Navy Health Professions Scholarship Program: Requirements and Benefits

The Navy Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) offers a pathway for aspiring medical professionals to serve their country while receiving financial support for their education. This program is designed for individuals pursuing careers as physicians, dentists, optometrists, physician assistants, or clinical psychologists.

Overview of the HPSP

If you are already in or plan to attend school to be a physician, dentist, optometrist, physician assistant or clinical psychologist, the Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) will pay your educationally based tuition and fees for up to four years of school and provide a monthly stipend paid directly to you. In addition, all professional school required books and equipment are reimbursed by the Navy. The value of this program could be well over $300,000 during the course of a four year professional school program. After graduation, you’ll join the Navy’s active duty team as a commissioned officer.

The Military is looking for individuals seeking medical careers that will take their skills above and beyond the expected. Every day these driven individuals distinguish themselves mentally and physically, and work toward a cause that is greater than themselves.

Financial Benefits

The HPSP offers substantial financial benefits, including:

Tuition and Fees: The program covers 100% of educationally required tuition and fees.
Monthly Stipend: A monthly stipend of $2,178.90 is provided to cover living expenses.
Reimbursement: Full reimbursement for required books, supplies, and equipment.
Signing Bonus: A $20,000 signing bonus is offered for those receiving a four-year scholarship.

Additional Benefits

Beyond financial assistance, HPSP participants receive:

Read also: Comprehensive Guide to Navy HPSP

Active Duty Status: Active duty status as an Officer Candidate First Class (OCPO1)/E-6.
Military Salary: A monthly military salary ranging from $3280 to $5610* while attending school.
Health-Care Benefits: A comprehensive health-care benefits package.
Retirement Credit: Time in this program counts towards retirement.
Vacation Time: Earn vacation while in this program.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the Navy HPSP, applicants must meet several general, age, academic, and medical requirements.

General Requirements

The Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program is open to male and female applicants who are citizens of the United States. Applicants must be commissioned before their 42nd birthday. Age waivers may be considered on a case by case basis. In line with the Manual of the Medical Department, Chapter 15 and as detailed in DoD Instruction 6130.03 of May 6, 2018, Medical Standards for Appointment, Enlistment, Or Induction in the Military Services.

Regardless of your age, you must have a physical to indicate that you are healthy enough to serve in case you are deployed. Review this resource to learn which medical conditions may disqualify a prospective applicant. Where you take your physical depends on the program you want to enter. Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) applicants will take a physical at a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) near them, and Uniformed Services University of the Health Services (USU) applicants will take their physicals through the Department of War Medical Examination Review Board. You are also required to pass a security investigation and demonstrate the high moral standards expected of a physician and a military officer. The Military screens for certain conditions that may be incompatible with a military medical practice. Waivers for certain health-related issues are available on a case-by-case basis. Depending on the program, you may want to apply early to give the Services enough time to process your waiver.

Age Requirements

To join the Military, you have to be at least 18 years old (17 with parental consent), or granted a waiver. citizen in order to apply. residents may become commissioned officers. citizens. Applicants must be commissioned before their 42nd birthday. Age waivers may be considered on a case by case basis.

Prior Service and Military Commitments

Those with prior service or prior military commitments can apply to be military medical students, residents or physicians, although some individuals may need to fill out extra applications. For example, Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) cadets must be approved for an educational delay because of their existing military commitments before they apply to HPSP or USU. Likewise, cadets and midshipmen in Service academies and ROTC must be approved by their respective Service before accepting admission to medical school. If you are an active-duty service member, you must receive permission from your Personnel Command to leave your current assignment and apply to medical school and scholarship programs. In that case, any preexisting service obligation for your military education and training will be added to any obligation related to your participation in a medical scholarship program.

