound support that have helped Boost students stay enrolled and make progress toward their educational and career goals – including financial assistance and proactive success coaching.
AmeriHealth Caritas North Carolina’s $3 million community investment will support up to 1,000 students over two years as they pursue short-term healthcare credentials in critical roles such as:
- Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA I and II)
- Medication Aide, Medical Assistant (CE Pathway)
- Phlebotomy Technician
- EKG Technician
- Pharmacy Technician (CE pathway)
- Patient Care Tech
- Home Health/Patient Care Aide/Direct Support Professional
- Dental Assistant I
- Behavioral Health Tech, EMT (CE pathway).
By adapting the Boost framework to short-term credentials, the Bridge pilot aims to address the unique financial and logistical barriers that can prevent students from completing workforce training and entering high-demand healthcare careers.
“This community investment will help students overcome financial barriers that can derail their journey to a meaningful career in service to their communities,” said Heidi Chan, Market President for AmeriHealth Caritas North Carolina. “We aren’t just paying for tuition and materials. We are helping to cover the life expenses that could derail a student’s path to graduation and the high-demand, high-earning potential job that waits for them.”
INVESTING IN NORTH CAROLINA’S HEALTHCARE WORKFORCE
The Bridge pilot comes at a critical time for North Carolina’s healthcare workforce. The state is projected to face a shortfall of nearly 12,500 registered nurses by 2033, while approximately 9,070 CNA positions go unfilled each year.
By helping students complete short-term healthcare training, the Bridge pilot will support both individual students and the communities that depend on a strong, skilled healthcare workforce. The Bridge pilot RFP will be available beginning October 1, 2026 on the System Office’s Competitive Funding Opportunity webpage.
Key dates:
- October 1, 2026: RFP opens
- November 18, 2026: Applications due
- December 16, 2026: Colleges notified
Community colleges interested in participating are encouraged to review the full RFP and begin preparing their applications now.
The Bridge pilot represents an important next step in the evolution of Boost – bringing proven wraparound support to more students and creating new pathways into the healthcare careers North Carolina communities need most.
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About the North Carolina Community College System
The North Carolina Community College System (NC Community Colleges or System) is the engine for workforce development in North Carolina and the only public entity dedicated to providing affordable college access to anyone in the state. The System is governed by the NC State Board of Community Colleges with administration from the NC Community College System Office, and support from the NC Community Colleges Foundation, and is powered by the 58 community colleges and their respective foundations. Together, the System serves 600,000 students and awards more than 60,000 degrees, diplomas, and certificates annually. For more information, visit https://www.nccommunitycolleges.edu/
About AmeriHealth Caritas North Carolina
AmeriHealth Caritas North Carolina is a prepaid health plan that offers a standard benefit plan to North Carolina Medicaid beneficiaries. AmeriHealth Caritas North Carolina helps North Carolinians get care, stay well, and build healthy communities by addressing the acute and broader social factors that drive health outcomes. In addition to managing medical and behavioral health for its members, AmeriHealth Caritas North Carolina operates Wellness & Opportunity Centers in Asheville, Charlotte, Greensboro, Fayetteville and Greenville, offering wellness and educational opportunities for the community. Its Mobile Wellness & Opportunity Center serves Raleigh/Durham and the greater Triangle area and is also available for events and programming across the state. For more information, visit https://www.amerihealthcaritasnc.com/