ABT: When applying for HPSP can you specify either 3 or 4 years or even both?

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When you apply for the HPSP scholarship, can you specify whether or not you want the 3 year or 4 year HPSP? Or are the 3 year ones only for D1 students? If I get accepted for a 4 year HPSP, can I tell them I want the 3 year one instead, or would I have to reapply after I am a D1? Would it hurt my chances to get a 3 year HPSP if I had previously withdrawn my application for accepting a 4 year HPSP? Also, do all branches have a 3 year HPSP, or is it only some branches?

I've been leaning towards maybe taking a 3 year HPSP, since that would be less time serving back in active duty. Even though I might be taking out loans for my first year of dental school, I'm sure the pay during my 3 years of active duty will be more than enough to pay them all back fully and still give me some breathing room for savings.

But in any case, should I even bother starting to begin filling out any HPSP paperwork, since right now the only ones that would be applying would most likely be for the 4 year HPSP? Thank you for all the help and advice thus far, this forum has been invaluable in helping me make my decisions for the future.

The number of 3-year HPSPs is always lower than the number of 4-year HPSPs and some years they may not have 3-year HPSPs. Do so at your own risk. In the current economic climate the military is not having problems filling their HPSP quotas and they prefer to have 4-year commitments.

Originally Posted by vellnueve

The number of 3-year HPSPs is always lower than the number of 4-year HPSPs and some years they may not have 3-year HPSPs. Do so at your own risk. In the current economic climate the military is not having problems filling their HPSP quotas and they prefer to have 4-year commitments.

Concur.

Originally Posted by SexyMariGal

When you apply for the HPSP scholarship, can you specify whether or not you want the 3 year or 4 year HPSP? Or are the 3 year ones only for D1 students? If I get accepted for a 4 year HPSP, can I tell them I want the 3 year one instead, or would I have to reapply after I am a D1? Would it hurt my chances to get a 3 year HPSP if I had previously withdrawn my application for accepting a 4 year HPSP? Also, do all branches have a 3 year HPSP, or is it only some branches?

I've been leaning towards maybe taking a 3 year HPSP, since that would be less time serving back in active duty. Even though I might be taking out loans for my first year of dental school, I'm sure the pay during my 3 years of active duty will be more than enough to pay them all back fully and still give me some breathing room for savings.

But in any case, should I even bother starting to begin filling out any HPSP paperwork, since right now the only ones that would be applying would most likely be for the 4 year HPSP? Thank you for all the help and advice thus far, this forum has been invaluable in helping me make my decisions for the future.

If you are concerned over having to spend an extra year in military service - that makes me think that the military may not be the right choice for you.

Already trying to find ways to minimize "what you will owe" or "what you are willing to do/serve" begins to set yourself up for a miserable time in the military. You should begin asking yourself, "Why am I considering this in the first place?"

I'm not saying you are doing this, but it is important that anyone that is "on the fence" consider the following things:

1) If it is mainly from the financial standpoint, and you wouldn't even consider some of the other advantages (education, traveling, etc...) or possibly staying in longer - then I would question the decision.

2) If you are not willing to deploy - I would also recommend not even signing up - that is one of the known possibilities.

3) An individual can't come in saying - I will take your $300,000 for school - but here's my list of things I will and won't do or places I will and won't go.

There are enough other options that are out there - you may want to look in those directions instead (Publich Health Service, Rural health programs with states, etc...)

I agree with everything posted above.