The VA HPSP Scholarship, officially known as the Department of Veterans Affairs Health Professional Scholarship Program, helps students complete qualifying healthcare degrees without carrying the full cost of tuition.
The program can pay 100% of tuition, required academic fees, a monthly living stipend and an annual book stipend. In return, recipients agree to work full time at a Department of Veterans Affairs healthcare facility after graduation, licensing and any required training.
Both Veterans and civilians may apply to most VA HPSP disciplines. However, applicants must be U.S. citizens, and Veteran status is currently required for the physician assistant scholarship.
VA HPSP Scholarship Overview
| Scholarship detail | Current information |
|---|---|
| Official name | VA Health Professional Scholarship Program |
| Scholarship provider | U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs |
| Tuition coverage | Up to 100% of tuition |
| Additional support | Required fees, monthly stipend and annual book stipend |
| Minimum GPA | 3.3 cumulative GPA |
| Citizenship | U.S. citizenship required |
| Veteran status | Generally not required; required for physician assistant applicants |
| School location | Accredited institution located in the United States |
| Service commitment | Minimum of two years at a VA healthcare facility |
| Application method | VA Application Management System |
| 2026 deadline | February 27, 2026 |
What Does the VA HPSP Scholarship Cover?
The VA Health Professional Scholarship Program may cover the main educational expenses required to complete an approved healthcare degree.
Full Tuition
VA pays approved tuition directly to the recipient’s accredited school. The scholarship can also supplement other grants or scholarships so that eligible tuition and required fees are fully covered.
Required Academic Fees
Covered expenses may include mandatory laboratory, enrollment and program fees. Optional expenses that are not required by the academic program may not qualify.
Monthly Living Stipend
Recipients receive a monthly stipend to help pay ordinary living expenses while completing their education. VA has not published one permanent stipend amount because rates and program terms can change between application cycles.
Annual Book Stipend
The program provides an annual payment for textbooks and other required instructional materials.
VA Career After Graduation
Recipients receive assistance transitioning into a qualifying full-time VA position after completing their degree and meeting the applicable licensing, credentialing and employment requirements. Placement is based on VA workforce needs rather than the student’s preferred location.
Who Can Apply for the VA HPSP Scholarship?
Applicants must satisfy the following general requirements.
U.S. Citizenship
Applicants must be U.S. citizens by birth or naturalization. Permanent residents, international students and students studying under work or education visas are not eligible.
Minimum Age
Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
Admission to an Accredited Program
Applicants must be unconditionally accepted into a qualifying healthcare program at an accredited U.S. college or university.
The degree must prepare the student for employment in the professional field for which VA is offering scholarships during that application cycle. Applicants normally cannot apply while completing only prerequisite courses. Dual-degree and dual-major applications may also be excluded.
Minimum 3.3 GPA
The current VA Careers requirements specify a minimum 3.3 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale.
The transcript must generally show at least 15 earned credit hours completed during the previous five years. Students in pass-or-fail programs may need an official letter from their institution converting their academic performance to a 4.0 GPA scale.
Applicants should follow the current VA Careers requirements rather than relying on older application forms that may show a different GPA threshold.
No Delinquent Federal Debt
Applicants cannot be in default or at least 31 days delinquent on federal debt. This may include:
- Federal student loans
- Federal taxes
- VA or FHA mortgages
- Audit disallowances
- Other federal administrative debt
Ability to Pass a Background Check
Selected applicants must satisfy VA background investigation, security clearance and pre-employment requirements.
No Conflicting Service Obligation
Applicants generally cannot have an existing service commitment to another federal agency, scholarship provider or organization that would prevent them from completing their VA obligation.
Do You Have to Be a Veteran?
Veteran status is not required for most VA HPSP scholarships. Civilians who satisfy the citizenship, academic and professional requirements may apply.
The major exception is the physician assistant program, for which VA currently requires Veteran status.
This is one of the main differences between the VA HPSP and military HPSP programs. VA HPSP recipients do not join the Army, Navy or Air Force. They fulfill their commitment as civilian VA employees.
