Army National Guard's new Med student program details.

[slycaper]

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I was wondering if anyone knows if it is possible to sign up for the HPLRP (up to 120K -correct me if I'm wrong) or any other loan repayment program after completing your third and final year of active duty service of the ASR program.

 

[EMH]

I was wondering if anyone knows if it is possible to sign up for the HPLRP (up to 120K -correct me if I'm wrong) or any other loan repayment program after completing your third and final year of active duty service of the ASR program.

I was told you have to be through residency.

And I know the amount went up but I don't know what the new amount is.

 

[lawyerdoc2b]

I was told you have to be through residency.

And I know the amount went up but I don't know what the new amount is.

I was recently informed by my recruiter that the new amount is $140,000 and paid after completion of residency.

 

[Mister T]

You can't have your cake and eat it too.

Folks, remember, that even though all of this sounds appealing in writing, the military has a strong reputation for playing games, finding loopholes, and flat out rewriting the original contracts.

You basically sign your life away to them.

Don't think for a moment that the National Guard doesn't realize what it's doing.

I have a feeling deep down that a lot of you signed up for something expecting to get free money essentially and not pay back any time for the army national guard at the end (at least any significant amount of time).

I suppose time will, but I'm going to err on the side of cynicism, and say that there's a catch to everything (and it's not the drilling every month) --- it's going to be someething that'll force you guys to be stuck.

We'll see, I hope I'm wrong.

 

[EMH]

You can't have your cake and eat it too.

Don't feed the trolls.

 

[notdeadyet]

I was wondering if anyone knows if it is possible to sign up for the HPLRP (up to 120K -correct me if I'm wrong) or any other loan repayment program after completing your third and final year of active duty service of the ASR program.

No. Read the last page. I posted a pretty detailed description of the program requirements. You need to either be board certified/board eligible or you can take it as an R3 if you're in STRAP in a critical specialty.

And I know the amount went up but I don't know what the new amount is.

$40K/year for a max of three years.

I was recently informed by my recruiter that the new amount is $140,000 and paid after completion of residency.

Nope. $120K and it's paid out in installments of $40K each year. Sign up next month as a BC doc and you get your $40K in on year.

 

[AlphaPower]

Example 1: You are in a 5 year residency. You take HPLR for three years, R3-R5, while also taking STRAP. You graduate residency and start payback. You have not accrued any additional obligation.

Example 2: You are in a 3 year residency. You take HPLR for three years, starting R3, then continuing two years post-residency. You do not begin payback of STRAP until you finish your two years of HPLR.

Make sense?

Can you please do an example for an ASR doing a 5 year residency in surgery, and only interested in HPLR? When is eligible to apply and obligations incurred?

 

[notdeadyet]

Can you please do an example for an ASR doing a 5 year residency in surgery, and only interested in HPLR? When is eligible to apply and obligations incurred?

The policy document makes no mention of ASR being an exception to the BC/BE requirement. So you'd do your five year surgery residency until you were board eligible, then could take HPLRP for the three years after surgery.

 

[AlphaPower]

The policy document makes no mention of ASR being an exception to the BC/BE requirement. So you'd do your five year surgery residency until you were board eligible, then could take HPLRP for the three years after surgery.

When is someone usually board eligible? And let's say I only want to take 1 year of HPLRP, or 40k, are you saying I only get the money after I complete my surgery residency, while interest accrues on my deferred loans?

I'm in ASR now, so by the end of a 5 year residency, I satisfy my 8 year obligation. Does taking 1 year of HPLRP add another year of obligation to that?

 

[psychmed]

Does it matter with regard to entering rank for the ASR program whether you already have a doctorate? I'm interested in the program for medical school but will likely have earned a Doctorate in Behavioral Health by then.

Also, does the ASR program have the same physical fitness requirements as every other military program and where could I access details?

 

[notdeadyet]

When is someone usually board eligible?

You are board eligible when you have completed the requirements necessary to do your board exam. So basically, it's when you finish residency.

And let's say I only want to take 1 year of HPLRP, or 40k, are you saying I only get the money after I complete my surgery residency, while interest accrues on my deferred loans?

Yes.

