Health Professions Scholarship Program

Medical Student Debt

• More than 70% of medical school graduates carry debt.
• The median educational debt for indebted medical students graduating in 2019 was $200,000.
• For public medical schools, the median total cost for state residents for four (4) years is $166,948 ($41,737 a year).
• For private medical schools, the median total cost for state residents for four (4) years is $278,692 ($69,673 a year).
• In 2022-2023, the 15 most expensive U.S. medical schools have an average cost of about $70,000/year in tuition and fees.
• The Air Force HPSP offers medical students the opportunity to receive a full tuition scholarship along with a generous monthly stipend in exchange for future service as an Air Force physician.

Benefits of the HPSP Program

• Students receive full tuition and required fees at the accredited U.S. medical school of their choice located within the continental U.S., Hawaii, Alaska or Puerto Rico.
• Books and most other educational fees are also covered under the HPSP scholarship.
• An annual salary of ~$35,000 which includes
• Monthly stipend of $2,870.00/month for 10 ½ months
• Second Lieutenant military and travel pay for the remaining 45 days, during their active duty tour.
• There is a $20,000 signing bonus for students who receive a four (4) year AF HPSP scholarship, similar to the Army and Navy program. Likewise, three (3) year scholarship participants can receive the signing bonus if they agree to a four (4) year commitment.

Who Can Apply?

• Applicants must be accepted to or enrolled in a medical school accredited by either the Association of American Medical Colleges (MD schools) or American Osteopathic Association (DO schools) located within the continental U.S., Hawaii, Alaska or Puerto Rico.
• Applicants must be U.S. citizens.
• Applicants must be physically qualified for commissioning as an Air Force officer.

When to Apply?

• For four (4) year scholarships, the best time to apply is early fall of the year prior to attending medical school.
• Students already in medical school applying for three (3) year scholarships should apply immediately.
• Scholarships are awarded on a rolling basis; early application maximizes opportunity for selection.

Selection Criteria

• Applicants must have a minimum 3.2 undergraduate GPA and 500 MCAT with a minimum score of 124 on each of the MCAT subsections.
• Applicants for three (3) and four (4) year scholarships with at least a 3.4 undergraduate GPA and an MCAT total score of 504 (& minimum subsection score of 124 in each subsection) are automatically selected and do not meet a scheduled accession board.