Which Healthcare Degrees Qualify?
Eligible professions may change based on VA staffing needs and the annual application announcement.
Current official VA materials identify opportunities for students pursuing careers such as:
- Registered nursing
- Medicine through an MD or DO program
- Clinical or counseling psychology
- Master of Social Work
- Licensed professional mental health counseling
- Marriage and family therapy
- Physician assistant studies, with Veteran status required
- Other designated high-need healthcare professions
Applicants should not assume that every profession will be funded during every application period.
Occupation-Specific Requirements
VA HPSP Nursing Scholarship
Nursing applicants must attend a professional nursing program with the accreditation required by VA. The current VA guidance specifically recognizes programs accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.
Applicants should verify that their exact program and degree level qualify before applying.
VA HPSP Medical School Scholarship
Medical applicants must attend an eligible U.S. allopathic or osteopathic medical school.
Qualifying schools generally include:
- MD programs accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education
- DO programs accredited by the American Osteopathic Association Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation
Physician recipients must complete postgraduate medical training leading to board eligibility in a specialty recognized by VA.
VA HPSP Psychology Scholarship
Psychology applicants generally need an eligible doctoral program accredited by an organization recognized by VA, such as the American Psychological Association or Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System.
School psychology programs do not currently qualify because VA does not have corresponding psychologist assignments within its healthcare system.
VA HPSP Social Work Scholarship
Social work applicants must complete a Master of Social Work from a program fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
A doctoral social work degree cannot replace the required accredited MSW for VA employment qualification purposes.
VA HPSP Physician Assistant Scholarship
Physician assistant applicants must be Veterans in addition to satisfying the academic, citizenship and program requirements. Applicants should confirm whether PA scholarships are offered during the current application cycle.
VA HPSP Service Obligation
Accepting the VA HPSP scholarship creates a legally binding employment commitment.
Most recipients owe one year of full-time VA service for each school year or partial school year funded, with a minimum service obligation of two years.
Physician recipients generally incur 18 months of service for each funded school year or partial school year.
For example:
| Scholarship support received | Typical non-physician obligation |
|---|---|
| One academic year | Two years minimum |
| Two academic years | Two years |
| Three academic years | Three years |
| Four academic years | Four years |
The exact obligation stated in the recipient’s signed agreement controls.
Where Will Recipients Work?
Recipients must accept a full-time direct patient-care or clinical position within the Veterans Health Administration.
The assignment and location are determined according to VA staffing needs. Recipients must sign a mobility agreement and may need to relocate for a clinical rotation, residency or permanent VA job. Relocation expenses may be the recipient’s responsibility.
Applicants should therefore apply only if they are genuinely willing to work where VA needs them.
When Does the Service Obligation Begin?
VA generally expects employment to begin within 90 days after the recipient:
- Completes the scholarship-supported degree or training
- Meets the applicable VA qualification standards
- Obtains required licenses, certifications or credentials
- Becomes eligible for appointment to the funded occupation
Residency or advanced clinical training normally does not count toward the service obligation.
What Happens If You Break the Agreement?
The VA HPSP award is not a no-obligation grant. A recipient who withdraws, loses academic standing, refuses placement or fails to complete the required VA employment may be considered in breach.
Consequences can include repayment of tuition, stipends and other scholarship expenses, along with additional damages described in the signed agreement.
Applicants should carefully review the agreement before accepting an award.
How to Apply for the VA HPSP Scholarship
VA applications are completed through its online Application Management System.
Step 1: Confirm Your Profession Is Open
Review the current application announcement and verify that VA is accepting applicants in your healthcare discipline.
Step 2: Create an Application Account
Create one profile in the VA Application Management System. VA recommends providing two active email addresses so important notifications are not missed.
Step 3: Prepare Your Documents
The application package may require:
- VA HPSP application
- Academic verification form
- Academic recommendation
- Professional or employer recommendation
- Resume or curriculum vitae
- College transcripts
- Declaration for Federal Employment
- MCAT information for physician applicants
- SF-50 for current or former federal employees
- Proof of unconditional admission
- Additional occupation-specific documents
Step 4: Request Recommendations Early
At least one recommendation may need to come from an academic representative. Another should generally come from a supervisor, employer or person who has known the applicant professionally for an extended period.
