Army Medical Scholarships and Financial Aid Options

Let us help you so you can help others. Whether you’re already in the Army or you want to serve, we have scholarships and financial aid options to support your pursuit of medical school and joining the Army Medical team. Find options to reach your dreams.

Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP)

The Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) is one of the most comprehensive scholarships available in health care, covering your full tuition for an advanced medical degree. The Army awards approximately 275 of these medical scholarships each year. It covers the following fields: Medical (including Osteopathy), Dental, Veterinary, Nursing, Counseling and Clinical Psychology, and Optometry.

Benefits and Details

• Get full medical school tuition for up to 4 years: Funding for books, equipment, and other school fees is included.
• Monthly stipend: Recieve a monthly stipend of $2,800+.
• Sign-on bonus: Up to a $20,000 sign-on bonus for medical and dental roles, plus Officer’s pay for 45 days while on active duty for training.
• Salary increases: Pay increases with promotions, time in service, and cost-of-living adjustments.

Requirements to Join

There are certain requirements to apply for HPSP Scholarships. See what they are and if you’re eligible:

• Be a U.S. citizen by the time you commission as an Officer.
• Be in progress or have completed a bachelor’s degree from an accredited school.
• Be enrolled full time in or have applied to an accredited professional school in the United States or Puerto Rico.
• Have full-time student status during the length of the program.

Specialized Training and Financial Assistance

Get a monthly stipend while in residency with the Specialized Training Assistance Program (STRAP), in exchange for serving in the Army Reserve. This is available for Medical, Dental, and Nursing fields with a monthly stipend of $2,728.

The Financial Assistance Program (FAP) provides yearly grants and monthly stipends to applicants in Medical and Counseling and Clinical Psychology fields. Details include a monthly stipend of $2,608 and an annual grant of up to $45K. To receive these benefits, you must commit to serve active duty in the Army after finishing your education.

Health Professions Loan Repayment Program

If you took out loans to pay for your health care education, the Army could pay them back as part of the Health Professions Loan Repayment Program. You may receive up to $250,000 in repayment of a qualifying loan, paid back to the lending institution, depending on the medical specialty and Army status. Applicants must have active-duty or Army Reserve status in the Army, depending on specialty.

Summary of Financial Support

Below is a summary of the financial aid options available based on the program details:

• HPSP: Full tuition plus monthly stipend of $2,800+ and $20,000 bonus.
• STRAP: Monthly stipend of $2,728 for Army Reserve members.
• FAP: Annual grant of up to $45K and monthly stipend of $2,608.
• Loan Repayment: Up to $250,000 in repayment of qualifying loans.

Success Story: From Special Forces to Medical School

Soldier goes from Special Forces to medical school with help from Army scholarship. Sgt. 1st Class Philip Nordstrom has been selected to be a part of The F. Edward Hébert Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program. Nordstrom will receive full tuition for four years and a generous monthly stipend.

"I had decided that I was going to go to medical school no matter what, but I prefer to do it with the Army," Nordstrom said. "I want to continue my military career in this direction."

Nordstrom's circumstance is unique. Most of the HPSP recipients are newly graduated students, Reserve Soldiers, or Guardsmen -- not active-duty Soldiers. He obtained his baccalaureate degree while working a 9 to 5 full-time, active-duty job in the Army and attending a combination of online and classroom courses. Prior to applying for the HPSP, Nordstrom was accepted to medical school, which he described as the first box to check.

Steps to Apply

1. Reach out to an U.S. Army medical or local recruiter to schedule a preliminary interview.
2. Learn about joining the U.S. Army health care team and the HPSP application process.
3. Start the HPSP process while you are applying for medical school.