Keep in mind that the idea of HPLRP is go get board certified docs into the Guard. For medical students, they offer MDSSP. For residents, they offer STRAP. For board certified physicians, they offer HPLRP and Special Pay.

I'm in ASR now, so by the end of a 5 year residency, I satisfy my 8 year obligation. Does taking 1 year of HPLRP add another year of obligation to that?

You sign up for HPLRP (once you're BE/BC) and once your application is processed, a 1 year clock starts ticking. At the end of that year, you get your $40K. You can leave the day they cut you the check.

There is no added obligation. But they don't give you the cash up front, they give you the cash after you've done a year.

 

[notdeadyet]

Does it matter with regard to entering rank for the ASR program whether you already have a doctorate? I'm interested in the program for medical school but will likely have earned a Doctorate in Behavioral Health by then.

You can get a Captain direct commission for some clinical doctorates, but not general Ph.D's. Keep in mind that the ASR program is no longer accepting folks.

Also, does the ASR program have the same physical fitness requirements as every other military program and where could I access details?

The ASR program commissions you as an officer in the National Guard. The National Guard has the same physical requirements as the U.S. Army. Google physical requirements for the U.S. Army and you should find everything you need...

 

[psychmed]

My program is a clinical doctorate, not a PhD... but, I must have missed something- do you mean that the program does not exist anymore or that I have missed a deadline for this year? Thanks!

 

[EMH]

You sign up for HPLRP (once you're BE/BC) and once your application is processed, a 1 year clock starts ticking. At the end of that year, you get your $40K. You can leave the day they cut you the check.

There is no added obligation. But they don't give you the cash up front, they give you the cash after you've done a year.

My recruiter told me today to come see her a year before I'm BE to fill out and sign the form so that way I'd be able to get a check as soon as I am BE. This doesn't seem to be in line with what I've read but it's food for thought.

 

[EMH]

My program is a clinical doctorate, not a PhD... but, I must have missed something- do you mean that the program does not exist anymore or that I have missed a deadline for this year? Thanks!

It is currently suspended pending additional funding. My impression is it will return, probably around Oct. If you're intrested there is no harm in starting paperwork and clearing the MEPS physical so if/when it returns you're at the top of the queue to get plugged in.

 

[EMH]

One of the med students in my unit who went to OBLC this summer seems to remember them talking about some sort of money you could get while you were a resident (other than STRAP). Since it's established that STRAP isn't really a good idea, does anyone know what he's thinking of?

 

[EMH]

Some changes to the program description on the first page of this thread need updating and I'd like some help. Other than changing the HPLRP info, I know the critical specilties list has changed. This is the old list, does anyone have the new list?

Currently the specialties that are eligable for the 50k loan repayment and 75k bonus are listed here.
Orthopedic Surgery
Family Practice
Emergency Medicine
Internal Medicine
Subspecialties of Internal Medicine:
Preventive Medicine
Gastroenterology
Cardiology
Endocrinology
Nephrology
Medical Oncology/Hematology
Infectious Disease
Pulmonary Disease
Rheumatology

 

[AlphaPower]

You sign up for HPLRP (once you're BE/BC) and once your application is processed, a 1 year clock starts ticking. At the end of that year, you get your $40K. You can leave the day they cut you the check.

There is no added obligation. But they don't give you the cash up front, they give you the cash after you've done a year.

Thanks! One last question about HPLRP. Let's say you only have $20k in loans. Can you just have them pay $20k? But the obligation one incurs is still 1 year? Or do they give you $40k per year no matter what? Seems like a hassle to calculate the exact amount you'll need at the end of that year with interest accruing and everything. It would be nice if you can tell the loan people to bill the army and leave the two of them to figure out the details.

 

[EMH]

edit: delete, out of context

 

[EMH]

Thanks! One last question about HPLRP. Let's say you only have $20k in loans. Can you just have them pay $20k? But the obligation one incurs is still 1 year? Or do they give you $40k per year no matter what? Seems like a hassle to calculate the exact amount you'll need at the end of that year with interest accruing and everything. It would be nice if you can tell the loan people to bill the army and leave the two of them to figure out the details.

