Education Assistance: U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corp

The U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps offers three excellent opportunities for students to serve their country while completing or continuing their education. If you are interested in a public health career, we encourage you to apply to the Junior Commissioned Officer Student Training and Extern Program (JRCOSTEP) and/or the Senior Commissioned Officer Student Training and Extern Program (SRCOSTEP).. All three programs offer excellent benefits and are highly competitive. For more information or to find out if you are eligible to apply, Click on “Apply Now” to take the prescreen. COSTEP Applicants can apply for both programs.

JRCOSTEP

SRCOSTEP

USU School of Medicine

NHSC

If you have questions about COSTEP please join our upcoming conference call on the following date and time (Eastern Standard):

December 29, 2011: 12 PM

NEW Call-in number: 866-705-5819
Passcode: 1633181

Junior Commissioned Officer Student Training and Extern Program (JRCOSTEP)

Are you looking for an opportunity to meet leaders in public health, gain valuable professional experience, and be paid for your work while you complete your health-related education? Consider the JRCOSTEP. JRCOSTEP training and extern positions are available to students who have completed at least 1 year of study in a master's or doctoral program or at least 2 years of study in a professionally accredited baccalaureate program in specific health disciplines and meet other program requirements. In recent years most JRCOSTEPs are in a variety of fields such as environmental health, pharmacy, engineering, nursing, and dentistry. JRCOSTEP participants work in the same exciting Federal agencies and programs as full Commissioned Corps officers do. Typical assignments in locations throughout the country vary from 31 up to 120 days during official school breaks. Most JRCOSTEP participants are hired for the summer months (i.e., June, July, August). They are not obligated to serve in the Commissioned Corps after graduation, but may decide to serve an extended active-duty assignment after they complete their professional education. For more information or to find out if you are eligible to apply, Click on "Apply Now" to take the prescreen. Click on JRCOSTEP testimonials to read a few firsthand accounts by program participants, and click on JRCOSTEP Frequently Asked Questions for more information.

Applicants for JRCOSTEP who currently are in the next-to-last year of their professional education also may apply for SRCOSTEP.

Senior Commissioned Officer Student Training and Extern Program (SRCOSTEP)

Are you looking for financial assistance to complete your education for a public health career? Consider SRCOSTEP - available to full time students during their final year of academic study or professional training. The program of study must lead to the completion of the academic and professional requirements outlined on our website by professional discipline. Those selected for the program can receive pay and benefits of an active duty officer at the O-1 level for up to 12 months while completing their academic or professional training. Applications are accepted from all Commissioned Corps eligible areas of study, though clinical positions (e.g. nurses, nurse practitioners, pharmacists and physician assistants) are most often selected. In return for financial assistance, SRCOSTEP participants agree to work for the sponsoring agency as a Commissioned Corps Officer after graduation. The service obligation is equal to twice the time sponsored; that is, for 9 months of financial support, a SRCOSTEP participant commits to 18 months of employment with the division or organization that provided the support. Click on SRCOSTEP testimonials to read a few firsthand accounts by program participants, and click on SRCOSTEP Frequently Asked Questions for more information. To find out if you are eligible to apply, Click on "Apply Now" to take the prescreen. Candidates that are interested in applying for SRCOSTEP are encouraged to apply for JRCOSTEP (this can be done on the same application).

Application Due Dates for SRCOSTEP

For Students Graduating:	SRCOSTEP Application Due Date:
Spring, Summer, or Fall 2011	September 1, 2009 - December 31, 2009
Spring, Summer, or Fall 2012	September 1, 2010 - December 31, 2010
Spring, Summer, or Fall 2013	September 1, 2011 - December 31, 2011
Spring, Summer, or Fall 2014	September 1, 2012 - December 31, 2012

Commissioned Corps Officer Opportunities at the USU School of Medicine

The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) is a health science university run by the federal government, providing training to military physicians, nurses and educators. Currently, you can attend the USU F. Edward School of Medicine as a Public Health Service officer through one of two agencies, either the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases or the Department of Health and Human Services’ Indian Health Service.

National Health Service Corps (NHSC)

The NHSC Scholarship Program is a competitive federal program that awards scholarships to students in return for a commitment to provide care in underserved communities. The scholarships are available to students pursuing a degree in the following primary care health professions:

• Allopathic medicine
• Dentistry
• Nurse practitioner specializing in adult, family, geriatrics, pediatrics, psychiatric, or women’s health, nurse-midwife
• Osteopathic medicine
• Physician assistant

Thank you for your interest in United States Public Health Service Student Programs through which you can serve your country while also completing your education and earning valuable work experience.