HPSP Service Obligation

VA HPSP exists to fill the hardest to recruit and retain critical locations across the US in support of our US Veterans. It is critical that you are flexible at the time of graduation/residency completion to fill one of these locations anywhere in the US. If you are not mobile at the time of graduation, VA HPSP may not be a good fit to meet your educational needs. The service to our nations veterans is of paramount importance for the VA HPSP Team to ensure care at the bed side of our veteran population. Your flexibility is key to the success of VA HPSP.

Upon completing their educational program and obtaining licensure/certification, participants work as permanent, full-time VA employees in the occupations for which the scholarship was awarded. Service obligations are year-for-year with a minimum requirement (2-Years) and will be automatically extended for individuals attending residencies and fellowships by half the period of the training. Therefore, a 1-year residency or fellowship will add 6 months to the minimum service obligation.

Below are the minimum HPSP service obligations:

• Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) or Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS), Diagnostic Radiologic Technician (DRT), Pharmacy Technician – 2 years.
• Social worker (MSW), and Psychologist – 2 years
• Nurses (CNA, ADN, LPN, LVN) – 2 years
• Nurses (BSN, MSN, NP) – 2 years
  
  • ATTENTION:
    Nurses who attend a 12-month post education residency programs (PB-RNR, NPR) have a minimum of 2.5-year service obligation effective after completion of the residency and starting when appointed to the position for which employed
• Nurse Practitioner for Mental Health and Nursing scholarship recipients are obligated to complete a minimum of 2.5-year service obligation at a VA health care facility after graduation, passing licensure/certification, and completing an applicable 12-month residency.
• Physician assistants (PA) – 2 years
  
  • ATTENTION:
    Physician Assistants (PA) who attend a 12-month post education residency program have a minimum of 2.5-year service obligation effective after completion of the residency and starting when appointed to the position for which employed.
• Pharmacist (Pharm.D.) – 2 years
  
  • ATTENTION:
    Pharmacists who attend  a 24-month post education residency program have a minimum of 3-year service obligation effective after completion of the residency and starting when appointed to the position for which employed.
• Medical Students (MD/DO) – Recipients are obligated to complete a minimum of 18 months of service, for every year sponsored, at a VA facility after graduation, licensure, and residency.
  
  • ATTENTION:
    Service obligations will be deferred while in a fellowship, and the service obligation will be extended by half the period of deferment (example: A one (1) year fellowship adds six (6) months to the service obligation).
• All HPSP participants sign a Mobility Agreement to relocate at their own expense if required to fulfill their service obligation.

Vet Center Scholarship – Service Obligation (See “NOTE”)

• Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselors (LPMHC) – 6 years
• Marriage and Family Therapists (MFT) – 6 years
• Social worker (MSW) – 6 years
• Psychologist – 6 years.

NOTE – Legislation requires that mental health professionals (Psychologists, MSW, LPMHC, and MFT) who receive the Vet Center scholarship, and who will be placed at Vet Centers across the country, will incur a 6-year
service obligation.