Humm, if this was your plan I'd barrow some more cash while in school so you can get the full benefit down the road. If you only had 20k in loans it'd make more sense to take the 25k special pay instead of the HPLRP.

edit: The program states it can only be used to pay back authorized students loans.

 

[AlphaPower]

Humm, if this was your plan I'd barrow some more cash while in school so you can get the full benefit down the road. If you only had 20k in loans it'd make more sense to take the 25k special pay instead of the HPLRP.

edit: The program states it can only be used to pay back authorized students loans.

Good point. Not my plan. Just trying to understand it myself so I can explain it to people interested in the National Guard in case ASR doesn't come back.

 

[AlphaPower]

My recruiter told me today to come see her a year before I'm BE to fill out and sign the form so that way I'd be able to get a check as soon as I am BE. This doesn't seem to be in line with what I've read but it's food for thought.

That's what I heard from some people here too. Anyone know if this is official?

P.S. Can someone explain what's going on with the 1 month July OBLC course in a previous link? Is that not for National Guard?

 

[whosmk]

That's what I heard from some people here too. Anyone know if this is official?

P.S. Can someone explain what's going on with the 1 month July OBLC course in a previous link? Is that not for National Guard?

last week i applied for 6-8-c20b with july 1st as first choice and aug 10 as 2nd choice. today, i got email confirming the reservation for aug 10 training (105). whoever said that guard is losing summer training must be wrong?

 

[punkiedad]

Sorry if this has been posted before, but have a quick question regarding STRAP and trying to see if it is worth me to live really poor during residency, then buck up for HLRP to take care of loans, then capitalize on special pay.......

I understand STRAP is a stipend simialr to HPSP monthly (like $1900). Do you get DRILL PAY ON TOP OF THAT? Or are they mutually exclusive. ie, would you get $1900 plus drill pay when drilling while on strap (thus a net of like $2500 or just the STRAP? If not, it seems like it would make more sense, if you have the ability to hold out. You would be much more net positive if you took HLRP then special pay if you were planning on staying in..............

Thoughts?

 

[EMH]

I believe it's just a stipend, has nothing to do with your drilling so you would still get paid for drill and AT time.

On another note, with the new GI bill I believe we can get that money during residency now based on my reading of the VA's website. It's like $320 a month.

 

[EMH]

last week i applied for 6-8-c20b with july 1st as first choice and aug 10 as 2nd choice. today, i got email confirming the reservation for aug 10 training (105). whoever said that guard is losing summer training must be wrong?

The guy in my unit who went last july said that when they were there the people at the course said it was the last time they were going to do the July course because it was just too @#*% hot.

 

[DM5765]

Im having a hell of a time finding any sort of official documentation on the internet about the asr program, but I know some of you probably have an answer for me.

I was told upon joining the ASR program that going abroad for a semester wouldn't be a problem, but with all the nonsense that comes out of these peoples mouths, I am starting to wonder. Does anyone know how studying abroad works within the asr program?

In a related question, what happens when a regular drilling member of the NG is out of the state or country for a few months?

 

[EMH]

Im having a hell of a time finding any sort of official documentation on the internet about the asr program, but I know some of you probably have an answer for me.

I was told upon joining the ASR program that going abroad for a semester wouldn't be a problem, but with all the nonsense that comes out of these peoples mouths, I am starting to wonder. Does anyone know how studying abroad works within the asr program?

In a related question, what happens when a regular drilling member of the NG is out of the state or country for a few months?

Well, I think this is kind of a "depends" question. However, there is one odd thing about being on orders that could be a problem if someone wanted to make a deal about it. You should technically use vacation time if you are going to be away from your home not doing the job that your orders say. Since your mission is to help recruit and graduate medical school, you could argue that you're not actually using vacation time. I went through this discussion a while back with someone and the bottom line I got was who is going to know where you are unless you get injured or something happens.

I know that doesn't clear things up much but it's been my experience in the military so far that there is a LOT! of grey area where who you ask, who you know, and your rank (and in our case, future rank) makes all the difference in the world.

 

[DeadCactus]

Im having a hell of a time finding any sort of official documentation on the internet about the asr program, but I know some of you probably have an answer for me.

I was told upon joining the ASR program that going abroad for a semester wouldn't be a problem, but with all the nonsense that comes out of these peoples mouths, I am starting to wonder. Does anyone know how studying abroad works within the asr program?

