I applied for the VA-HPSP Scholarship a few weeks ago and as of today, my status in the scholarship portal has changed from “Application Packet Scored” to “Pending Offer.” I hope this means that I will be offered the scholarship.
The scholarship is similar to the military HPSP in that if you are awarded, the scholarship pays 100% of your medical school tuition and fees and provides a $1142 monthly stipend (Prior to 2016, the stipend had been $2300 monthly; I am not sure if the stipend amount will revert to its prior amount). You also get a one-time payment of $1142 at the start of each academic year to purchase books and supplies. In exchange, you would have to spend six to eight weeks during the summer between your first and second year of medical school at a VA hospital in your area; this will function as a mini-clerkship where you will be given the chance to see the inner workings of the VA hospital as you rotate through the various services. Upon completion of your residency training, you would have to work for the VA for six years.
The biggest differences between the VA-HPSP and the military HPSP is that with the VA HPSP, you have a nearly unlimited ability to choose your specialty. The only specialty that one cannot choose is pediatrics and pediatric-related sub-specialties. You also have to get special permission to specialize in occupational medicine and preventative medicine. The other big difference is that you can serve at any VA hospital in the nation provided that there is an opening in your specialty.
The downside is that once you finish residency, your salary will not start at nearly as high of a level as you would in the civilian world. Most VA physician salaries start at 100K – 250K. That said, you will earn regular raises, get access to the federal retirement plan (which would be important should you decide to stay with the VA), and you won’t have the overhead that comes with running a private practice. I have heard but not yet confirmed, that the VA covers the malpractice insurance of its providers as well. So, in my estimation, it’s a pretty nice deal to come out of medical school with no major debt.
For those interested, please visit the following link (For further education and job placement details, please follow the same link and look at the appropriate tabs):
Application Process - Veterans Affairs (intelliworxit.com)
After reading the requirements, you'll see an "Apply Here" tab on the top right of the page. Click this and you'll be brought to the Applicant Registration page. Fill out the information and for the Scholarship Program section just choose HPSP from the dropdown menu (You'll see different versions of the HPSP pertaining to different health professions scholarships). When you hit submit, it'll take you to the VA Application Management System Page with a message that will read the following:
"Your account has been created in the VA Applicant Management System (VA-AMS) using the email address that you provided. The next step is to create an account with ID.me+VA. This will confirm your identity and allow you to begin using the VA-AMS system to engage with the scholarship program team. You will receive an email with the instructions to complete the next account set up with ID.me+VA. Be sure to use the same email address as you did with VA-AMS."
Check your email and you'll receive a step-by-step list of how to set up your account and continue with the application process for submission.
To apply, you need your undergraduate and/or graduate school transcripts, a resume or CV in 11 point font and not to exceed five pages, your DD-214 (if prior service military), a complete application, two letters of recommendation, one of which MUST be an academic letter and the other of which must be a supervisor or someone whom you have had a close working relationship with such as an internship supervisor, and finally, you will have to be unconditionally accepted to medical school. This is important because there is a form that the registrar and bursar have to complete that lists all of the medical school courses that you will take, which semester the course is to be taken, and the cost of the course (including fees). You do not have to be a veteran to apply but if you are a veteran, you are granted 5 points veterans preference. The scholarship can be used with the National Guard STRAP and other similar programs (including the military repayment) but it cannot be combined with the National Health Service Corps Scholarship, NHSC loan repayment, or the military HPSP. You want to take advantage of the NHSC or state assistance programs, you will have to give up your VA-HPSP or wait until you have finished your commitment to the VA.
If you have other specific questions regarding the online packet submission and detailed requirements, you may email the program coordinator, Mr. Scott Dixon, at HPSPTeam@va.gov
