Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP)

• 100% Tuition Paid
• Over $2,700 Monthly
• $20,000 Cash Bonus
• Open to Students

School Curriculum

As one of the most comprehensive scholarships available in the healthcare field, the Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) can help current and future medical students pay for an advanced medical degree.

If you are in the HPSP, your medical school experience will not be different from that of your civilian peers, but you will have unique Army courses available to you. These include specialized training that will prepare you to become an officer in the U.S. Army.

In addition, you will take the same classes as your peers, you will not need to wear a uniform to class, and you will not be pulled away from school or studies for deployments.

The Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) offers two-, three- and four-year Army scholarships to help cover civilian medical school tuition, pay fees, and provide a monthly living stipend. Compensation also includes a signing bonus under certain conditions.

For those who hope to apply for the HPSP, selection boards look at all aspects of a person's application—leadership, extracurricular activities, fitness, grades, and scores—to determine who will succeed in medical school and the Army.

Tuition + Pay

As part of the HPSP, the Army will pay your full tuition, provide a monthly stipend of over $2,700, and reimburse you for required books, equipment, and supplies. Medical and dental students are also eligible for a $20,000 cash bonus.

Once selected for the HPSP, the Army will contact your medical school and begin paying your tuition. Upon your benefit start date, you will begin accruing your monthly stipend, paid via direct deposit on the first and 15th of each month. As you purchase items for school, keep good records so you can submit expense reports.

During your 45-day annual training period, you receive the same active-duty pay and benefits as a Second Lieutenant in the Army.

Specialized Officer Training

A primary difference between you and your peers is that you will have the opportunity to attend Officer Leadership courses and participate in one annual training period per year of scholarship you receive. As part of these 45-days of specialized training, you may participate in research rotations or perform clinical rotations at Army hospitals.

Medical and Dental School Stipend Program (MDSSP)

• Army Reserve
• Over $2,700 Monthly
• Commissioned Officer
• Open to Students

The Medical and Dental School Stipend Program (MDSSP) offered by the U.S. Army Reserve is a substantial financial aid option specifically designed for college students pursuing careers in medicine and dentistry. This program plays a pivotal role in addressing the high medical and dental school tuition costs, which can reach up to $70,000 per year, particularly in private academic institutions. Students accepted into accredited medical or dental schools are eligible for MDSSP, receiving a monthly stipend exceeding $2,700. This stipend significantly eases the financial burden during their rigorous educational journey.

Participants commit to a service obligation with the U.S. Army Reserve in exchange for this financial support. The structure of this obligation is such that for every six months of receiving the stipend (or part thereof), they serve one year in the Army Reserve. Notably, this service commitment begins after they have completed their residency program, allowing them to focus entirely on their education and training in the initial years.

A distinctive aspect of the MDSSP is its integration with the civilian medical education system. While part of the Army Reserve, participants join other medical students in the civilian Match Day process, which is crucial for selecting their residency placements. Training is conducted at civilian institutions, facilitated by the National Resident Matching Program. This integration ensures a seamless transition from medical school to residency while preparing participants for a career combining medical practice with military service.

As commissioned officers in the Army Reserve, MDSSP participants have the unique opportunity to focus on their medical or dental education without the interruption of military deployments. This approach underscores the Army Reserve's commitment to supporting future medical professionals' education while ensuring their preparedness for future service.

Overall, the MDSSP offers a comprehensive support system for medical and dental students, allowing them to pursue their professional aspirations with the added benefit of serving their country through the Army Reserve.

Financial Assistance Program (FAP)

• $45,000 Annual Grant
• Over $2,700 Monthly
• Select AOCs Only
• Open to Residents

The Army Financial Assistance Program (FAP) is a comprehensive initiative offered by the U.S. Army aimed at providing financial support to physicians during their residency training. To qualify, physicians must have completed their first year of postgraduate training (PGY1) and successfully passed all three steps of the USMLE/COMLEX exams on their first attempt. In certain instances, eligibility to apply during PGY1 is possible, following guidance from the Office of the Surgeon General (OTSG), with individual cases assessed by OTSG/GME.

A key attraction of the Army FAP is the substantial financial support it offers. Participants receive an annual grant of up to $45,000, complemented by a monthly stipend of over $2,700. This financial assistance is instrumental in helping physicians offset the costs associated with their demanding residency programs. In exchange for these benefits, participants fulfill a service commitment to the Army Medical Corps. This obligation is structured as two years of active duty for the first year of FAP participation, with an additional half-year added for each subsequent half-year of program involvement, the minimum being two years.

