NMPDC Medical Accessions Department

The Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP)

If you are already in or plan to attend school to be a physician, dentist, optometrist or clinical psychologist, the Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) can provide tuition assistance for up to four years of school and provide you with a monthly stipend paid directly to you. In addition, all professional school required fees and expenses, books and equipment are paid 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.

What are the financial benefits of this program?

• 100% of your educationally related tuition is paid (some non-educationally related fees may not be paid).
• Monthly stipend of $2122 to spend as you like.
• All educationally required school fees (minus meals/housing, entertainment tickets, and noneducationally related fees) are paid.  
• Reimbursement for required books, supplies, and equipment (some maximums apply).
• Active duty pay and benefits for 45 days a year.

What does it take to qualify for this program?

1. Be accepted to or enrolled in an AMA or AOA school of medicine.
2. Be accepted to or enrolled in an ADA school of dentistry.
3. Be accepted to or enrolled in an accredited Optometry school.
4. Be in your first year of didactic education for a Ph.D. or PsyD degree in clinical psychology from an APA accredited school. (Deadline for submitting an application is February of the first year.)
5. Be a U. S. citizen.
6. Be physically qualified for commission as a Navy officer.
7. Must not have reached the age of 42 at the time of entry on to active duty following completion of your education.

How will I become orientated as a Naval Officer?

To familiarize you with the Navy and prepare you for active duty, you’ll attend Officer Development School (ODS) at Newport, RI, during the first or second summer break in school. While at ODS, you’ll be paid the salary and allowances of a Navy Ensign, which will be  about $5,000 for the five week course. The Navy will pay your roundtrip travel costs from your school to Newport.
 
What is Annual Training (AT)?

For each year you are in the program, you are eligible to apply for 45 days of Annual Training (AT). While on AT, you receive active duty pay and benefits.  Your first AT period may be Officer Development School (ODS).  Your third and fourth ATs should be taken at military facilities as clerkships. Clerkships help you gain a general knowledge of the Navy Health Care System. If your school curriculum will not permit you to spend all 45 days of AT at a Navy medical facility, you may take part or all of your clerkship at your school. You’ll still receive your full pay and allowances.
 
What will my service obligation be if I am accepted into the program?

1. Serve 45 days of active duty in a Navy clerkship or under school orders during each year in the program.
2. Attend ODS prior to reporting to your first permanent duty station.
3. Serve one year of active duty in a non-training status for each year of scholarship participation (time spent in internship or the dental Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD)/General Practice Residency (GPR) does not count toward your active duty obligation), with a minimum of three years on active duty.

 
Graduate Medical Education (Internship and Residency).

Medical school scholarship students are required to apply for graduate medical education at a military training hospital in the fall of the year prior to graduation from school. If selected, you’ll be called to active duty and assigned to an accredited internship at a Navy facility. Students may request to complete residency training in a civilian program (without receiving benefits from the Navy) depending on the needs of Navy Medicine. Following completion of residency training, you’ll come on active duty and serve your active duty obligation. Assignments after internship and residency may include training in submarine or aerospace medicine, duty aboard Navy ships, with the Fleet Marine Force, or in a Navy hospital.  Dental students can apply for an AEGD/GPR or simply do a credentialing year at some of the finest duty locations in the world. Your first year of training is recognized by the ADA and is fully accredited.

When 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 a 3, 2, or 1 year scholarship. 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.  You can apply before receiving a letter of acceptance to medical or dental school, but you must have your letter of acceptance before you can begin receiving scholarship benefits.

How can you apply or learn more?

To find a medical programs recruiter near you, please go to the Navy Recruiting website located at www.navy.com. 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.  Call the number listed for OFFICER PROGRAMS.