ABT: Need advice ASAP!!! Navy/Army

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So, I was just offered a Naval HSCP scholarship instead of the Naval HPSP. Not exactly what I wanted, and they want me to have an answer for them by tomorrow morning! I dont know what to do and I am hoping for some advice/thoughts.

I will be starting UoP in the fall (3year program). I am interested in the scholarship for both the financial and non-financial reasons. Having said that, if it doesn't make financial sense I am very leery of making the commitment.

Here are my concerns:

1) UoP is a 3 year program. If I dont take a scholarship this year, from what I understand there is no opportunity to reapply for the HPSP. Is this correct?


2) UoP will cost me 350-400K. The HSCP (living in San Francisco) will pay me as E6 at about 54k/year - taxes. That equals about 160k for 3 years minus taxes.
---Can someone explain to me what is taxed (and about what this works out to)? I am single w/ no dependents, etc.

---At any rate this leaves me with a lot of debt (somewhere in the ballpark of 200K). How does someone pay this back on a military salary (79ish k/year w/ 3years service)?

---I read that you can use the GI-bill in conjunction with the HSCP (with ability to apply after 90 days). Can anyone comment/confirm the reality of this? The thread I read was a couple years old.

---Is it possible/advisable to turn down the Naval HSCP scholarship at this point, and stand by for a Naval HPSP?



3) I also applied to the Army HPSP, but am waiting to hear back (my recruiter dragged ass) from the next board.
---How plausible would it be that I could still get one at this point?

---I recently read this link ( http://forums.studentdoctor.net/show...ighlight=amedd ) about brigade dentists, that basically says its possible that you may end up not even practicing much dentistry. Its the first time i've heard of such a thing. How much truth is there to this? Or maybe better phrased, what are the chances of this? I dont necessarily mind being deployed, but I dont care how much a scholarship offers, I am here to practice dentistry.

---Does anyone have a good link that could provide locations on where an Army dentist could be stationed?




If anyone has any other general advice/opinions/facts/etc that they could give, it would be much appreciated!!!!!

You're going to owe a lot of money on the HSCP - there's no doubt about that. You'll pay it back the same way most people do - making payments every month. If you're looking at a career, you could go on the PSLF program and have your remaining loans at 10 years in forgiven, otherwise you'll be paying loans off for a while, although not in the amounts that your classmates will. The HSCP is really ideal for people with families and children, or for people going to cheaper in-state public schools. That said, if you live on the cheap for a few years when you start working as a Navy dentist (and put your salary while in school mostly towards your education), you should be able to pay off a good portion of those loans.

It's a tough choice for sure, I don't envy you that. Hope it works out for you either way.

Originally Posted by dru180

1) UoP is a 3 year program. If I dont take a scholarship this year, from what I understand there is no opportunity to reapply for the HPSP. Is this correct?

I'd like to know about this too.

Originally Posted by vellnueve

You're going to owe a lot of money on the HSCP - there's no doubt about that. You'll pay it back the same way most people do - making payments every month. If you're looking at a career, you could go on the PSLF program and have your remaining loans at 10 years in forgiven, otherwise you'll be paying loans off for a while, although not in the amounts that your classmates will. The HSCP is really ideal for people with families and children, or for people going to cheaper in-state public schools. That said, if you live on the cheap for a few years when you start working as a Navy dentist (and put your salary while in school mostly towards your education), you should be able to pay off a good portion of those loans.

It's a tough choice for sure, I don't envy you that. Hope it works out for you either way.

Thanks for the reply Vellnueve. Anyone else want to chime in and expand upon my questions?

Originally Posted by dru180

Thanks for the reply Vellnueve. Anyone else want to chime in and expand upon my questions?

Unless you intend to stay in the Navy another 7 years after you graduate, I would not take it, playing simple. Although, you could consider doing a residency in the Navy, such as perio or pros, or even ompr, then I would definitely take it.

I completely agree with you when you write:

"I am interested in the scholarship for both the financial and non-financial reasons. Having said that, if it doesn't make financial sense I am very leery of making the commitment."


Also, didn't the Navy disallow using the HPSP at Pacific because it is 3 years?

Thanks all. I didn't end up taking the HSCP. It just doesn't seem like a good enough option for my situation. Plus, I can always consider Navy (and its sign-up bonus) after I graduate.

I would still like to hear comments on my questions 1 & 3 though. Thanks!

For ques #3- I think the Army has given away all 4 yr scholarships and if you are accepted you will most likely be put on the alternate list.

I know the Army has three year scholarships and I am applying for that one now. My recruiter has told me that October would be the time when they are accepting packages.

You could have used the GI bill while on the HSCP and came out with almost no debt at all. I know a few who went that route.

With the HCSP, you get paid more during your 4 year payback because you have been on active duty for the 4 years of dental school.

Do some quick math. HPSP covers tuition, books, equipment, academic fees.....HCSP + GI +

So the recruiter really just called you up and said that you have only 1 day to decide? That just doesn't seem right.

Were you able to decline the HCSP and still be considered/put on the wait list for the HPSP? I'm pretty worried now, because my recruiter called me up at the very last minute and pressured me into applying for both the HCSP and HPSP at the same time. She said I HAD to submit for both together or else I wouldn't be able to apply later for the HCSP if I changed my mind. She said I'd be considered by separate boards for each of these programs (I asked if applying for the HCSP was like shooting myself in the foot for the HPSP because they have a harder time filling the HCSP), but now I"m starting to thinking this was another one of those "lies my recruiter told me".