Give recommenders enough time to complete VA forms before the deadline.
Step 5: Submit Every Application Task
An incomplete application may not be reviewed. Applicants should confirm that each document is marked complete inside the application system rather than assuming that uploading a file automatically completes the requirement.
VA HPSP Scholarship Deadline
The 2026 VA HPSP application deadline was February 27, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. That application period has closed.
As of July 2026, VA has not published the next universal HPSP deadline on its main scholarship page. Prospective applicants should monitor official VA scholarship announcements for the 2027 application cycle.
How Competitive Is the VA HPSP Scholarship?
VA does not publish a standard acceptance rate. Selection depends on:
- The number of funded positions
- Current VA staffing shortages
- Academic performance
- Strength of recommendations
- Relevant employment or volunteer experience
- Quality and completeness of the application
- Willingness to relocate
- Eligibility for future VA employment
Meeting the minimum GPA does not guarantee selection.
How to Strengthen Your Application
Use your resume and recommendations to demonstrate:
- Healthcare employment or clinical exposure
- Service to Veterans or underserved communities
- Leadership and teamwork
- Strong academic performance
- Reliability and professional conduct
- Understanding of the VA mission
- Willingness to complete the employment commitment
A focused application showing a genuine interest in serving Veterans will usually be stronger than one discussing only the financial value of the scholarship.
VA HPSP vs. Military HPSP
The programs share a similar name but are not the same.
| Feature | VA HPSP | Military HPSP |
|---|---|---|
| Employer after graduation | Department of Veterans Affairs | U.S. military branch |
| Military commission required | No | Usually yes |
| Work status | Civilian federal employee | Commissioned military officer |
| Primary mission | Treat Veterans in VA facilities | Serve military healthcare needs |
| Location choice | Determined by VA needs | Determined by military needs |
| Minimum commitment | Usually at least two years | Varies by military branch and scholarship length |
Students searching for the VA HPSP nursing scholarship or VA medical school scholarship should make sure they are reading Department of Veterans Affairs requirements rather than Army, Navy or Air Force HPSP information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does VA HPSP pay full tuition?
Yes. The program can pay 100% of approved tuition and required fees directly to the recipient’s school. It also provides monthly and annual stipend support.
How much is the VA HPSP monthly stipend?
VA confirms that recipients receive a monthly stipend, but the current main scholarship page does not publish one permanent dollar amount. Applicants should use the amount stated in their application-cycle materials and award agreement.
Can civilians apply for VA HPSP?
Yes. Civilian U.S. citizens can apply to most eligible disciplines. Veteran status is currently required for physician assistant applicants.
Can permanent residents apply?
No. VA currently requires U.S. citizenship by birth or naturalization. Work visas and resident-alien status are not accepted.
What GPA is required?
The current VA Careers page requires a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale.
Does VA HPSP require military service?
No. Recipients generally work as civilian federal employees at VA healthcare facilities. They do not incur an active-duty military obligation through this program.
Can recipients select their VA hospital?
Placement is determined by VA workforce requirements. Recipients may need to relocate and should not assume that a position will be available near their school or home.
Can current VA employees apply?
Some VA employees may qualify, but additional rules apply. The FY26 handbook states that full-time VA employees receiving HPSP support are not eligible for the monthly stipend.
Is the Vet Center Scholarship the same as regular HPSP?
No. The HPSP Vet Center Scholarship focuses on behavioral health professions and carries a six-year service obligation. It generally covers the final two years of an eligible program.
Final Takeaway
The VA HPSP Scholarship can eliminate most of the direct educational cost of an approved healthcare degree while providing a monthly stipend and a clear path to federal employment.
The program is best suited to students who are committed to serving Veterans, willing to relocate and prepared to complete a binding full-time VA service obligation. Before applying, verify that your profession is included in the current cycle, confirm your school’s accreditation and begin collecting recommendations and academic documents well before the deadline.