In a related question, what happens when a regular drilling member of the NG is out of the state or country for a few months?

I asked about going abroad for a rotation or during breaks. A friend in undergrad doing the ROTC/SMP thing just got back from a semester in Germany. The impression I got is that it's no problem.

The answer when I looked into it was kind of quick and dirty, but I think I was told that ASR folks just use up some of their accrued vacation time. The caveat is if the trip lasts longer than your vacation time in which case they cut new orders taking you off of ADSW and then they start up again when you return. If that's true, you may run into a problem if you entered ASR late and would miss out on the pay during that period because you're not in medical school long enough to recoup it. Still it's a monetary loss and not a "You can't go."

As long as being abroad isn't slowing down your graduation, I don't think it's an issue. Overall, being officers in the NG versus students in a program seems to confer a lot more freedom...


Edit:

On a completely tangential note (travel reminded me of wanting to learn Spanish), I just wanted to make sure everyone knew that we have free access to Rosetta Stone software in several dozen languages through the Army.

 

[notdeadyet]

I believe it's just a stipend, has nothing to do with your drilling so you would still get paid for drill and AT time.

Correct. STRAP pay does not include your drill pay.

On another note, with the new GI bill I believe we can get that money during residency now based on my reading of the VA's website. It's like $320 a month.

The GI Bill thing is really going to be a crapshoot. I've contacted the VA and gotten three different answers from three different reps:

1. We'll be covered under the old GI Bill designed for reservists/NG (title 32 is not applicable for active duty), which comes to about $330/month.
2. We'll be covered under the old GI Bill designed for active duty (title 32 is applicable for active duty) which means someone in for 2-3 years recieves about $1,400/month.
3. We'll be covered under the new GI Bill (title 32 isn't usually covered, but 32 orders for recruiting are an exception) and will recieve 80% of the BAH portion of the GI Bill. For my location, that would come to about $1,800/month.

Time will tell...

 

[notdeadyet]

You should technically use vacation time if you are going to be away from your home not doing the job that your orders say.

Agree with EMH here. It's going to depend a lot on your command, but the rules are pretty clear on this.

If you're going to be more than 100 miles (I think that's the limit) from your home location, you need to use leave. You get 30 days/year.

If you're going to continue to do work from the Guard while away from your location, you can try to get TDY. This is what could be done for doing audition rotations in other locations in the U.S. (and in many cases, your command may not even require you do that).

If you're going to go outside the U.S. it's going to get stickier and you're probably going to have to use up your leave. Also keep in mind that technically if you don't use leave during your Christmas/Spring break, your command can ask you to come in and do recruiting duties (our command tossed that out there to us).

If study abroad during med school is an absolute must for you, get it in writing before joining. If it's a nice-to-have, you could probably be comfortable something could be worked out.

As a note: I'd be very careful about getting new orders cut that take you off ASR. If there are funding changes, it might be sticky getting new orders cut putting you back on.

 

[punkiedad]

Agree with EMH here. It's going to depend a lot on your command, but the rules are pretty clear on this.

If you're going to be more than 100 miles (I think that's the limit) from your home location, you need to use leave. You get 30 days/year.

If you're going to continue to do work from the Guard while away from your location, you can try to get TDY. This is what could be done for doing audition rotations in other locations in the U.S. (and in many cases, your command may not even require you do that).

If you're going to go outside the U.S. it's going to get stickier and you're probably going to have to use up your leave. Also keep in mind that technically if you don't use leave during your Christmas/Spring break, your command can ask you to come in and do recruiting duties (our command tossed that out there to us).

If study abroad during med school is an absolute must for you, get it in writing before joining. If it's a nice-to-have, you could probably be comfortable something could be worked out.

As a note: I'd be very careful about getting new orders cut that take you off ASR. If there are funding changes, it might be sticky getting new orders cut putting you back on.

NDY: Thanks for the info. You are always reliable, as well as EMH...Time will tell.

