Serving your country while becoming a physician

Several military and federal programs pay for medical school in exchange for a service commitment. For students concerned about the cost of medical education, these programs offer a debt-free path with competitive salaries during training. The tradeoff is a commitment of several years of active duty or service in underserved areas after residency.

Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP)

HPSP is the most widely used military medical scholarship. It is offered by the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The program covers full tuition at any accredited US medical school (MD or DO), provides a monthly living stipend (approximately $2,400 to $2,700 per month as of 2025), and pays for books, equipment, and most fees.

In exchange, you owe one year of active duty service for each year of scholarship. A 4-year HPSP scholarship requires 4 years of active duty after residency. During residency, you are a military physician on active duty, earning a military salary (which is generally comparable to or slightly above civilian residency salaries when factoring in housing and benefits).

Tip
HPSP applications are typically due in the fall before the academic year you want the scholarship to begin. Apply during your first year of medical school or even before matriculation. Each branch has its own application process and deadlines.

You will complete residency in either a military hospital or a civilian program (known as a “deferment”), depending on your specialty and branch. After residency, you serve as a military physician at bases, military hospitals, or deployed locations.

Uniformed Services University (USU)

The Uniformed Services University F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine in Bethesda, Maryland, is a fully accredited medical school operated by the federal government. Students attend tuition-free, receive an active duty military salary throughout medical school (approximately $65,000 per year), and owe a 7-year active duty service commitment after residency. USU graduates are commissioned as officers and serve in the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Public Health Service.

National Health Service Corps (NHSC)

NHSC is not a military program but a federal program administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). The NHSC Scholarship Program pays tuition, fees, and a living stipend in exchange for a commitment to practice primary care (family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, OB/GYN, psychiatry, or dental) in a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) for 2 to 4 years after residency.

NHSC also offers a separate Loan Repayment Program for physicians who have already completed training. This program provides up to $50,000 in loan repayment for a 2-year service commitment, with options to extend.


HPSPMilitary

Full tuition at any school. Monthly stipend. 4-year active duty after residency. Military service required.

USUMilitary

Free tuition + salary during school. 7-year active duty after residency. Must attend USU in Bethesda.

NHSCFederal

Full tuition + stipend. 2-4 year primary care commitment in underserved area. No military service.

State-specific programs

Many states offer their own loan repayment or scholarship programs for physicians who commit to practicing in underserved areas within the state. These vary widely in terms and availability. Check your state’s department of health or our State Resources pages for specific programs.

Is military medicine right for you?

Military medicine offers unique opportunities: trauma training, global health deployments, leadership development, and camaraderie. It also comes with limitations: you may not choose your duty station, you may be deployed, and your specialty options may be constrained by military needs. Talk to current military physicians and HPSP recipients before committing. Most branches have medical recruiting offices that can connect you with mentors.

Related pages

PSLF Guide
Income-Driven Repayment Plans
The True Cost of Becoming a Doctor
Healthcare Careers

Last verified: March 2026