Read also: Naval Community College

Test Requirements

Although test scores are just one of the indicators, in general an applicant for the HPSP should have a 3.2 GPA and a minimum MCAT score of 500. USU applicants should have a minimum GPA of 3.0 (which can include undergraduate, graduate, or postbaccalaureate undergraduate coursework) and an MCAT score of at least 496 or higher. A competitive applicant should have a GPA of at least 3.6 and an MCAT score between 506 and 509. MCAT scores below 496 are not accepted at USU; however, waivers are possible on a case-by-case basis for the HPSP depending on the specific needs of each Service branch. The Military also evaluates and considers prior military service, preclinical work experience, volunteer service, research experience, and leadership potential during the selection process. For Medical Corps (MC) Only: For completed undergraduate course work, a GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale must have been maintained. Applicants must have a minimum Medical College Admission Test (MCA T) score of 500 with minimum subsection scores of 124 in each of the four subsections. Waivers will be considered on a case by case basis -- see your recruiter for details.

Academic Requirements

Applicants must have been awarded a baccalaureate degree from an accredited academic institution in the United States, Puerto Rico, or Canada by June 1 of the year of desired attendance. Applicant must be accepted for admission to, or enrolled in an accredited institution in the United States or Puerto Rico and in a course of study for a designated health profession. For completed undergraduate course work, a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale must have been attained. Educational progress will be monitored by the program manager, Bureau of Navy Medicine (BUMED), Navy Medicine Accessions Department and Total Force Directorate (Ml). A curriculum plan that demonstrates course requirements and projected completion date will be submitted with the application and updated as directed by BUMED M1. Participants may be disenrolled from the program by Chief of Navy Personnel (Navy Personnel Command, Reserve Personnel Management (PERS-9)/BUMED M1) if they fail to maintain school or military standards. Official transcripts may be required for submission to BUMED M1 upon completion of each school term.

Generally, applicants must have completed certain coursework, examples of which include:

One academic year of general or inorganic chemistry with lab
One academic year of physics with lab
One academic year of organic chemistry with lab or one semester of organic chemistry with lab and one semester of biochemistry
One academic year of biology with lab
One academic year of writing-intensive humanities, languages, social sciences or psychology
One semester of calculus or statistics

Degree and Licensing Requirements

HPSP and USU require all applicants to have baccalaureate degrees from accredited programs in the United States, Canada or Puerto Rico. For the HPSP application to be final, applicants must be accepted to, or enrolled, in an accredited physician of medicine (M.D.) or physician of osteopathic medicine (D.O.) degree program in the United States or Puerto Rico. If you hope to enter the Military as a full physician, you must have a degree from an accredited M.D. or D.O. program from the United States or Puerto Rico. Accreditation must come from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education or the American Osteopathic Association. Physicians with degrees from foreign medical schools must also:

Pass either the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination in the Medical Sciences or hold an Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates certification
Be certified by the American Board of Medical Specialties
Complete internship in the United States, Canada or Puerto Rico
Have an unrestricted license to practice in the United States and its territories
Be currently engaged in a clinical practice

Finally, physicians need to have completed one year of graduate medical education, must have a valid state license issued by a state, territory or commonwealth of the United States or the District of Columbia, and should be board certified or board eligible.

Specific Requirements for Different Medical Fields

The HPSP has specific requirements for different medical fields, including physician assistants, optometrists, podiatrists, clinical psychologists and nurses.

Physician Assistants

For physician assistants, applicants must be enrolled in or accepted for transfer to an accredited college, university or school of study for a Master's Degree in Physician Assistant studies. Applicants must be enrolled in a program accredited through the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (see www.arc-pa.org). Degree requirements must be completed within 12 to 24 months after enrollment to accommodate the standard 2-year program. The benefit can be extended up to 30 months to accommodate those academic programs requiring 30 months to complete. Determination of a 30-month contract will be made prior to the applicant's entry into the program by the professional review board. Applicants must have an approved degree or course of study completion plan prior to enrollment in order to determine the projected graduation or completion date. Applicants must pass the Physician Assistant National Certification Exam (PAN CE) at the completion of their program prior to superseding to active duty. Navy and recoupment of Navy expenditures according to the terms and provisions of the service agreement and applicable Navy regulations.

Optometry

Optometry applicants must be enrolled in an optometry program that is accredited by the Council on Optometric Education of the American Optometric Association. Participants must be eligible to be licensed by passing parts I, II, and III of the National Board of Examiners in Optometry prior to superseding to active duty.

