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The application opens on Monday, January 12, 2026

 awards scholarships to students receiving education or training in a direct or indirect health-care services discipline and to assist in providing an adequate supply of such personnel for VA and the United States. HPSP helps VA meet its need for qualified healthcare professionals for which recruitment or retention is difficult.

These are the eligibility requirements for the HPSP scholarship program. Application packages that do not confirm the applicant’s eligibility based on these requirements will not be considered for the scholarship programs.

Enrollment Eligibility

You must be unconditionally accepted in an accredited academic program that will qualify for employment in one of the professional fields associated with the scholarship program (see HPSP Programs tab) prior to applying. You will be required to provide proof of enrollment indicating and unconditional acceptance. 

The academic program must be at the educational level required, and the academic program must be located in the United States.

Pre-professional phases of your health professions education (Pre-Med, Pre-nursing, etc.) is not eligible for HPSP. 

Pre-requisites and/or dual degree plans are NOT eligible for HPSP.

You must be full time enrolled in a eligible academic program unless you are a full-time VA employee. 

You can only have and create one application for one school for HPSP consideration.  You must be certain on the school you are going to attend prior to applying for HPSP.  

We do not accept multiple applications for any reason. 

Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) Eligibility

You must provide a transcript that possesses and shows a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of at least 3.30 with 15 earned credit hours within the past 5-years at the time of applying.

Pass/Fail transcripts can be used, however you will need to attach a formal letter from your school indicating the converted CGPA on a 4.0 scale with the total earned credit hours. 

Citizenship Eligibility

Applicants must be citizens of the United States. US Citizenship is defined as by birth or naturalization only. Those on Green Cards or Resident Alien status are not eligible for VA scholarship programs.

Federal Debt Eligibility

Applicants must not be delinquent on payment of federal debt. This includes delinquent taxes, audit dis-allowances, guaranteed or direct student loans, Federal Housing Administration (FHA) or VA mortgages, and other miscellaneous administrative debts. Delinquent is defined as 31 days past due on a scheduled payment.

Additional Eligibility Information

You must be 18 years of age or older to apply. 
You do not need to be a VA employee.
Veteran Status is not required for all scholarships except the Physician Assistant program. 
You cannot be under an existing service obligation to another entity after your academic training is complete.

 General Scholarship Details

• Full-time students:
  • Tuition and Fees – The HPSP/Vet Center award pays a participant’s school tuition and approved fees through direct payment to the school. HPSP/Vet Center assistance includes topping off any existing grants and scholarship to ensure 100% of tuition and required/mandatory fees are paid.
    Required/Mandatory Fees are defined as those fees assessed by the college or university to all students in the academic program for which the scholarship was awarded. General Guideline: If the fee is optional, the fee is not required by all participants in the plan of study, or if the student at any time can opt out of the fee, they do not qualify for reimbursement.
  • Monthly Stipend – HPSP/Vet Center will pay a monthly stipend directly to the participants. The payment is made for each month a participant is enrolled in coursework, beginning with the first month of the school year. The current stipend amount is $1,328 per month.
• • Book Stipend – HPSP/Vet Center will pay an additional stipend to help cover books, paper, pens, pencils, computers, etc. This stipend is usually paid out annually during the July/August timeframe while under scholarship.
• Full-time VA employees are not eligible for the monthly stipend.
• Part-time and Intermittent VA employees can receive the monthly stipend. 
• Intermittent employees will be required to provide total hours worked at the end of each year to prove part-time status.
• You must be full time enrolled in school unless a VA employee to be eligible for HPSP