As far as the abroad stuff, I also concur. Comparing it to the ROTC folks, or other type on active is not really the same thing, as we are active as ASRs. Additionally, not sure if it is 50 or 100 miles away, but vacation must be used, and your unit or CO must be notified. They need to know. As a matter of fact, I had to use Guard vacation time if I was off campus during thanksgiving and Christmas this past year. If I was not at school, then we had to take vacation........

 

[DeadCactus]

As a note: I'd be very careful about getting new orders cut that take you off ASR. If there are funding changes, it might be sticky getting new orders cut putting you back on.

My understanding was that it was new orders to be back on ADSW status, something we go through regularly as the orders can only be written for a certain length at a time (one year?) and that this is different from the orders that place you in the ASR program...

 

[lovastatin]

These are questions I have... I wonder if someone knows the answer.

............................................

So if you are in medschool with ASR, you are under ADSW and if ADSW was the same as fully-active then....

If you do 3 years of ADSW, you would be eligible at 100% under 9/11 GI Bill (36 months). I guess you would get a DD 214 after the ADSW. Hence, you could pay your 4th year with the 9/11 GI Bill....

Not only that but you would also be eligible for the Hazlewood Act (Texas thing) if you have spent the entire GI Bill previously....

Questions are...

Does ASR ADSW count as eligible active duty time for the 9/11 GI Bill?
So.. would you be able to use the 9/11 GI Bill on your fourth year?

Does ASR ADWS count as eligible active time for the 181 days for the Hazlewood Act?
So... would you be able to use Hazlewood act on your fourth year?

 

[notdeadyet]

My understanding was that it was new orders to be back on ADSW status, something we go through regularly as the orders can only be written for a certain length at a time (one year?) and that this is different from the orders that place you in the ASR program...

It's not the orders that would give me a little pause, it's the funding. Our orders get renewed each fiscal year. That I don't sweat. But if you are given orders that take away your ASR funding for a while, I'd hope to get something in writing that says that that funding will be waiting for you when you return. And I doubt they'll put that in writing.

 

[n618ft]

Any Floridians doing this in here?

 

[n618ft]

Does anyone know if you can go active after you finish ASR (after the 4th yr of medical school of course), and apply to military residencies similar to the HPSP students?

I was told by the recruiter in my state that you CAN go active. The policy is on a state-by-state basis.

 

[EMH]

I was told by the recruiter in my state that you CAN go active. The policy is on a state-by-state basis.

It's because the state has to release you from your obligation to that state's guard.

 

[del Sol DOHC]

It's because the state has to release you from your obligation to that state's guard.

And that is very unlikely to happen.

 

[Daedra22]

Forgive the lengthiness, and also forgive me if this has been answered... I wasn't sure what keywords would bring me what I wanted in this thread.

So... I understand that the ASR program was at least somewhat competitive (which is moot now, since it's gone/on hold/whatever). However, I don't know how competitive the plain old medical-student-in-the-guard program is. I would ask a recruiter, except that people at the people at the guard call center told me that I could not see a recruiter until I meet height/weight (puzzling to me... since I know that not everyone who sees a recruiter is ready for MEPS, but whatever). I've been steadily losing the weight and getting in shape, and I'm fairly confident that I will be at my goal by April at the latest. I start medical school at the end of July... do I have options here? Is it likely that I could join before med school, or will I have to wait a year?

 

[lawyerdoc2b]

Forgive the lengthiness, and also forgive me if this has been answered... I wasn't sure what keywords would bring me what I wanted in this thread.

So... I understand that the ASR program was at least somewhat competitive (which is moot now, since it's gone/on hold/whatever). However, I don't know how competitive the plain old medical-student-in-the-guard program is. I would ask a recruiter, except that people at the people at the guard call center told me that I could not see a recruiter until I meet height/weight (puzzling to me... since I know that not everyone who sees a recruiter is ready for MEPS, but whatever). I've been steadily losing the weight and getting in shape, and I'm fairly confident that I will be at my goal by April at the latest. I start medical school at the end of July... do I have options here? Is it likely that I could join before med school, or will I have to wait a year?

First, if you don't meet the height/weight requirements from the table, MEPS will tape measure you for a Body Mass Index (BMI) calculation. I suggest that you drop by your neighborhood Army recruiting office and ask a recruiter to tape measure you and get a prelimary opinion as to whether you would meet the BMI standard. Key here is thick neck equals less BMI so poke your chin out (I'm half serious here).

