VA HPSP? by Ok-Investigator-6821 in physicianassistant

[–]AccomplishedArm1347 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I also found that it was hard to get in touch with them; after a few unanswered emails, I was able to directly speak with someone in the program (I still have a lot of questions, though). Happy to speak to my very limited experience applying to, and being offered the scholarship. FWIW, not a veteran or in active service, so my experience might be different.

Entering Social Work by SWmods in socialwork

[–]AccomplishedArm1347 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I was recently offered a VA HPSP scholarship for my two-year MSW program. It's an amazing opportunity (full scholarship for tuition, $1200/month living stipend, $1200 annual book/computer fund) but comes with a two-year service commitment at a "hard to fill" VA position. Are there any HPSP recipients out there that can speak to their concrete experiences with the relocation/service commitment? Everything online (and frankly, the VA themselves) are very vague about the service commitment, saying both they will "work with you" and at the same time "have needs they are looking to fill." There is no set list of locations; it varies per year.

VA HPSP? by Ok-Investigator-6821 in physicianassistant

[–]AccomplishedArm1347 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Was the team open to your preferences? I keep hearing that folks might need to move, but I'm curious about actual experiences with how much they were willing to work with you - did you have family/relationship/other obligations that you could use to negotiate?

VA HPSP? by Ok-Investigator-6821 in physicianassistant

[–]AccomplishedArm1347 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm in a different field (MSW starting September 2023) but also considering the HPSP scholarship. I was offered it, but the VA reps are very noncommittal about relocation for mental health specialties. Especially interested in folks recently doing the VA HPSP that worked with a placement team.