Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program
The Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program is a scholarship program designed to provide financial incentives for students to attend a school to be a physician, dentist, optometrist or clinical psychologist to ultimately receive an appointment as an officer in the United States Navy.
Information obtained from the Armed Forces HPSP Program Authorization 130 signed, July 3, 2019. See an Officer Recruiter for further details.
HPSP Qualifications
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. See your recruiter for details.
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. Candidates must meet the physical fitness weight and/or percentage of body fat standards at the time of application and at time of commissioning.
HPSP Education Requirements
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. During program participation, selectee must maintain status as a full-time student.
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. Failure to disclose complete academic transcripts or evidence of tampering in any way will result in disenrollment.
Medical Corps (MC)
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. During program participation, the officer must maintain status as a full-time student.
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. Failure to pass these examinations after two attempts or failure to obtain a valid state license following completion of internship will result in redesignation and completion of incurred active duty service obligation in another community or separation from the U.S. Navy and recoupment of Navy expenditures according to the terms and provisions of the service agreement and applicable Navy regulations.
Dental Corps (DC)
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. Failure to obtain a valid state license within 1 year of reporting to active duty will result in redesignation and completion of incurred active-duty service obligation in another community or separation from the U.S. 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.
Medical Service Corps (MSC)
The Medical Service Corps (MSC) uses this program specific to specialty:
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. Failure to pass the PANCE examination after two attempts will result in separation from the U.S. Navy and recoupment of Navy expenditures according to the terms and provisions of the service agreement and applicable Navy regulations.
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. Optometrists must obtain their license within I year of entering active duty.
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. Failure to obtain a valid state license within 1 year of reporting to active duty will result in redesignation and completion of incurred active duty service obligation in another community or separation from the U.S. Navy and recoupment of Navy expenditures according to the terms and provisions of the service agreement and applicable Navy regulations.
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. Failure to obtain a valid state license within 18 months of internship completion will result in redesignation and completion of incurred active-duty service obligation in another community or separation from the U.S. Navy and recoupment of Navy expenditures according to the terms and provisions of the service agreement and applicable Navy regulations.
Nurse Corps (NC)
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. Online degree programs for direct entry MSN are not currently allowed under this program authorization.
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. The NCLEX-RN examination must be taken at the first opportunity following graduation and prior to reporting for active duty.
HPSP Service Obligation
Training
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.
Active Duty
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. Members not qualified for reappointment will be processed for administrative separation under SECNA VINST 1920.6C (Administrative Separation of Officers).
- Acknowledge they are aware of license and certification requirements. The expense of maintaining a license to practice is the responsibility of the officer.
- Acknowledge they are aware that they will be called to active duty immediately upon completion of course requirements.
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.
