First hand information on the Army Reserve STRAP program

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Does anyone have any first hand experience with the Army Reserve STRAP program? I am an Associate Degree RN looking to finish my BSN as soon as financially possible. I've been thinking about the Reserves for a number of reasons, not just to get my education paid for. I would be interested in hearing back from anyone who has first hand knowledge of this program....positive and negative feedback welcome. This is not a decision I will be making lightly. Thanks much!

Specializes in Emergency Nursing, Critical care nursing.
When you complete your RN-BSN program, the government will then repay your outstanding loans off. $20,000 for 1 year of service, another $20,000 for 2 years of service, and an additional $10,000 if you sign to serve for 3 years.

When I spoke with the lady in charge of incentives at HRC she told me that I will get 1 payment after I have been in for a year of $20,000. My program is only 18 months long and ends 12/2010. They pay the stipend on your anniversary date. Then I will not get another payment until I finish my STRAP obligation of 3 years, since I received the stipend for 18 months. My obligation begins immediately after I graduate. She told me that I cannot get the loan repayment during those 3 years that I am paying back my obligation for STRAP. During that time she said I would have to make my own payment on my loans. After that, they would continue to make the final 2 payments.

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When I spoke with the lady in charge of incentives at HRC she told me that I will get 1 payment after I have been in for a year of $20,000. My program is only 18 months long and ends 12/2010. They pay the stipend on your anniversary date. Then I will not get another payment until I finish my STRAP obligation of 3 years, since I received the stipend for 18 months. My obligation begins immediately after I graduate. She told me that I cannot get the loan repayment during those 3 years that I am paying back my obligation for STRAP. During that time she said I would have to make my own payment on my loans. After that, they would continue to make the final 2 payments.

Everything she told you was exactly what I was told as well.:up:

It sounds like you have the information you need.

It's nice having that STRAP stipend isn't it:wink2:

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing, Critical care nursing.

It's beautiful right now! :)

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I have a question for the OP-how does your credit have to be for the clearance?

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Oh and another ? too please..if you join the Reserves, you go in as an O1, right? While you complete your BSN under the STRAP program do you advance in rank during that time as well??

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing, Critical care nursing.

In terms of credit, I think it is only a problem if you are in default on a lot of things. I really don't know. With regards to promotion. I think you can promote to first lieutenant while in STRAP.They have forms which you submit to your dean and teachers to get recommendations. You submit that to the promotion board when it is time.

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Specializes in Med Surg, Family Medicine, Urgent Care.

I am in STRAP now, but does anyone know if I have to stay a full time student. Can I go half time?

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I am in STRAP now, but does anyone know if I have to stay a full time student. Can I go half time?

You have to take at least 50% of the courseload required to be at full-time status at the school.

Source: USAREC Reg 601-37, Chapter 22-1, (e)

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Specializes in Neuro ICU.

DIC Harwould I tried to look up this source on the web but could not find. If you have a link or something please post it. The reason I ask is because the requirement for the rn-bsn portion of my program is not full-time. We take about 9-11hours per semester. So I would have to take an extra class (ex: PE, art, etc) although I don't need it to graduate.

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DIC Harwould I tried to look up this source on the web but could not find. If you have a link or something please post it. The reason I ask is because the requirement for the rn-bsn portion of my program is not full-time. We take about 9-11hours per semester. So I would have to take an extra class (ex: PE, art, etc) although I don't need it to graduate.

As a requirement of the STRAP, we are only authorized to be enrolled in classes that are related to our degree only. So we can't take any general education classes unfortunately.

Having said that, the regulation which states that we only need to be at 50% course load is:

http://www.usarec.army.mil/im/formpub/REC_PUBS/R601_37.pdf

"e. Enrollees must earn 50 percent of the credit

hours required for full-time, year-round student

status at their educational institution to receive

stipend."

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Specializes in Neuro ICU.

Thanks for the response! I e-mailed this to my healthcare recruiter for clarification. My packet is before the board currently. I'm hoping to be approved for commission.

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Thanks for the response! I e-mailed this to my healthcare recruiter for clarification. My packet is before the board currently. I'm hoping to be approved for commission.

You're welcome.

Sept 8th-10th board? Good luck :wink2:

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