FAQs

1. Why is it so important to ensure that my contact information is correct on the HPSP website?
2. What should I do if I receive benefits (i.e. excess stipend) that I am not entitled to?
3. How do I obtain a W-2 form for my military pay?
4. Who do I contact about travel vouchers and per diem reimbursements for active duty for training (ADT)?
5. Who do I contact if I have pay issues (i.e. stipend, book reimbursement, etc.)?
6. I’ve recently changed banks, how do I switch my Direct Deposit?
7. What expenses does the HPSP cover?
8. When are my expenses not covered by the HPSP?
9. When will I stop receiving the stipend?
10. I’ve recently switched veterinary schools, how do I redirect my HPSP tuition payments?
11. What do I need to do to ensure that my tuition is paid by the HPSP?
12. Who do I contact if my tuition has not been paid on time?
13. I accepted the Health Professions Scholarship after the quarter/semester began, how is tuition for this term going to be paid?
14. Due to unforeseen circumstances, I’m not going to be able to graduate on time. Is it possible to extend my scholarship to cover the additional time that it will take to finish school?
15. What type of pay am I entitled to when I am doing my active duty for training (ADT)?

1. Why is it so important to ensure that my contact information is correct on the HPSP website? (HPSP Handbook 3-1c)

It is essential for you to maintain current contact information on the medical education website, to include the following: local and permanent addresses, phone numbers, e-mail address, and name changes. If your contact information is incorrect, you place yourself at risk for missing key information to your future success. In addition, your scholarship and stipend may be discontinued until your contact information is updated.

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2. What should I do if I receive benefits (i.e. excess stipend) that I am not entitled to? (HPSP Handbook 3-1d)

Contact your local Health Care Recruiter or HPSP Advisor immediately if you know, or suspect that you have received money from the government that you are not entitled to. You may be held criminally liable for collecting funds from the government that you are not entitled to. In addition to criminal charges, you may also jeopardize your scholarship. When in doubt, ask! Pleading ignorance is not a viable excuse when it comes to government funds.

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3. How do I obtain a W-2 form for my military pay? (HPSP Handbook 3-2a)

The Defense Finance and Accounting Service – San Antonio TX ( DFAS-SA, TX), issues W-2 Forms (Wage and Earning Statement) and can be contacted at 1-800-531-1114 ext. 2388/2862/2958, for replacements. Written requests for the W-2 Form must contain the name, social security number, current mailing address, active duty period(s), year(s) requested and payroll signature and are submitted to: DFAS-IN, ATTN: Customer Service, 8899 E. 56th St., Indianapolis, IN, 46249-0865.

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4. Who do I contact about travel vouchers and per diem reimbursements for active duty for training (ADT)? (HPSP Handbook 3-2a)

The Defense Finance And Accounting Service – Indianapolis, IN (DFAS-IN) processes travel and per diem pays for active duty training. Submit active duty for training (ADT) travel settlement vouchers to: DFAS-IN (DNO), DEPT 3700, 8899 56Th Street, Indianapolis, IN, 46249-3714 and to check status call (888) 332-7366.

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5. Who do I contact if I have pay issues (i.e. stipend, book reimbursement, etc.)? (HPSP Handbook 3-2b)

The Ft. Sam Houston, TX, DFAS office is the financial processing agent for HPSP members and may be contacted at 1-800-531-1114, ext. 2388/2862/2958. The mailing address is: Defense Military Pay Office, ATTN: HPSP, Room 115, 1706 Stanley Rd., Bldg 2263, Ft. Sam Houston, TX, 78234-5023. This office: processes pay transactions for military pay, stipend and reimbursable educational expenses (i.e. books); maintains financial records; and provides monthly Leave and Earning Statements (LES).

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6. I’ve recently changed banks, how do I switch my Direct Deposit? ( HPSP Handbook 3-2c)

Obtain a Direct Deposit Form (Standard Form 1199A) from the new financial institution.

Mail the “government agency copy” and a written request to redirect your Direct Deposit to: Defense Military Pay Office, ATTN: HPSP, Room 115, 1706 Stanley Rd., Bldg 2263, Ft. Sam Houston, TX, 78234-5023. NOTE: Do not close the original bank account until you have received your military pay in the new account, otherwise you risk losing each misdirected payment.

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7. What expenses does the HPSP cover? (HPSP Handbook 3-3a,c)

The HPSP will cover authorized tuition, fees, reimbursable expenses (books, nonexpendable supplies and equipment) and a stipend that will be split into two equal payments to be distributed on the 1 st and 15 th of each month during the academic year. See Chapter 7 of the HPSP Handbook for a description of what constitutes reimbursable expenses.

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8. When are my expenses not covered by the HPSP? (HPSP Handbook 3-3)

Entitlements are not authorized and students are liable for any period: preceding HPSP entry; following school disenrollment; HPSP termination or graduation; during leave of absence (see chapter 8 of the HPSP Handbook); during remediation of courses; for courses that are not required for graduation, part of the normal academic curriculum, for the school on record, or authorized expenses; following licensure examination failure; preceding eligibility or following loss of eligibility for military service or the scholarship; during participation in a preparatory or decelerated academic curriculum; upon loss of full-time student status; and during the summer months between academic years when.