Podiatry

Podiatry applicants must be enrolled in a program accredited by the Council on Education of the American Podiatry Association. Applicants must complete part I of the examination before the beginning of the 3rd-year academic curriculum and provide results to the AFHPSP program manager's office by 15 September of the 3rd-year academic curriculum. Part II of the examination must be taken and passed by 15 October of the 4th-year. Failure to pass these examinations after two attempts may result in separation from the program. Navy and recoupment of Navy expenditures according to the terms and provisions of the service agreement and applicable Navy regulations.

Clinical Psychology

Clinical psychology applicants must be enrolled in a doctoral program (Ph.D. or PsyD) in clinical or counseling psychology that is accredited by the American Psychological Association and must have successfully completed at least 1 year of the program. Applicants must submit a letter from their training director certifying that they are in good standing in their doctoral program and graduate school transcripts for review by the clinical psychology specialty leader in order to be considered for a scholarship. Failure to submit transcripts or failure to advance in the clinical training program may result in separation from the program. Applicants are required to enroll in the Navy's internship program following completion of their doctoral program. Applicants are required to become licensed within 18 months following completion of their 12-month internship.

Nursing

The Nurse Corps (NC) uses this program for graduate level nursing programs. Direct entry masters of science in nursing (MSN) degrees i.e., students with a non-nursing bachelor's degree wishing to pursue a nursing degree are eligible. The program will be completed within 24 months from the start of the program. Applicants must be enrolled full-time in or accepted for transfer to a college or university and its nursing school, which confers a graduate degree in nursing accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing or Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Upon graduation direct entry MSN students must obtain and maintain a valid unrestricted license to practice as a professional registered nurse from a state, territory or the District of Columbia based on the National Council Licensing Examination - Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN), provided by the National Council of State Board of Nursing.

Additionally, the Nurse Candidate Program (NCP) is a financial assistance program for students enrolled in a baccalaureate nursing program. Benefits: $34,000 total incentive while attending school. Must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above to apply. Must complete studies/training as full time students attending all normal school sessions (2 semesters or 3 quarters), and must maintain a GPA of above 3.0 after selection.

Examination Requirements

For MC only: Applicants must take and pass the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) parts I, IICK and IICS or the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX) levels I, II CE and II PE prior to graduating and superseding to active duty. USMLE or COMLEX Part I of the examination must be completed before the beginning of the 3rd-year of the academic curriculum of medical/osteopathic school. For Dental Corps (DC) only: Applicants must take and pass Parts I and II of the National Board Dental Exam (NBDE) prior to graduating and superseding to active duty. NBDE part I must be taken at the beginning of the 3rd-year academic curriculum of dental school. Applicants must take part II of the NBDE in December during the 4th-year academic curriculum. Failure to pass these examinations after two attempts may result in separation from the program. Navy and recoupment of Navy expenditures according to the terms and provisions of the service agreement and applicable Navy regulations. Applicants from states that require a 5th-year (PGY-1) of training prior to licensure will be allowed an additional 6 months to obtain their license.

Service Obligation

HPSP: Scholarship recipients incur an Active Duty Obligation (ADO) of one year for each year in the program. For periods less than a year, the ADO is six months for each additional six months of participation in the program. Periods of 15 days or more are counted as a 6-month period. The obligation is served in addition to any existing active duty obligation. FAP: Scholarship recipients incur a minimum Active Duty Service Obligation (ADSO) of two (2) years or one-half year for each half year (or portion thereof) of AFHPFAP sponsorship, whichever is greater. Examples: For 1-year of AFHPFAP sponsorship, you will incur a 2-year educational ADSO. For 2-years of AFHPFAP sponsorship, you will incur a 2-year educational ADSO. For 2-years and 3-months of AFHPFAP sponsorship, you will incur a 2-year and 6-month educational ADSO. For 2-years and 9-months of AFHPFAP sponsorship, you will incur a 3-year educational ADSO. For 3-years of AFHPFAP sponsorship, you will incur a 3-year educational ADSO.

