Is is possible to get HSPS scholarship after M1

[nm825]

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Hi, I'm starting MD school this August, and I have a few questions regarding the HSPS scholarship?

I didn't apply for the scholarship this year because I assumed I would get decent financial aid at my school, but unfortunately I only got into one (extremely expensive) MD school with nothing but loans (~90k/year). I know everyone says don't go military just for the money, but 400+k in loans coming out of med school is daunting.


1) Can I apply for the scholarship during medical school? I've heard talk of a 3-year scholarship, but I can't find much info.

2) What happens to my loan debt from first year? Do I have to make monthly payments from my military stipend?

3) If this three year scholarship does exist, what academic factors do they look at? My GPA is 3.65c/3.54s and a 35 MCAT. I'm going to a pass/fail school, so I won't really have any grades.

 

[psychbender]

1) Yes, you can start HPSP while already in school. I've known people on 2-year scholarships, even.

2) You have to face the same reality as everyone else with student loan debt. Over the course of your career, you will have to pay it off. You do not need to immediately pay it off with your stipend.

3) I believe the academic requirements for the three year are the same as the for year.

 

[Red Lobster Actual]

3) If this three year scholarship does exist, what academic factors do they look at? My GPA is 3.65c/3.54s and a 35 MCAT. I'm going to a pass/fail school, so I won't really have any grades.

Oh wow your numbers are great! I would not worry about that.

They can however, still deny you the scholarship. A few years ago I talked with a Navy Medical Officer who reviewed and interviewed HPSP applicants with great numbers but they ended up not getting the scholarship because they didn't show their "commitment" to the military. Basically they did not have a background shadowing, working with, experience with the military, etc. If this is something you lack you might want to look into that while you are processing your application.

And of course, heed the warnings of everyone in this forum. Even with 400k of debt if you end up becoming a neuro-thoracic-hand surgeon...well...you can easily pay that debt off. Plus there are creative ways to defray those costs if you have the knack to learn about them and the gumption to pull it off.

 

[packersfans]

I don't know how they did it but I met someone who got the scholarship part way into their M1 year and was able to secure a 4 year scholarship (they reimbursed their tuition, not sure about other costs). Again, no idea how this worked as it seems to fly in the face of everything I've been told.

As others noted above, 3 year scholarship is an option during M1.

edit: oh and I agree with the above about not doing it for the money. if you go into a high paying specialty you can handle your loans quickly after residency. I personally dont know what specialty I want for sure and have always wanted to serve in the military.

edit:edit: your good on the stats. fitting the mission of the military will be all you have to prove. Your first year loan debt will sit there until you enter repayment post-graduation, no payments til then.

 

[Red Lobster Actual]

I don't know how they did it but I met someone who got the scholarship part way into their M1 year and was able to secure a 4 year scholarship (they reimbursed their tuition, not sure about other costs). Again, no idea how this worked as it seems to fly in the face of everything I've been told.

As others noted above, 3 year scholarship is an option during M1.

edit: oh and I agree with the above about not doing it for the money. if you go into a high paying specialty you can handle your loans quickly after residency. I personally dont know what specialty I want for sure and have always wanted to serve in the military.

It more has to do with the timing of the fiscal year in October. An acquaintance of mine started MS1 without HPSP but managed to to get the 4 year part way through the Fall semester before October. So I think what ended up happening was that there were still a few slots to throw around before everything reset in October so they gave her the scholarship and back payed her tuition. Wouldn't really count on this plan for future applicants, this is definitely more of a gamble than anything else.

 

[Oo Cipher oO]

It more has to do with the timing of the fiscal year in October. An acquaintance of mine started MS1 without HPSP but managed to to get the 4 year part way through the Fall semester before October. So I think what ended up happening was that there were still a few slots to throw around before everything reset in October so they gave her the scholarship and back payed her tuition. Wouldn't really count on this plan for future applicants, this is definitely more of a gamble than anything else.

I saw this happen with Army Hpsp. They have the most spots and sometimes don't completly fill the quota before school starts. If someone wanted to try to apply the summer before med school or even the fall of MS1 I would try the Army.