Invest in your future with VA
Scholarships, stipends, and paid training for high-need health careers—all with a VA job after you graduate and get licensed.
Creating Future VA Health Care Professionals
VA offers several scholarship programs for aspiring health care professionals in exchange for their service in a critical occupation at a VA medical facility. If you have a call to our mission of improving the lives of Veterans, we encourage you to apply.
Benefits at a glance
- Full tuition at a U.S. regionally accredited school.
- Monthly stipend to help with living expenses.
- Annual book stipend for instructional materials.
- Career at VA after you graduate and meet VA qualification standards.
Eligibility at a glance
- Full-time enrollment in a qualifying program at a U.S. regionally accredited college or university.
- 3.3 cumulative GPA (CGPA) with official transcript. Transcripts must show 15 earned credit hours within the past 5 years at the time of applying.
- Must be able to pass background check and gain security clearance. Must be a US. Citizen, and 18 years of age or older.
- Not in default or delinquent on federal debt.
Health Professional Scholarship Program (HPSP)
HPSP awards scholarships to students receiving education/training in a health care services discipline. In exchange, you agree to serve in a VA health care facility for a minimum 2-year service obligation.
Service obligation times may vary and based on specific health care occupations.
Enrollment
- Unconditionally accepted in the accredited academic program that will qualify for employment in one of the professional fields associated with the scholarship program. Proof of enrollment and unconditional acceptance must be provided at time of application.
- Academic institution must be located within the U.S., accredited, and at the educational level required.
- Dual enrollment, dual majors, pre-requisite courses, or multiple applications are not considered.
Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA)
- Have a 3.3 CGPA using a current transcript that shows 15 earned credit hours within the past 5 years at the time of application. Transcripts outside the 5-year period or that show less than 15 earned credit hours will automatically be removed for consideration.
- Pass/Fail courses are accepted. An official letter from your academic institution must outline the converted CGPA to a 4.0 scale with total credit hours earned.
Citizenship and Age
- 18 years of age or older.
- U.S. Citizen as defined by birth or naturalization. NOTE: Work Visas and Resident Alien are not accepted.
- Pass background checks, security clearance, or other pre-onboarding requirements as determined by VA.
- Veteran status is not required for any of the eligible programs listed. Veteran status is however required for the Physician Assistant (PA program).
- Cannot be completing an existing service obligation to another program, federal agency, or entity at time of application.
Federal Debt
- Not in default or delinquent on any federal debt. Defined as 31 days past due on a scheduled payment, taxes, audit disallowances, guaranteed or direct student loans, Federal Housing Administration (FHA) or VA mortgages, and other miscellaneous administrative debt.
Visual Impairment and Orientation and Mobility Professionals Scholarship Program (VIOMPSP)
VIOMPSP awards scholarships to students seeking a degree or certificate in visual impairment or orientation and mobility. In exchange, students agree to a minimum 3-year service obligation at a VA health care facility.
The scholarship is offered to the following specialty occupations:
- Certified Visual Rehabilitation Therapist (CVRT)
- Certified Low Vision Therapist (CLVT)
- Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists (COMS)
- Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialists (CATIS)
Enrollment
- Enrolled as a full-time student in an accredited academic program leading up to meeting the qualification standards for employment. Education programs must lead to a certification granted by the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Education Professionals (ACVREP).
- Only Available to VA Employees: Enrolled as a part-time student in an accredited academic program leading up to meeting the qualification standards for employment based on qualification standards. Education programs must lead to a certification granted by ACVREP.
Citizenship and Age
- 18 years of age or older.
- U.S. Citizen as defined by birth or naturalization. NOTE: Work Visas and Resident Alien are not accepted.
- Pass background checks, security clearance, or other pre-onboarding requirements as determined by VA.
- Cannot be completing an existing obligation to another program, federal agency, or entity at time of application.
Program Coverage
- Full Time Status: Up to $15,000 per academic year up to a maximum of 4 years to complete education (cumulative total award of $45,000).
- Only Available to VA Employees (Part Time Status): Awarded for a minimum of 1 academic year to a maximum of 6 academic years to compete.
HPSP Vet Center (Readjustment Counseling Service) Scholarship
The HPSP Vet Center (Readjustment Counseling Service) Scholarship supports health care professionals who are pursuing a full-time education in a behavioral health discipline. Disciplines include: Psychology, Social Work, Licensed Professional Mental Health Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy.
