VA HPSP

[Maverick87]

Hey all. Figured I'd post this since there are so many people messaging me and creating threads on the military HPSP (which appears to be no longer available to PAs).

 

It appears that the VA is also creating an HPSP program that will be available to PAs and will begin to receive applications in January of 2016.

 

Here's an excerpt from the VA website:

 

 

The Health Professional Scholarship Program (HPSP)

will award scholarships to students receiving education or training in a direct or indirect health care services discipline (Title 38 and Hybrid Title 38 Occupations). Awards will be offered on a competitive basis and are exempt from Federal taxation. In exchange for the award, scholarship program participants will agree to a service obligation in a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care facility.

We anticipate that the open period for accepting applications will begin in January 2016. Please continue to check back here at http://www.vacareers.va.gov for any updates.
 

Purpose

• Provide our Veteran population with specialized care by increasing the supply of qualified health care professionals.
• Help the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) meet its need for qualified health care professionals in occupations where recruitment or retention is difficult

Eligibility

• Each year VA will determine eligible occupations for the current year scholarships based on VHA’s Workforce Succession and Strategic Plan.
• Eligible applicants must be enrolled in, or unconditionally accepted for enrollment in, an academic program that prepares the applicant to meet the VA Qualification Standards for employment in occupational field for which the scholarship is awarded.
• Applicants must be citizens of the United States and pass a background investigation.
• All academic institutions must be located in the United States or its territories and accredited by the professional accrediting body identified in VA Qualification Standards as required for the applicable occupational series.
• Applicants cannot have an obligation under any Federal program to perform service after completion of the course of education or training.

Covered Expenses

• Tuition and required fees
• Monthly stipend
• Annual education expense
• Full-time students have a maximum of 4 years to complete their education
• Part-time students (current VA employees only) have a maximum of 6 years to complete their education.

Service Obligation

• Upon completing their educational program and licensure/certification, participants work as permanent, full-time VA employees in the occupation for which the scholarship was provided.
• Participants agree to a 1-year to 3-year service obligation.
• Participants sign a Mobility Agreement to relocate at their own expense if required to fulfill their service obligation.

Application Process

• VA will post a Program Announcement here and on http://www.USAjobs.gov with the open period for accepting applications.
• All applications will be accepted through http://www.USAjobs.gov.
• Applicants must submit a complete application package consisting of:
  • Application (VA Form 10-0491g)
  • Academic Verification (VA Form 10-0491)
  • Evaluation and Recommendation (VA Form 10-0491e). Include one each from:
    • – the academic program where currently enrolled or where the applicant will be enrolled;
    • – a person who has known the applicant for a minimum of 2 years; and
    • – if a current or previous VA employee, the applicant’s VA supervisor or equivalent.
  • Academic Transcript (An unofficial transcript is acceptable)
  • Résumé
  • Declaration for Federal Employment (OF 306)
• Program forms are available below and on http://www.va.gov/vaforms.

 

In all honesty, I would say that this scholarship program is actually better than the military scholarship program for most people, especially if you have a family and are not prior enlisted, due to the lack of deployments and decreased obligation (minimum for this scholarship is 1 year, as opposed to the military, which is 3 years).

 

Of course, it is the federal government so it may not come to fruition, but it's definitely an interesting concept.

[LESH]

Thanks for posting Marverick87. I knew a few PA students that got these awards back in the 90s. You are right it was a better deal than the Military & NHSC. Especially for Vets.

LesH

[CorpsmanUP]

If this comes to fruition it may make Med School significantly more likely in my future.

[dchampigny]

Anything coming out of this? I've been looking at jobs at the VA. 

[TomB]

For those currently working for the VA they offer two scholarship programs: ESIP and VANEEP.  The ESIP pays tuition, fees, books, etc. and the VANEEP pays you your current base salary while attending school.  To qualify your need to be a full-time or part-time employee.  Check with the education office, worth looking into.  I've heard they typically only award for nurses, but our edu. lady said to her knowledge no ones applied for them for PA school. 

[TomB]

As of right now the VA HPSP appears to only be offered for nursing programs meeting a certain criteria.  Hopefully the occupations accepted will broaden for the 2017 cycle.  Continue to check with the link above for updates. 

[btvample]

When you sign the mobility agreement, you give them a top 5 list 6 months before you graduate?  Is the mobility agreement within the united states? Could you go to another country for your service obligation?

[TomB]

Im not aware of any VA facility outside the US.

[TomB]

Anyone that applied for this hear anything yet?