Understanding the Caring Gene® Program Timeline
The Caring Gene® Career Pathways Training (CPT) Program connects people to a career in care—and at a time when the need for compassionate, empathetic professionals has never been greater. Whether you’re stepping into healthcare for the first time or looking to grow in your current role, understanding the program timeline is key to making the most of this opportunity.
What are the key dates to be aware of?
At first glance, choosing a career pathway may seem like the biggest hurtle to acceptance into the Caring Gene® Program—and it’s certainly significant. Every participant must consider their personal responsibilities, family obligations, and ongoing work schedule to determine what’s best for their unique situation.
But the most important consideration must be whether you can complete the CPT Program on time, which means:
- You have to finish all education requirements by spring 2027.
- You have to finish your three-year service commitment by March 31, 2031.
The full timeline covers both your education and your service commitment, including earning relevant certifications and/or passing licensure exams.
If you do not complete these requirements, you’ll be on the hook for repaying the funds. And we want to make sure that absolutely does not happen.
Why the tight timeline?
The timeline of the program, funded by Medicaid, underscores the urgency: There are a number of high-need vacancies in healthcare, behavioral health, and social care fields throughout New York State, and they need to be filled as soon as possible.
And while we’ll admit to being a bit biased, we genuinely believe this is a rare chance to step into a life-changing career opportunity.
Yes, the Caring Gene® Program covers tuition and books, but we also offer so much more, including:
- A dedicated case manager who’s with you from day one.
- Job placement support to help you land the perfect role.
- Connections to community resources that may help with things like childcare.
- Tutors while you’re in school, and mentors once you get into the workplace.
In other words, you’re not doing this alone. The timeline is tight, but we’ve worked hard to build a program that’ll support you every step of the way.
That said, it’s critical to sync an educational program at a partner institution with the CPT Program deadlines. Remember: No matter which pathway you choose, you must complete all training requirements by spring 2027, followed by the service commitment.
And please note: If you started school before January 2025, or are transferring institutions or re-entering the same program—switching to a different nursing school, for example, or restarting your nursing education after a break—you are not eligible for funding through the Caring Gene® Program.
TL;DR: Is the CPT Program right for you?
As you’re thinking about applying for funding through the Caring Gene® Program, ask yourself these questions:
Which of the 13 titles am I interested in?
Review titles eligible for tuition coverage through the Caring Gene® Program. Each pathway page includes some information about what it’s like to work in that field, as well as a list of schools offering relevant training.
Are there certain pre-requisites I’ll need to have before applying to an educational program in that title?
We answer these and other questions in our FAQs, but when you’re considering the timeline, know that CPT Program funding does not cover pre-reqs. The Caring Gene® only pays tuition once you’ve been accepted into one of the eligible programs, and pre-reqs are often required before official acceptance.
Can I realistically finish my education by spring 2027 and do the three-year service commitment?
We want you to dream big—and we’re here to help. But you have to be realistic, too, and with this timeline, some advanced roles will not be an option if you don’t already have a degree.
If you’re fully aware of the timeline and are willing to adhere to the other program requirements, we absolutely encourage you to submit an application. This is a great opportunity to kickstart or advance your career—and, ideally, find your true calling with the support of the entire Caring Gene® community!