Vet Centers are community-based counseling centers that offer a wide range of social and psychological services to Veterans.
The HPSP Vet Center Scholarship falls under the HPSP Scholarship Program however, there are several components that differ, which include the service obligation, employment, and funding.
- Service obligations: 6-year obligated service period required in exchange for the scholarship award.
- Employment and Placement: Vet Center Locations are not VA medical centers (VAMCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), or other locations offering services leased by VA.
- Funding: Covers the last two years in the program of study. Psychology internships do not account for nor are included in the 2-year period.
Enrollment
- Enrolled in an accredited academic program leading up to meeting the qualification standards for employment based on the specialty occupation.
- Academic institution must be located within the U.S., accredited, and at the educational level required.
- Dual enrollment, dual majors, pre-requisite courses, or multiple applications are not considered.
Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA)
- Have a 3.3 CGPA using a current transcript that shows 15 earned credit hours within the past 5 years at the time of application. Transcripts outside the 5-year period or that show less than 15 earned credit hours will automatically be removed for consideration.
- Pass/Fail courses are accepted. An official letter from your academic institution must outline the converted CGPA to a 4.0 scale with total credit hours earned.
Citizenship and Age
- 18 years of age or older.
- U.S. Citizen as defined by birth or naturalization. NOTE: Work Visas and Resident Alien are not accepted.
- Pass background checks, security clearance, or other pre-onboarding requirements as determined by VA.
- Cannot be completing an existing service obligation to another program, federal agency, or entity at time of application.
Federal Debt
- Not in default or delinquent on any federal debt. Defined as 31 days past due on a scheduled payment, taxes, audit disallowances, guaranteed or direct student loans, Federal Housing Administration (FHA) or VA mortgages, and other miscellaneous administrative debt.
How to apply
- Create your account in the Application Management System (AMS). Use 1 user profile and provide 2 email addresses for communication.
- Prepare documents which include your:
- Application
- Academic Verification
- Recommendations
- Resume
- Transcripts
- Declaration for Federal Employment
- SF50 (for current or former VA employees)
- Start early and complete each task on time; some items require coordination with your school or other entities.
- Submit by the deadline. If you edit after submitting, file an addendum and ensure all items are complete before the window closes.
- Complete the online application. Paper, scanned, or emailed applications aren’t accepted. Use a reliable internet connection and modern browser.
Opens: January 12, 2026
Closes: February 27, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET
NOTE: All applications must be submitted via the AMS by 11:59 p.m. ET. Failure to submit or incomplete applications will not be considered.
Start your applicationSystem requirements
- Reliable internet access.
- Modern web browser.
- Ability to upload required documents.
What to expect after applying
Candidates that meet the minimal eligibility requirements will be reviewed by the VHA Scholarship Committee. After the committee has made the selections, referrals are then sent to the national program manager and director who will decide which applicants will be selected and awarded the scholarship.
During the application process, we encourage applicants to refer to this page and explore additional resources and monitor the email addresses provided for any updates. During the selection process, we receive a high volume of inquiries and won’t be able to provide any information or updates until selections are complete.
Frequently asked questions
No. NOTE: For the Physician Assistant (PA) Program, Veteran Status is required.
Yes. Recipients must be willing to relocate (at their own expense) after earning their degree and meet all VA qualification standards in the specific healthcare occupation I which the scholarship awarded was awarded for.
Yes. You must be enrolled full-time in a program of study at a regionally accredited U.S. college or university in which the scholarship was awarded for.
No. Only 1 application per user is reviewed; duplicate accounts or applications aren’t accepted.
The scholarship starts the first day of the next semester following the HPSP agreement (contract) signed by the recipient and the VA Under Secretary of Health (USH) or designee.
No, stipends are “Tax Free”.
Deadlines are posted on the HPSP website.
Get help
Email HPSPTeam@va.gov for additional help. We are available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET (closed on federal holidays).
Attend Scholarship Events and information sessions.
More opportunities for students and recent grads
We’re proud to offer numerous avenues to further develop your health care career.
VA Student Trainee Experience Program (VA-STEP)
Paid, hands-on experience for students in nursing, medical laboratory science, and pharmacy programs.
Specialty Education Loan Repayment Program (SELRP)
For physicians in residency; repays qualifying educational loans tied to a VA service obligation.
