The Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) offers scholarships through the US Army, Navy, and Air Force. The one-, two-, three-, and four-year scholarships cover all direct educational costs (e.g., tuition, fees, books, health insurance) and provide a stipend of approximately $1,185 per month for ten and one-half months per year. In return, there is a service commitment of one year of active duty service for each year of participation in the program, with a three-year minimum.

During the in-school period, HPSP recipients are commissioned as reserve officers and must maintain satisfactory academic standing. While there is no obligation to participate in reserve activities during this time, recipients are required to attend a 45-day Active Duty Training (ADT) each year designed for medical students at military hospitals and medical centers. During the 45-day tour, students are paid as commissioned officers.

HPSP participants are required to apply for the military's First Year Graduate Medical Education Programs (FYGME-internship) and, if selected, must participate. Students not selected may have the option of completing one year or the entire residency in a civilian program. Occasionally, waivers are granted to allow students to complete the entire residency in a civilian program.

For more information regarding the HPSP, contact the following recruiters:

United State Air Force

Staff Sergeant Paul M Seippel
US Air Force Recruiter
USAF Recruiting Office
One Home Loan PLaza, Suite #5
Warwick RI 02886
(401) 738-3527; FAX (401) 738-1869
Web Site www.airforce.com

United States Army

SFC Errol S Isaac
Army Medical Detachment
495 Summer Street
Barnes Building, Room #112
Boston MA 02210-2182
(617) 753-3015/4834; FAX (617) 753-4836
Web Site www.goarmy.com

United States Navy

Lt Darnell Hunt
Medical Programs
10306 NW Prairie View Road
Kansas City MO 64153-1350
(816) 880-1134
e- mail Lt Darnell Hunt

The National Health Serive Corps (NHSC) Scholarship Program

The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Scholarship Program, funded by the Department of Health and Human Services, covers tuition and fees, and provides a monthly stipend ($874/month in 2002-2003) and an annual allowance for other reasonable expenses in exchange for service in a federally-designed physician shortage area in the United States, usually a rural area. Recipients incur one year of service for each year of full or partial funding, with a two-year minimum. Prior NHSC scholarship recipients are given priority consideration. In addition, priority for selection is given to applicants who are committed to primary care specialties such as family practice, general internal medicine, pediatrics, and obstetrics-gynecology. NHSC scholarship recipients are required to pay federal taxes on the entire amount of the scholarship.

For the 2000-2001 year, roughly 2,000 applicants competed for 350 scholarship awards, not including renewals. The application deadline for the 2002-2003 year was in March. Applications will be available in the Admissions and Financial Aid Ofice in mid-February. The office also keeps a list of current and former NHSC recipients who would be happy to share their experience in the program. Additional information regarding the NHSC Scholarship Program may be obtained by calling or writing to:

NHSC Scholarship Program
4350 East West Highway, 10th floor
Bethesda MD 20814
(800) 638-0824
Web Site www.bhpr.hrsa.gov