U.S. ARMY COMBATS RISING EDUCATION COSTS WITH SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY

As the cost of college education continues to rise, individuals considering a career in health care often accrue an educational debt nearing six figures. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, the mean debt of medical school graduates is now close to $100,000.

Today's aspiring health care professionals do have a viable scholarship opportunity, however, that pays for 100 percent of graduate school costs, among other benefits.

For qualified individuals, the U.S. Army Health Care Department's F. Hébert Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) pays tuition for one- to four-year graduate programs, including books and fees, and provides a monthly allowance.

"I'm four years out of my surgical training, I'm the chief of a community hospital, general surgical service, and my education is paid for—I don't have any loans to repay after medical school and five years of general surgery training," says Maj. Thomas McCrorey, a surgeon in the U.S. Army. "I have a great medical system to work in, and I have the honor of being able to care for soldiers, our nation's sons and daughters."

In exchange for their full time education, scholarship recipients become members of one of the most comprehensive and dynamic health care organizations in the world—the Army Health Care Team.

Either before or after the first year of graduate health care education, scholarship recipients attend the officer basic course at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Students then become second lieutenants—Officers—in the Army Reserve, serving and training at an Army Health Care facility for six weeks of each year in school.

Active Duty obligation is one year for each year individuals receive the HPSP, with the minimum obligation dependant on the health care field entered.

As a member of the Army Health Care Team, Officers have an abundance of resources to develop their careers after graduation. Army professionals can practice in their chosen field, continue their education and gain further credentials through Army or civilian training and have the option to research or teach.

Army Health Care Professionals also have a wide variety of options for relocation and travel. With locations in the U.S. and abroad, they work and train at state-of-the-art facilities, utilize the latest high-tech equipment, and provide the highest quality care while supporting America's soldiers and their families.

"It is essential for college students contemplating a career in the health care profession to consider the benefits military service offers in terms of finance and training," says Col. David Baker, director of U.S. Army Health Services Directorate. "Now more than ever, we need highly qualified individuals to answer the call of service and ensure the Army's success anywhere in the world."

From nurses and entomologists to veterinarians, dietitians and physicians, Army Health Care offers more than 90 professional health care career paths—more than any other military service. Army Health Care annually employs more than 73,500 Active Duty professionals and 72,000 Reserves, interacting with more than 200,000 patients on an average day.

One of the largest health care networks in the world, AMEDD operates more than 600 world-renowned hospitals, clinics and facilities around the globe. AMEDD encompasses six corps of medical service: Dental, Medical, Medical Service, Medical Specialist, Nurse and Veterinary.