How difficult is it to get HSPS?

[blankguy]

How difficult is it to qualify for the HSPS?
I've heard that it is relatively "easy" to get it. Which of the branches is the most generous when it comes to giving out the HSPS?

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[BuckeyeDent]

Army is probably easiest, followed by Navy then AF a distant third. It is relatively easy to get an Army HPSP. If you get accepted into a school there is a good chance you could get any three schollies but you can definitely get an army.

 

[blankguy]

What do you mean by "easiest"? Does it mean practically anybody or 90% of the people who want it get it?

 

[MaxAnn]

I think the Army is the "easiest" because it has the most spots to fill. It is by far the largest of the three. I think the Air Force is the most competitive also because they seem to require higher DATs and GPAs. I have talked to Army recruiters who have specified lower numbers. The Navy seems to be somewhere in the middle of both the Air Force and the Army.

 

[blankguy]

What GPA and DAT numbers were they mentioning? Army, Navy and Air Force.

 

[MaxAnn]

I've heard numbers as low as 15 for DAT for Army, 17 DAT for Navy, and 18-19 for Air Force. GPA the Army never mentioned. The Navy GPA was 2.5 to 3.0. Air Force stated 3.0. But you always here different numbers.

 

[blankguy]

I've heard numbers as low as 15 for DAT for Army, 17 DAT for Navy, and 18-19 for Air Force. GPA the Army never mentioned. The Navy GPA was 2.5 to 3.0. Air Force stated 3.0. But you always here different numbers.

How long ago did you here of these numbers? Dam. I think most people don't realize that this is a reasonably good deal not having to worrry about debt. I hear that the military is a great source of experience since recent grads tend to be very green.

 

[MaxAnn]

I've been hearing those numbers for about 6 to 8 months now from a few different recruiters. Maybe they are gassing things up in order to promote the scholarship, but you don't have to spend any money to apply and you are not obligated to sign if you get selected or not.

The main difficulty in applying is really the length of the application, which is really involved.

I think most students refuse to apply or even consider the scholarships because of the war, but who knows what the world will look like in 4 years. Of all the services, the Navy pays the most money it seems with bonuses, at least that is what a commander told me via a powerpoint in his office.

I think you have to weigh who you are and what you are willing to tolerate. I just hate having debt all over my head. The time and money that it will take for me to pay off 200K plus loans would allow me to pay for the college education of my children.

I'd take 4-5yrs in the military active duty over 10-20-30 years in loan paybacks any day. To me, there is no comparison.

 

[blankguy]

Seems like a good deal. But I think people have it right to say don't be in it just for the money. I think this is good if you are patriotic, interested in military dentistry, want some adventure, etc...

 

[feather]

can somone explain more abt the HSPS loan if i am going to start dental school and wanna be in reserves. what is the minimum number of years one has to be with army or airforce or navy in reserve to pay off the loans???

 

[NavyDDS]

HPSP... is a scholarship (not a loan) with a minimum of 3 yrs ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY commitment. If the gov pays for your dental training for 4 years, you will owe them 4 years, but to get the most out of the experience, most people opt to do the AEGD program which make the total payback 5 years.
Hope this helps

 

[Blando]

I've heard numbers as low as 15 for DAT for Army, 17 DAT for Navy, and 18-19 for Air Force. GPA the Army never mentioned. The Navy GPA was 2.5 to 3.0. Air Force stated 3.0. But you always here different numbers.

.... i don't understand? to get the hpsp you need to get into dental school. Once you get in they don't give a flying crap about what your gpa/dat scores are unless you are going air force, because of scholarship competition. I know at least with the army you could be an AAC-automatic acceptance candidate. you need at least a 3.5 cum. GPA and a 19 AA to be an AAC. They will go ahead and process/comission you before you hear about acceptances. If you don't get in they will drop you from the program. The army and navy haven't met their scholarship commitment in the past couple of years while every year the Air Force has. Basically, all you need to do is get in to dental school and you could get an Army or Navy HPSP. I'm goin Army! My parents are coming up to school and I am actually comissioning later today!

 

[MaxAnn]

I really don't blame you for taking this approach. I know so many people like myself who have large debt and more on the horizon. I just don't want to even think about all that money to pay back.

 

[docj1]

I've been there HPSP 1993-1995. active duty Army 95-98. There are several good things about the scholarship. you can learn a tremendous amount from specialists. They are very approachable and willing to mentor you. You get the obvious financial benefit of school being paid for. And as long as you are not oversees you can moonlight. For me it was great,But after my time was paid back it was time to go. You have to take advantage of everything it has to offer.

 

[MaxAnn]

I've been there HPSP 1993-1995. active duty Army 95-98. There are several good things about the scholarship. you can learn a tremendous amount from specialists. They are very approachable and willing to mentor you. You get the obvious financial benefit of school being paid for. And as long as you are not oversees you can moonlight. For me it was great,But after my time was paid back it was time to go. You have to take advantage of everything it has to offer.

I don't know which part of this post I like the most. I guess it is the scholarship part and the approachable colleagues. I wish there were more instructors like that.

 

[virginiabeach]

I've been there HPSP 1993-1995. active duty Army 95-98. There are several good things about the scholarship. you can learn a tremendous amount from specialists. They are very approachable and willing to mentor you. You get the obvious financial benefit of school being paid for. And as long as you are not oversees you can moonlight. For me it was great,But after my time was paid back it was time to go. You have to take advantage of everything it has to offer.

Can you give me some info about your moonlighting experience. How often did you do it? How much did it pay? What were your hours like? General info like that. Thanks

 

[Mannat]

HPSP... is a scholarship (not a loan) with a minimum of 3 yrs ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY commitment. If the gov pays for your dental training for 4 years, you will owe them 4 years, but to get the most out of the experience, most people opt to do the AEGD program which make the total payback 5 years.
Hope this helps

hii there
i m dental graduate fron india n Permanent resident of canada...i m preparin to giv eligibility examination(EE).....evn i want to wrk in army i jst wanted to know wat s HPSP am i eligible to avail dis scholarship?? if yes wat i need to do for dat...plz do reply i willl b highly obliged

 

[NavyDDS]

You have to be a U.S. citizen and
be a graduate of a U.S. accredited university.

 

[SquidsLife]

hii there
i m dental graduate fron india n Permanent resident of canada...i m preparin to giv eligibility examination(EE).....evn i want to wrk in army i jst wanted to know wat s HPSP am i eligible to avail dis scholarship?? if yes wat i need to do for dat...plz do reply i willl b highly obliged

I know BS when I read it....give me a break!

 

[NavyDDS]

Hey SquidsLife, is that a golf ship! How do I get orders?

 

[SquidsLife]

Sorry my friend, you'll have to join the Air Force to get orders on this one!

 

[blankguy]

Do recruiters give you any numbers as to how many people get accepted under the HPSP each year?

 

[blankguy]

I'm meeting with the AF recruiter and Army recruiter this week. The AF recruiter told me that they have around 90 scholarships available this year and the number usually goes up as the year goes by as more funding is found. He said that the number for this past year is 130ish and it comes in various forms (2yr, 3 yrs, 4 yrs, active, reserve). The number he cited to be in the running is GPA 3.5 and DAT 19. He did mention about some waiver for the next year I could have misheard him on this one for next year. Anyways I think it is good to meet them early before I apply for next year so that I can get this thing started as soon as I get an acceptance.