Second, you can talk to a National Guard AMEDD recruiter now.

Third, you must join the Guard of the State where you will attend medical school - not necessarily where you may now reside. Make sure that you see the correct recruiter.

Fourth, you can join now but it takes at least a few months to get through the process. Start with the paperwork now and by the time you are done you will be ready to go to MEPS.

 

[EMH]

I don't know how competitive the plain old medical-student-in-the-guard program is. I would ask a recruiter, except that people at the people at the guard call center told me that I could not see a recruiter until I meet height/weight (puzzling to me... since I know that not everyone who sees a recruiter is ready for MEPS, but whatever). I've been steadily losing the weight and getting in shape, and I'm fairly confident that I will be at my goal by April at the latest. I start medical school at the end of July... do I have options here? Is it likely that I could join before med school, or will I have to wait a year?

I wouldn't exactly call it competitive because you're not competing for a spot, it's really first come first serve as long as you can pass MEPS and the boards. The guy saying you can't talk to a recruiter until you meet height/weight is kind of misleading but there's a reason he says that. It's because your recruiter has to do a WHOLE lot of work to even get you to the point where your packet goes before the USAREC board who decides if you can direct commission. They don't want to put a lot of time and work into someone who they think ultimately won't make it in.

That being said there are really two big hurdles to pass. #1 clearing the physical, #2 passing the board.

#1 The physical is hardest for most people, mostly because adderal or other stimulant's are disqualifying and a lot of med students are ADD. If you're not on any meds and have no past surgeries, no asthma, and are under your allowed weight then MEPS shouldn't be a problem. A side note is that if you let the docs at MEPS know you're a med student and dress well (like a polo/button up and khaki's) you'll get treated better than the rest of the 18 y/o guys dressed in a t-shirt and athletic shorts, or least that was my experience.

#2 Even if you can clear MEPS if you've got anything on your records that looks bad like DWI's or grades that might make them nervous you might not graduate and become a doc you can not clear the USAREC board. There was a girl I recruited that got passed up at USAREC because she actually dropped out of med school 4 years earlier due to personal problems and had to reapply and was an M1 again when she tried to join. There was another med student I tried to recruit who had some alcohol related arrests while in college that the recruiters didn't want to work up because they knew he wouldn't pass the USAREC.

To join as a medical student you are getting a direct commission as an officer and the bar is a bit higher than it would be if you were trying to enlist. I'll be happy to answer more questions if you have them because this is something I've asked a lot of questions about.

 

[Daedra22]

👍 Thanks EMH and Lawyer2Doc (btw, EMH, fantastic username... please state the nature of the medical emergency, anyone?). Both of your posts were very informative. Luckily I don't have any of the issues you listed that might make getting in difficult or impossible... so now it's just about the weight thing.

 

[DeadCactus]

These are questions I have... I wonder if someone knows the answer.

............................................

So if you are in medschool with ASR, you are under ADSW and if ADSW was the same as fully-active then....

If you do 3 years of ADSW, you would be eligible at 100% under 9/11 GI Bill (36 months). I guess you would get a DD 214 after the ADSW. Hence, you could pay your 4th year with the 9/11 GI Bill....

Not only that but you would also be eligible for the Hazlewood Act (Texas thing) if you have spent the entire GI Bill previously....

Questions are...

Does ASR ADSW count as eligible active duty time for the 9/11 GI Bill?
So.. would you be able to use the 9/11 GI Bill on your fourth year?

Does ASR ADWS count as eligible active time for the 181 days for the Hazlewood Act?
So... would you be able to use Hazlewood act on your fourth year?

Sorry, just noticed this. I'm in ASR in Texas.

For the GI Bill, I was under the impression that those activated under Title 32 (which ASR folks fall under) are not elligible for either version of the AD GI Bill. As you can see in notdeadyet's post above, there seems to be some unclarity on how true this is. For now, I would go in expecting only the Reserve GI Bill and concider the AD version an amazingly pleasant surprise if they work out.

