If you are already in or plan to attend school to be a
- physician,
- dentist,
- podiatrist,
- optometrist,
- clinical psychologist, or
- physician assistant,
the Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program can provide tuition assistance for up to four years of school (two years for ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø master's degree) and provide you with a monthly stipend paid directly to you of $2,088. In addition, all professional school-required fees and expenses, books, and equipment are paid by the Navy. The value of this program could be well over $200,000 during the course of a four-year professional school program. After graduation, you'll join the Navy's active duty team as a commissioned officer.
What are the financial benefits of this program?
- 100 percent of your tuition is paid.
- Monthly stipend of $2088 to spend as you like.
- All educationally required school fees (minus housing and meals) are paid.
- Reimbursement for required books, supplies, and equipment (some maximums apply).
- Active duty pay and benefits for 45 days a year.
What does it take to qualify for this program?
- Be accepted to or enrolled in an AMA or AOA school of medicine.
- Be accepted to or enrolled in an ADA school of dentistry.
- Be accepted to or enrolled in an accredited Optometry school or a course leading to a master's degree as a Physician Assistant.
- Be a U.S. citizen.
- Be physically qualified for commission as a Navy officer.
How will I become orientated as a Naval Officer?
To familiarize you with the Navy and prepare you for active duty, you'll attend Officer Development School (ODS) at Newport, Rhode Island, during the first or second summer break in school. While at ODS, you'll be paid the salary and allowances of a Navy Ensign (0-1), which will be about $5,000 for the five-week course. The Navy will pay your round-trip travel costs from your school to Newport.
What is Annual Training (AT)?
For each year you are in the program, you are eligible to apply for 45 days of annual training (AT). While on AT, you receive active duty pay and benefits. Your first AT period may be Officer Development School (ODS). Your third and fourth ATs should be taken at military facilities as clerkships. Clerkships help you gain a general knowledge of the Navy Health Care System. If your school curriculum will not permit you to spend all 45 days of AT at a Navy medical facility, you may take part or all of your clerkship at your school. You'll still receive your full pay and allowances.
What will my service obligation be if I am accepted into the program?
- Serve 45 days of active duty in a Navy clerkship or under school orders during each year in the program.
- Attend ODS prior to reporting to your first permanent duty station.
- Serve one year of active duty in a non-training status for each year of scholarship participation (time spent in internship or the dental Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD)/General Practice Residency (GPR) does not count toward your active duty obligation), with a minimum of three years on active duty.
Graduate Medical Education (Internship and Residency)
Medical school scholarship students are required to apply for graduate medical education at a military training hospital in the fall of the year prior to graduation from school. If selected, you'll be called to active duty and assigned to an accredited internship at a Navy facility. Students may request to complete residency training in a civilian program (without receiving benefits from the Navy), depending on the needs of Navy Medicine. Following completion of residency training, you'll come on active duty and serve your active duty obligation. Assignments after internship and residency may include training in submarine or aerospace medicine, duty aboard Navy ships, with the Fleet Marine Force, or in a Navy hospital. Dental students can apply for an AEGD/GPR or simply do a credentialing year at some of the finest duty locations in the world. Your first year of training is recognized by the ADA and is fully accredited.
When to Apply
The best time to apply for a four-year scholarship is the Fall before the year you plan to attend professional school. Students already in medical, dental, or optometry school should apply as soon as possible for a three-, two-, or one-year scholarship. Scholarships are awarded on a rolling basis. The application takes about 12-16 weeks to complete. Applications are accepted throughout the year at any time. You can apply before receiving a letter of acceptance to medical or dental school, but you must have your letter of acceptance before you can begin receiving scholarship benefits.
How can you apply or learn more? Contact:
LT William Huff
Navy Officer Recruiter for Central ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø
Cell: (814) 969-4213 Office: (814) 867-1804 Fax: (814)237-1548
William.j.huff2@navy.mil