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9. When will I stop receiving the stipend? (HPSP Handbook 3-3c)

Stipend terminates: upon graduation or when academic requirements are completed more than 45 days prior to graduation; during active duty for training (ADT); and during leave of absence (LOA); effective 10 May in the graduation year unless the Student Management Office is notified of the precise graduation date; or as otherwise indicated herein. Students mustnotify the Student Management Office via a letter from the school of the precise graduation date prior to 1 April to avoid discontinuation of stipend on 10 May.

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10. I’ve recently switched veterinary schools, how do I redirect my HPSP tuition payments? (HPSP Handbook 3-3e)

Transfer requests or campus changes must be submitted in writing through the Health Care Recruiter to the Student Management Office. The requests for school transfers of campus changes must be submitted at least 60 days prior to the effective date of the transfer or campus change to avoid payment difficulties. NOTE: The Army rarely authorizes transfers to schools with tuition costs that are higher than the original school where HPSP entry is authorized. If granted, the school and the Army must approve it. School approval does not constitute Army approval. Transfer requests must include: the reason for the transfer; and letters from each school Registrar indicating the proposed disenrollment date from the losing school and the enrollment date into the gaining school. Students must disenroll from the loosing school one day prior to enrollment into the gaining school. Entitlements are not paid for duplicate enrollment and for disenrollment periods. Failure to follow transfer procedures may result in loss of entitlements, termination from the HPSP or personal financial liability. The Student Management Office will make the final determination upon receipt of proper documents.

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11. What do I need to do to ensure that my tuition is paid by the HPSP? (HPSP Handbook 3-3e)

A copy of the HPSP selection letter from the Recruiting Command should be provided to the school billing office to alert them that the Army will pay tuition and fees. A copy of the appointment orders should be provided to the registrar’s office to possibly qualify for the lower in-state (resident) tuition rate. It is your responsibility to check with the school’s tuition office, prior to the due date, to ensure that they have received payment for your tuition. If they have not received payment within a week from the due date, contact your HPSP advisor and ask them to check on the status of the payment. Keep the school’s tuition office updated if you know that your tuition will arrive later than expected, to possibly avoid penalty fees.

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12. Who do I contact if my tuition has not been paid on time?

If you experience problems with your tuition being paid on time, check to make sure that all of the appropriate paperwork has been submitted (i.e. HPSP selection letter to the school’s billing office, a copy of the appointment letter to the registrar’s office). If the correct paperwork has been submitted, and the problem continue, then contact your HPSP advisor.

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 13. I accepted the Health Professions Scholarship after the quarter/semester began, how is tuition for this term going to be paid? (HPSP Handbook 3-3f)

All entitlements are prorated when students delay completing HPSP entry requirements until after the academic term begins. In this instance, entitlements are paid only from the effective date of entry. Students should coordinate with their financial aid office to ensure the appropriate amount of pre-existing loans for tuition and fee payments are properly retained and credited to their accounts for the prorated periods.

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14. Due to unforeseen circumstances, I’m not going to be able to graduate on time. Is it possible to extend my scholarship to cover the additional time that it will take to finish school? (HPSP Handbook 3-3j)

Extension of scholarship entitlements is extremely rare. However, approved extensions result in additional obligation under the terms of the original service agreement. Disapproval automatically results in leave of absence or, if appropriate, may result in disenrollment from the scholarship program. Requests for extension must be forwarded to the Student Management Office.

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15. What type of pay am I entitled to when I am doing my active duty for training (ADT)? (HPSP Handbook 3-5a-g)

• Basic pay and allowances. This is military pay received during active duty for training (ADT) as a second lieutenant. The pay begins on the day ADT begins. Variable Housing Allowance (VHA) is not authorized during ADT.
• Per diem and travel. Per Diem (defrays ADT site expenses) and travel pay (round trip travel between your school and the ADT site) are paid when ADT is performed at a military facility that is not within your local commuting area as prescribed by applicable directives.
• Pay longevity. This isbasic pay commensurate with years of military service.
• Basic allowance for housing (BAH type II). Students are entitled to BAH type II during ADT. Officers without family members are authorized BAH at the "WITHOUT DEPENDENTS" rate. Officers with family members are authorized BAH at the "WITH DEPENDENTS" rate, which is a higher allowance pay rate. Students must provide the appropriate birth (for children) and marriage certificates to receive pay for quarters allowance at the "WITH DEPENDENTS" rate.
• Basic allowance for subsistence (BAS). This is a standard rate paid for meals, regardless of rank, basic pay longevity, or number of family members.
• Uniform allowance. This is a $400 payment to individuals who have not previously received the allowance. Prior service officers will have already received this allowance. Otherwise, HPSP participants may receive $300 when they report to their first military ADT site. The remaining $100 is paid upon entry on active duty. Keep copies of all ADT orders and settlement vouchers (see chapter 4) in order to substantiate later claims for the remaining $100 of this allowance following active duty entry.
• Separation pay. This is pay as prescribed for those who are separated from immediate family members for 30 days or more during ADT. Participants must submit a completed DD Form 1561 (Statement to Substantiate Payment of Family Separation Allowance) to the central finance center along with your travel settlement voucher upon completion of ADT.

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