Originally Posted by NOLAdentist2016

So the recruiter really just called you up and said that you have only 1 day to decide? That just doesn't seem right.

Were you able to decline the HCSP and still be considered/put on the wait list for the HPSP? I'm pretty worried now, because my recruiter called me up at the very last minute and pressured me into applying for both the HCSP and HPSP at the same time. She said I HAD to submit for both together or else I wouldn't be able to apply later for the HCSP if I changed my mind. She said I'd be considered by separate boards for each of these programs (I asked if applying for the HCSP was like shooting myself in the foot for the HPSP because they have a harder time filling the HCSP), but now I"m starting to thinking this was another one of those "lies my recruiter told me".

I'm wondering about that as well.
I spoke with a Navy recruiter too. He suggested that I apply for both program HPSP , HCSP. The funny thing is that I briefly talked with a recruiter last November about HPSP. She didn't mention anything about applying for both (I ended up not applying last yr).

Can anyone answer this question for us???

Originally Posted by NOLAdentist2016

So the recruiter really just called you up and said that you have only 1 day to decide? That just doesn't seem right.

Were you able to decline the HCSP and still be considered/put on the wait list for the HPSP? I'm pretty worried now, because my recruiter called me up at the very last minute and pressured me into applying for both the HCSP and HPSP at the same time. She said I HAD to submit for both together or else I wouldn't be able to apply later for the HCSP if I changed my mind. She said I'd be considered by separate boards for each of these programs (I asked if applying for the HCSP was like shooting myself in the foot for the HPSP because they have a harder time filling the HCSP), but now I"m starting to thinking this was another one of those "lies my recruiter told me".

When did your recruiter call you and pressure you into applying for both programs? Did you make the May board or are you shooting for the June board?

Thanks

I was originally told I was on the May 25th board, but then I got a call the week after my packet was submitted. Apparently there was some delay on one form, and I had to wait for the next board. I should be up for the June 8th board.

As for the HCSP, my recruiter never actually really talked to me about this program either. The first recruiter I spoke with in last August told me "no, we don't like people to do this program (HCSP), its not as good, don't bother applying to it", since I was so early in the process and he assumed I'd get HPSP. After all my delays, recruiter #2, who was in charge of my packet, never talked to me about it at all, but called me last minute to pressure me into it. I initially declined but she said there was no harm in just having it considered, so I caved and said ok. Hoping I didn't fall for another trick!

Originally Posted by NOLAdentist2016

I was originally told I was on the May 25th board, but then I got a call the week after my packet was submitted. Apparently there was some delay on one form, and I had to wait for the next board. I should be up for the June 8th board.

As for the HCSP, my recruiter never actually really talked to me about this program either. The first recruiter I spoke with in last August told me "no, we don't like people to do this program (HCSP), its not as good, don't bother applying to it", since I was so early in the process and he assumed I'd get HPSP. After all my delays, recruiter #2, who was in charge of my packet, never talked to me about it at all, but called me last minute to pressure me into it. I initially declined but she said there was no harm in just having it considered, so I caved and said ok. Hoping I didn't fall for another trick!

when did you apply for HPSP last fall or winter? And how long does it take for them to let you know whether you are selected/rejected?

I started applying in August 2011. My application wasn't submitted until sometime in May 2012. It should be at the board soon and then I think I'll be notified soon after.

Originally Posted by TheClutch

I'm wondering about that as well.
I spoke with a Navy recruiter too. He suggested that I apply for both program HPSP , HCSP. The funny thing is that I briefly talked with a recruiter last November about HPSP. She didn't mention anything about applying for both (I ended up not applying last yr).

Can anyone answer this question for us???

I went through a similar situation. When I was wait listed for the Navy HPSP they offered me the HCSP. I had told my recruiter I wasn't interested in that program but I think they usually submit it regardless. I asked to see the paperwork so I could review it and it said I had 30 days to decide from the date of the paperwork so if your recruiter is telling you you only have 1 day they either held the paperwork for 29, or it's a pressure tactic. From the military perspective it's much more economical to get you to take the collegiate program. I think that's one reason they usually put you in for that program as well.

The Army scholarship may come through. If the Army is out of 4 year scholarships they may wait list you and offer you a 3 year scholarship at the start of their fiscal year in October which the Navy won't do.

Originally Posted by Tiankum

You could have used the GI bill while on the HSCP and came out with almost no debt at all. I know a few who went that route.

Since there might be other people who are considering this I thought it would be worthwhile to point out some key features of the GI Bill

-For the post 9/11 GI Bill you are generally reimbursed up to the highest in state, undergraduate tuition in the state where you will be attending school. If you're attending a private school this is next to nothing. There are more details and exceptions so do your homework.
-The GI Bill only covers 36 months so if you are at a 4 year school that runs year round you will run out of benefits before you graduate
-You get a monthly housing allowance based on E-5 rank with dependents. This varies based on zip code, but typically is somewhere between $1000-2500.
-You receive something like $1000 a year that can go towards books and supplies.
-You are eligible for the GI Bill after 90 days, but you will only get 40% of the benefits listed above, this gradually increases until you have been in 3 years at which point you get 100%.
-Depending on your state you may be eligible for a state version of the GI Bill that can be used in conjunction with the post 9/11. Some of these programs are also a much better deal when used for more expensive graduate programs.