Health Professions Scholarship Program

Scholarship Sponsored by Air Force Medical Service

Understanding the Advantages of the HPSP Program

The Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) offers a multitude of benefits to its participants. These include complete coverage of tuition and mandatory fees at any accredited medical school within the continental U.S., Hawaii, Alaska, or Puerto Rico. Additionally, the program covers the cost of textbooks and most other educational expenses.

Participants also receive an annual salary of approximately $35,000, which includes a monthly stipend of $2,870 for 10 and a half months. For the remaining 45 days, participants receive Second Lieutenant military and travel pay during their active duty tour.

Moreover, students who secure a four-year AF HPSP scholarship are eligible for a $20,000 signing bonus, a benefit that is also available to Army and Navy program participants. Students who receive a three-year scholarship can also avail of the signing bonus if they commit to a four-year term.

Eligibility for the HPSP Program

To qualify for the HPSP program, applicants must be accepted to or enrolled in a medical school accredited by either the Association of American Medical Colleges (for MD programs) or the American Osteopathic Association (for DO programs). The medical school must be located within the continental U.S., Hawaii, Alaska, or Puerto Rico.

Applicants must also be U.S. citizens and physically fit for commissioning as an Air Force officer.

Optimal Time to Apply for the HPSP Program

For those interested in four-year scholarships, it is advisable to apply in the early fall of the year preceding their medical school attendance. Students already in medical school who wish to apply for three-year scholarships should do so immediately. As scholarships are awarded on a rolling basis, applying early increases the chances of selection.

Criteria for Selection in the HPSP Program

To be considered for the program, applicants must have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.2 and a minimum MCAT score of 500, with at least 124 in each of the MCAT subsections. Applicants for three and four-year scholarships who have at least a 3.4 undergraduate GPA and an MCAT total score of 504 (with a minimum subsection score of 124 in each subsection) are automatically selected and do not need to meet a scheduled accession board.

Go to Scholarship Application