The U.S. Army has announced that it will provide a new financial aid option for those interested in attending graduate school after they have obtained a bachelors degree in a healthcare-focused field, such as psychology.

The U.S. Army Medical Department will begin offering the F. Edward Hebert Armed Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) for students pursuing higher education in medicine, dentistry, veterinary science, psychiatric nursing, optometry or psychology.

Online masters programs in psychology may provide ample preparation for a demanding career with the army, which is required of program graduates after they complete their degree programs.

Recipients of the scholarship will have their tuition costs – including books, equipment and most academic fees – covered. HPSP participants will also be eligible for a $20,000 sign-on bonus.

Throughout the students’ two-, three- or four-year course of study, the army will provide winners with a monthly stipend of $1,992 to ensure they are focused on being full-time students rather than taking part-time jobs to cover living costs.

In return, scholarship recipients will be obligated to army service, which will commence during school breaks. Students will be paid an officer’s salary during vacation times, when they will train to be part of the army’s health care team.

After graduation, HPSP awardees will be required to perform active duty service and enter the army at the rank of captain. Students commit to serve for a minimum of one year for every year they received the scholarship.

The new captains will be provided with a monthly allowance for food and lodging and have the opportunity to earn promotions and consequent salary increases. They may also strive for residency and fellowship programs, which require an extended service obligation.

HPSP participants will also receive the full benefits of active duty officers, including continuing education, inexpensive or free medical and dental care, housing or a housing allowance, travel opportunities, retirement benefits and savings plans, low-cost life insurance as well as vacation time.

Colonel Rafael Montagno, commander of the army’s Medical Recruiting Brigade, said the program is intended to “help finance the education and training for…medical professionals” and preventing the “significant debt” that comes with a masters program, such as an online psychology degree.

Such opportunities may also address shortages of health care professionals nationwide, such as the potential nursing shortage in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Hampshire that could leave hospitals with fewer nurses than they need within ten years, the Boston Herald reported.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens with a baccalaureate degree, be accepted into an accredited university or online masters degree program in a specialty such as psychology, maintain full-time status throughout the program and qualify to be a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army Reserve.

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