I'm not sure on the Hazlewood act. At first glance, it appears it qualifies. I asked about state benefits and was told that they did not apply to professional degrees. The Hazlewood act mentions Law School however and so I assume medical school applies. It could be that it did not occur to those I asked because it is not generally available to Guardsmen barring deployment. It may be where Title 32 does not count.

I'll try and find out and post it here. It would be interesting as it would mean that on top of ASR benefits, those in TX get free tuition beginning after their first 6 months in the program...

 

[lovastatin]

Sorry, just noticed this. I'm in ASR in Texas.

For the GI Bill, I was under the impression that those activated under Title 32 (which ASR folks fall under) are not elligible for either version of the AD GI Bill. As you can see in notdeadyet's post above, there seems to be some unclarity on how true this is. For now, I would go in expecting only the Reserve GI Bill and concider the AD version an amazingly pleasant surprise if they work out.

I'm not sure on the Hazlewood act. At first glance, it appears it qualifies. I asked about state benefits and was told that they did not apply to professional degrees. The Hazlewood act mentions Law School however and so I assume medical school applies. It could be that it did not occur to those I asked because it is not generally available to Guardsmen barring deployment. It may be where Title 32 does not count.

I'll try and find out and post it here. It would be interesting as it would mean that on top of ASR benefits, those in TX get free tuition beginning after their first 6 months in the program...

Well, you can get the GI Bill SR during the 3 years... but you are eligible for 48 months of benefits. So, I was wondering if you could get the 12 months remaining as 9/11. If you are going to school again, it might be best not to use the GI SR for the 36 months because you are only eligible for up to 48 months of GI benefits combined total. $300/month is not a good deal when compared to free tuition (public school) and E5 BAH allowance...

For the Hazlewood, you need to be discharged, so I don't think it would work after 6 months. What I was thinking about is... would the ADSW time be considered for the 180 days so that my kids (in the future) can take advantage of it, via the Hazlewood Legacy program.

This ADSW is very confusing and nobody really knows the answers...
Also, 9/11 GI is so new that all the conditions have not been worked out.
Hazlewood is also complicated.

 

[notdeadyet]

Anyone have any AMEDD contacts in TN? I have a PA prospect (Physician Assistant, that is)....

 

[n618ft]

No new info on recycling the ASR spots? What's everyone doing right now if you were in the process? I was told that in my state I can still commission and drill while I await ASR spots to free up or whatever program I end up choosing. Anyone else getting this?

 

[notdeadyet]

No new info on recycling the ASR spots?

I've heard nothing about it and some folks have definitely left the program (some PA's have December graduations). The "recycling" concept has been around for a while on SDN and has been heard by more than one person, but no one's seen anything in writing about it.

I was told that in my state I can still commission and drill while I await ASR spots to free up or whatever program I end up choosing.

Interesting. Be sure to get that in writing. And make sure that you are coded as an 00E67 (medical student). Program policy for ASR eligibility states that candidates "must be a newly accessed member of the ARNG and coded as either a medical, denta, or physician assistant student (00E67, 70B)."

In other words, don't let them swear you in as a 70B (health svcs officer) and tell you that they'll put you in ASR if/when it comes back, as you'd be ineligible. The problem is that as a 00E67, you're not really qualified to do anything.

 

[DeadCactus]

So how have you ASR folks decided to handling your income? Using the money to stay loan free? Using the money to live more comfortable? Using the money to invest?

We're in a rather strange financial position where we have to choose between investments and avoiding one of the most friendly kind of debts around. Things are made even more complicated by the frequency with which loan repayment help tends to be offered in our career field.

Just curious what others have decided to do and if anyone's considered investing in a financial adviser to help maximize the financial benefit of participating in ASR...

 

[notdeadyet]

So how have you ASR folks decided to handling your income? Using the money to stay loan free? Using the money to live more comfortable? Using the money to invest?

Personally, I'd recommend to everyone to first use the ASR money to pay off any old non-financial aid debt that you have on the books. After that, pay off any and all debt your spouse has (if any... spouse or debt).

Then it gets tricky. If you're planning on staying in the Guard, they have some great loan repayments incentives, so paying off all of it probably isn't a good idea in case you like the Guard. A financial advisor isn't a bad idea, though do your homework. Most of them I've met are BA's in finance that didn't have any particular talents that impressed me.