HPSP (Air Force)

[bmcdona8]

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Hey, Im a junior in undergrad and Im looking into different ways to pay for Dental School. That being said Im a little confused on what the difference between the FAP scholarship and the HPSP scholarship is?

On the same note, I know for Medical HPSP, med students do not get much flexibility with residency choice, Im wondering if the same holds true for Dental HPSP? I would like to go into Orthodontics and I am interested in the Air Force so HPSP would be great for me, as long as I am allowed to get into an Ortho residency.

Any thoughts on either question?

 

[Kahr]

You absolutely need to pose your questions in the Military Dentistry forum, especially those relating to the Air Force and specialties.

I do not know what "FAP" is, so I can't say anything there. Very very basically, the HPSP works by: paying for dental school tuition, books, and supplies (regardless of cost), as well as providing a monthly stipend for cost of living. For each year of dental school paid for, you owe the military a year of active service as a dental officer. (4 years of school, 4 years active duty).

As for specializing, your chances are fairly good (based on the number of applicants and seats available); it's been said your chances can even be better with military residencies than civ. However, orthodontics is not a high demand specialty in the military, and you will probably be unlikely to get a residency spot right out of dental school (assuming they even offer the residency that year for ortho).

More comprehensive answers to your questions have already been provided in the military dentistry forum, so I suggest you do a few searches, read through some threads (try "ask an air force dentist", it's a sticky), etc. If you can't find an answer, or get one you're satisfied with in this very thread, re-post your questions in the military dentistry forum, or contact a healthcare recruiter for the Air Force directly.

 

[jhanago]

LOL @ FAP scholarship... im immature, i know haha

😀😀😀😀

 

[rjh5146]

Does anyone know roughly how many HPSP (scholarships) are awarded each year?

 

[Vigilante]

Does anyone know roughly how many HPSP (scholarships) are awarded each year?

Someone mentioned this year they are offering 9, 4-year scholarships for the air force, and it usually ranges from 5-10.

 

[AwesomeTeeth]

FAP scholarship? Do you mean the AADSAS thing where they pay the $284 fee for one school? I wouldn't call that a scholarship lol. It's a nice help but you're definitely going to have to fork over some money for apps/interviewing.

And there are loans for dental school. You're not going to have to pay anything out of your pocket if you can't afford to. Just take a bunch of loans and work it off when you get out. Not ideal, but that's what the majority of people do.

 

[joe200]

LOL @ FAP scholarship... im immature, i know haha

😀😀😀😀

I was thinking the same!

 

[woof44]

Reason why so few 4 year scholarships are offered is because very few apply for it. I guess last year only about 20-30 people applied for it. It is a relatively unknown option that many people do not explore. The amount of 3 year scholarships goes up to like 50-60 because so many students apply for it after the first year of d school. Also, I spoke with a recruiter, and they do not have any quota to meet for 4 year applicants, so they do not really pursue students that are interested. People like me have to hunt them down and make them talk to me. Good luck.

 

[rjh5146]

Thanks for the responses!

 

[haisha ni narou]

Hey, Im a junior in undergrad and Im looking into different ways to pay for Dental School. That being said Im a little confused on what the difference between the FAP scholarship and the HPSP scholarship is?

On the same note, I know for Medical HPSP, med students do not get much flexibility with residency choice, Im wondering if the same holds true for Dental HPSP? I would like to go into Orthodontics and I am interested in the Air Force so HPSP would be great for me, as long as I am allowed to get into an Ortho residency.

Any thoughts on either question?

I'm a 4th year dental student and am on the HPSP Air Force scholarship. If you want to do ortho, you won't be able to jump right in an ortho residency after dental school, it is not offered to recent grads, you would have to do a 1 year AEGD after school and then apply. That being said, if you wanted to do ortho, you have a good shot, I don't think they are that competitive. I believe the only residencies available to recent grads are Perio, Pros, and OS. All other specialties are available after completion of the AEGD or GPR residency offered to recent grads. If you want to contact the ortho program director for the AF, PM me and I can get you the contact info, they'd be the best people to answer your questions.