Members of AFHPSP must serve on active-duty for a period of 45 days each year while in a student status. Pay and allowances during the 45 days active duty training period will be in the grade of 0-1 unless current law directs otherwise. Longevity for previous military service is creditable for pay purposes. Uniforms must be worn during periods of active duty served at a military facility. Computation of obligation is based upon OPNAVINST 1520.39A which states that appointees incur 1 year for each year in the program. For periods of less than a year, 6 months is added for each additional 6 months of participation. Periods of 15 days or more will be counted as a 6 month period. Appointees who incur an active duty obligation of less than 3 years will be required to serve a 3 year minimum term of active-duty service. Obligated service incurred under this program is in addition to any other unfulfilled active-duty service obligation. Total service obligation is 8 years. Time not served on active duty will be served in the Selected Reserves or Inactive Ready Reserves component. Members will be required to sign a written agreement that stipulates they will:

Accept an appointment, if tendered, in the appropriate officer corps, USNR, on the active-duty list upon completion of the AFHPSP.
Agree to serve any active duty obligation incurred as a result of participation in the AFHPSP, or any portion thereof;
Agree to complete any active-duty obligation as a result of voluntary withdrawal or deficiency in conduct or studies through appointment, if tendered, as a commissioned officer, unrestricted line, USN on the active duty list. If not qualified for reappointment, the member will be required to reimburse the government for all costs incurred as a result of participation in the AFHPSP. The Secretary of the Navy may waive this requirement when such a waiver is in the best interest of the government.
Acknowledge they are aware of license and certification requirements. The expense of maintaining a license to practice is the responsibility of the officer.

Additional Expectations

The student’s #1 priority while enrolled in the HPSP program is to dedicate themselves to their studies.
Students are placed on ADT orders for 45 days for each year of participation. During that 45-day period, the students may attend training programs that last from 2-5 weeks in length (e.g.
Students are expected to meet Air Force Fitness Standards while on active duty.

Payments and Tuition

Tuition and authorized fees for each member of the program will be paid by contracts with the educational institutions. Contracts will be administered by BUMED M1. Members will be eligible for reimbursement for costs incurred for required textbooks, equipment and supplies. Dated, itemized purchase receipts and certification by the educational institution are required for all requests for reimbursement. Reimbursement will be limited to expenses normally incurred by students at the same institution who are not members of the program. State and local taxes will not be reimbursed. Members will be paid a monthly stipend while on inactive duty at the rate specified annually by the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs) (ASD (HA)). Initiation of the monthly stipend will begin on the later of three following dates also known as the benefit start date (BSD): the date the member signs the oath of office, the date the member signs the program agreement/contract and the start date of the academic year. Members who become eligible for program benefits during an academic session will be eligible for full term tuition. The BSD determines the start date of the stipend. Payment of the stipend will continue until the date of graduation unless the member is suspended or disenrolled from the designated course of study. Payment of the stipend will be terminated upon completion of the academic program when that date precedes graduation by more than 45 days. Receipt of the stipend does not preclude acceptance of payment from the civilian education/training institution, as long as the member does not incur any service obligation following graduation for the payment(s). Pay and allowances of a Navy Ensign (pay grade 0-1) will be paid for periods when the officer is on active duty for training unless current law directs otherwise. Longevity for previous military service is creditable for pay purposes.

How to Apply

The best time to apply for a four year scholarship is the Fall before the year you plan to attend professional school. Students already in medical, dental, or optometry school should apply as soon as possible for available scholarships. Scholarships are awarded on a rolling basis. The application takes about 12 - 16 weeks to complete. Applications are accepted throughout the year at any time.

To start the application process, it is recommended to contact a recruiter. There you will find a link to "Find a Recruiter" located on the right side of the page under the heading “Request Information.” Click on that, and once you get to that page, enter your zip code under the heading “Locate a Recruiter.” provide the zip code where you will be located at the time you would like to speak and work with a recruiter, then hit “Find.” The site will give you two possibilities for a recruiter. Information obtained from the Armed Forces HPSP Program Authorization 130 signed, July 3, 2019.

Benefits of Serving as a Navy Physician

Great patient populations!
The ability to provide total care.
Quality colleagues.
Travel opportunities. Air Force physicians can be stationed at military clinics and hospitals all over the world and deploy in support of military operations.
Potential for zero debt and better pay! Not only does a HPSP scholarship cover all tuition, books, fees, it also provides a generous monthly stipend.
Opportunity to be a leader and make a difference.

tags: #navy #health #professions #scholarship #program #requirements