I'm considering applying for a Naval HPSP scholarship....If you can handle knowing that you'll owe a year for every year they pay for school (3 or 4 year scholarships only), then go for it. It's a great deal. You're an O-2 (Junior grade Lieutenant, i think?!) upon graduation from med school. They pay for all of your tuition, books, and other expenses like microscope rental, etc. Plus, they give you a stipend. The Navy stipend I believe is around $1020, so that will help with living costs. You can do a civilian internship and residency, if you don't match first with the Navy match, but it doesn't count towards the time you owe. Also, you could get stuck doing a GMO tour. Being a General Medical Officer doesn't always turn out to be the most fun, but if you don't mind being stuck on a ship for a really really long time, then, hey, no biggie!
It's a huge commitment, though. If you are married or have a serious significant other, making the decision to pursue such an endeavor would be a tough one. Also, you should be prepared to become a part of the Armed Forces. I know some people could never join, based on their political or religious viewpoints.
My brother is in an engineer for the Navy Corp of Engineers and he loves it. He's lived in Sicily with his wife for the past two years, is fluent in Italian and will most likely be sent to London after he does his CB tour in the states. I know medicine and engineering are two different things, but being in the Navy offers some great opportunities for those who are can handle a little adventure without the heavy burden of owing hundreds of thousands of dollars.
