Military Health Professions Loan Repayment Program
Those who graduate from medical school face heavy student loan debt, which can dictate career choices, pushing them toward high-paying private practices instead of public service. The U.S. military offers an incentive that can help. It’s known as the Health Professions Loan Repayment Program (HPLRP).
The program repays qualifying educational loans in exchange for service as a commissioned officer in the United States military.
Military Health Professions Loan Repayment Program
HPLRP is a contractual incentive, not a benefit or entitlement. A qualified health professional agrees to serve for a specified time in Active Duty or the Reserve in return for the federal government offering money toward qualifying student loans.
The program is not the same as what’s offered by its more famous counterpart, the Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) which pays for medical school while the student is attending.
HPLRP is for graduates with existing educational debt. The program has, in the past, offered up to $40,000 per year (for active duty troops) for several years, applied directly to the loan principal. This may total over $120,000, and caps may be higher in high-need fields depending on circumstances.
Who Qualifies for HPLRP?
Eligibility is precise and depends on the “needs of the service.” A qualifying degree does not guarantee an offer. The military targets critical-need specialties annually and those needs are subject to change from year to year. The professions most commonly sought for HPLRP are those in high demand. These often include:
- Physicians (MD or DO). Specific specialties like general surgery, orthopedic surgery, psychiatry, and family medicine.
- Dentists (DDS or DMD). General dentists and specialists like oral surgeons or endodontists.
- Nurses. Particularly those with advanced degrees, such as Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), Nurse Practitioners (NPs), and mental health nurses.
- Mental Health Professionals. Clinical or counseling psychologists (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) and Licensed Clinical Social Workers (MSW).
- Other Key Fields. Veterinarians, pharmacists, and optometrists may also be eligible, depending on current needs.
Active Duty vs. Reserves
The HPLRP commitment differs between Active Duty and Reserve service.
An Active Duty HPLRP applicant agrees to serve full-time as an officer. A typical agreement is three or four years. In exchange, they receive the highest loan repayment, past options have gone as high as $40,000 per year.
HPLRP is also a key incentive for members of the Reserve. The financial benefit and time commitment are typically lower. An Army Reserve professional might receive $20,000 per year (capped at $60,000) for a three-year “Selected Reserve” (SELRES) contract.
This requires maintaining a civilian career while serving one weekend a month and two weeks a year. This option is for professionals who want to maintain their civilian career and reduce student debt.
The Fine Print
The most important factor is taxation. Unlike some other military education benefits, HPLRP payments may be considered taxable income depending on tax laws in the year you earn them.
A $40,000 payment is not $40,000 of debt relief. The service member must pay income tax on that amount. This can reduce the net benefit by 25-35% or more.
Furthermore, the loans must be “qualifying.” This means government or commercial loans for health profession education. Loans consolidated with non-educational debt are typically ineligible.
Breaching the contract has serious consequences. Failure to complete the service obligation usually requires repaying a prorated amount of the loan repayment and may lead to other disciplinary actions.
Advice for Applicants
Talk to a Recruiter Early. Start the conversation with a specialized health professions recruiter for your branch of interest at least a year before you hope to join. They have the most current information on eligible specialties.
Be Flexible. HPLRP is an incentive program, not a standard benefit. The specialties that qualify change annually based on military needs. The program may not be available for your specialty when you apply.
Read the Contract. Before signing, read every word. Pay special attention to the service obligation, the exact repayment amount, and the clauses regarding taxation and breach of contract.
Get Your Paperwork in Order. You will need detailed documentation for all your qualifying loans, including promissory notes and current statements. Consolidating private or non-educational loans with your qualifying student loans can make you ineligible.
Compare Components. Carefully weigh the benefits of Active Duty versus the Reserves. Active Duty offers higher, faster repayment, while the Reserves allows you to maintain your civilian career.
For More Information
Program details, eligible specialties, and repayment amounts change frequently based on the needs of each service. For the most current information, please refer to the official recruiting resources:
Marines and Guardians may find opportunities more limited than those who apply for Navy, Air Force, or Army versions of the same program.
About the author
Editor-in-Chief Joe Wallace is a 13-year veteran of the United States Air Force and a former reporter/editor for Air Force Television News and the Pentagon Channel. His freelance work includes contract work for Motorola, VALoans.com, and Credit Karma. He is co-founder of Dim Art House in Springfield, Illinois, and spends his non-writing time as an abstract painter, independent publisher, and occasional filmmaker.