The program allows physicians to complete civilian residency training in their chosen specialty. Upon completing their residency, they begin serving in the Army Medical Corps. This period fulfills their service obligation and provides a unique blend of professional development and the opportunity to serve in a capacity that combines medical expertise with military service. The FAP aligns with the Army's strategic need to staff its Medical Corps with highly skilled physicians in critical specialty areas, ensuring readiness to address the diverse health needs of military personnel.

The Army Financial Assistance Program offers medical professionals a unique and rewarding pathway. It eases the financial burden of medical training, provides a structured path for professional growth, and aligns with the noble objective of serving the nation through the Army Medical Corps. For those at the intersection of pursuing a career in medicine and a desire to serve in the military, the FAP presents an ideal opportunity.

Specialized Training Assistance Program (STRAP)

• Army Reserve
• Over $2,700 Monthly
• Select AOCs Only
• Open to Residents

The Army Specialized Training Assistance Program (STRAP) is a focused initiative by the United States Army designed to support physicians pursuing specialized training in designated areas of concentration. This program is specifically tailored for those enrolled in accredited residency programs, providing them with critical financial support while they complete their medical training. Through STRAP, participants receive a monthly stipend of over $2,700 to ease the financial burdens associated with residency.

STRAP participants agree to a service obligation with the Army Reserve in return for this financial assistance. This commitment entails serving one year in the Army Reserve for every six months (or a portion thereof) of the stipend received. After completing their residency programs, these physicians serve in various capacities, such as in an Army Reserve Troop Program Unit (TPU), the Army Medical Department (AMEDD) Professional Medical Command (APMC), or as Individual Mobilization Augmentees (IMA). This service fulfills their obligation and allows them to apply their newly acquired medical skills in a military setting, benefiting both their professional growth and the Army's medical capabilities.

Eligibility for STRAP is restricted to candidates who have been accepted into or are currently part of an accredited medical residency program. The eligible specialties are determined by the Army's current needs and are listed in the Select Reserve Incentive Program Memo. This targeted approach ensures that the Army Reserve is equipped with medical professionals trained in specialties where they are most needed.

Overall, the STRAP program represents a strategic alignment of medical education with military readiness. It offers a mutually beneficial arrangement where medical residents receive substantial support during their training. The Army Reserve is assured of a steady influx of skilled physicians ready to serve. This program is an attractive opportunity for medical professionals looking to advance their careers while contributing to the health and readiness of Army personnel.

Army Reserve Health Professions Loan Repayment Program (HPLRP)

• Army Reserve
• Up to $250,000
• Select AOCs Only
• $40,000 Annually

The Army Reserve Health Professions Loan Repayment Program (HPLRP) is an incentive offered to attract and retain medical professionals within the Army Reserve. This program provides significant financial support for physicians specializing in certain areas of concentration (AOCs), as specified in the Select Reserve Incentive Program Memo or the Pay Plan Memo. The HPLRP specifically targets those serving in an Army Reserve Troop Program Unit (TPU), the Army Medical Department (AMEDD) Professional Medical Command (APMC), or as an Individual Mobilization Augmentee (IMA).

For each year of satisfactory service in these roles, a maximum of $40,000 annually is applied towards education loans, with a cumulative cap of $250,000. This substantial financial aid is designed to alleviate the burden of educational debts incurred during medical training.

Participants may be eligible for another Army Reserve incentive, such as the Specialized Training Assistance Program (STRAP), to be utilized concurrently.

Active Duty Health Professions Loan Repayment Program (HPLRP)

• Active Duty
• Up to $120,000
• Select AOCs Only
• $40,000 Annually

The Active Duty Health Professions Loan Repayment Program (ADHPLRP) caters to health professionals willing to serve in active duty roles in the United States Army. This program addresses the challenge of educational loan repayment, offering up to $40,000 per year for three years to repay qualified loans.

The ADHPLRP requires a service commitment on a year-for-year basis to receive the loan repayment, with a minimum active duty obligation of two years. This commitment ensures that participants contribute their skills and expertise in essential roles, as only mission-critical Areas of Concentration (AOCs) are authorized for the ADHPLRP.

The Active Duty ADHPLRP offers a robust solution for medical professionals seeking to alleviate the financial strain of educational loans while also providing an avenue to serve and contribute to the Army's healthcare needs. This program assists individuals financially and ensures that the Army is equipped with skilled healthcare providers in crucial specialty areas.