I spoke with the VA Leadership about this Program last June. They had just received the money from Congress to stand the Program up. While they had a "global perspective" on what the Program is SUPPOSED to do, and a vague idea on how to accomplish it. When it came down to where the rubber meets the road, they had no idea how far behind the power curve they actually were. At that very early starting point, they were not exactly sure what to pay or how to pay it (tuition, fees, equipment). They had never considered individual training agreements with the individual medical and dental schools. I don't think they even composed the minimum standards for the scholarship. They did not have a plan for HPSP drops, or those who fail to do the follow-up payback. The folks we spoke to were seemingly unaware that some HPSPers do not meet academic milestones (not even sure if they had milestones in mind), or, what to do for/to those who don't. I'd be very surprised if this got up and running this soon. Like I said, the learning curve then was steep, but, they are the VA, and, they have some very bright folks over there. And, I've been surprised in the past.
The HPSP is a monster to stand up and run. On paper it is very black and white in Program policy, statute and DoD policy. In reality, there are some very human considerations/decisions that must be made while still following those back and white statutes and policies. The HPSP AND personnel offices across all three Services have to walk a fine line between "As outlined in the contract that you signed" you WILL, or we (the HPSP or Personnel Office) WILL do this, and honest to God human compassion for each individual circumstance.
