Aggie1 said:
All branches of the military offer similar programs.
True. All branches offer HPSP. The Navy, however, also offers HSCP. It is a far better deal if you go to school where tuition is dirt cheap (like Texas), because you are considered active duty while in school and acquire time in service, and when you graduate you commission as an O3E, instead of just O3.
In HSCP you are paid as an active duty E6 (or E7 if you meet certain requirements). Which is great because you get BAH and BAS and tricare for you and dependents. The catch is that the Navy doesn't pay for school, they pay you your salary and you pay for school and books and required fees (board exam fees, etc). I don't think there is any signing bonus here. If he plans on staying in for any more than 4 years, this will definitely pay off in the long run (assuming he has a desire to be in the Navy). HSCP spots are far more limited than HPSP, if he wants HSCP he needs to start the paperwork in the summer before he graduates from college.
With HPSP, the military pays your tuition (no matter how much it is), they reimburse you for the cost of any required books, fees, equipment (dental kits are expensive), school required health insurance, etc. They also pay you a stipend equivalent of 75% of O1 pay, but no BAH or BAS. You do get 1.5 months out of each year where you're paid at full O1 active duty pay with benefits (BAH & BAS). I think HPSP also has a signing bonus. If he wants to do 4 and get out, or goes to an expensive/private school, or doesn't want to be in the Navy, HPSP is the way to go.