Student set for medical college with Air Force scholarship

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jennifer Lindsey
  • Air Force Recruiting Service Public Affairs
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) --  As most 18-year-old students in the U.S. brush up on their grammar skills for college English 101 in the fall, Maria Kravchenko reviews advanced chemistry for medical school with help from the Air Force Medical Corps Health Professions Scholarship Program.

Following graduation from the University of Florida in May, the Ukrainian-born U.S. citizen sought financial aid to continue her education. A call from the local Air Force recruiter provided her the answer. The scholarship would allow Ms. Kravchenko to devote her time to her studies at the University of Florida College of Medicine without financial worries.

Under the four-year program, Ms. Kravchenko's tuition, fees, books, equipment and other various educational expenses are covered. Additionally, she qualified for, and accepted, the $20,000 Critical Skills Accession Bonus offered through Sept. 30, 2009.

"This scholarship is ideal for students, such as Maria, who take their education seriously, look forward to gaining leadership skills and just seek the means to meet their goals of becoming a medical professional," said Tech. Sgt. Robert Archuleta, the 336th Recruiting Squadron health professions recruiter assisting Ms. Kravchenko.

Although she's young, four or more years ahead of most of her medical school peers, Ms. Kravchenko said she looks forward to the next four years. She enjoyed college at age 14, and the home-schooling discipline that led her to earn a high school equivalency diploma while taking community college classes as barely a teenager prepared her well for the challenge. Becoming a doctor will give her the opportunity "to give back to society," she said.

On Aug. 7, Ms. Kravchenko was commissioned as an Air Force Reserve second lieutenant by retired Brig. Gen. James Albritton, a friend of the Kravchenko family. Lieutenant Kravchenko will serve on inactive-duty status during her medical school training. In return, she will attend Officer Training School and medical officer training and serve 45 days of active duty per year, during which she will receive pay and entitlements.

"I had the privilege of interviewing Maria during her application process," said Lt. Col. Richard Van Hook, 336th Recruiting Squadron commander. "I knew going in that I'd be dealing with someone extremely intelligent, but what struck me most is just how mature she is beyond her years. Maria is quite possibly the youngest officer in the U.S. Air Force today."

Following graduation, Lieutenant Kravchenko can look forward to being promoted to captain and complete postgraduate training while serving on active-duty status in a military medical facility or in a civilian residency program. After postgraduate training, she will serve a minimum of four years on active-duty, at a rate of one year for every year of medical school sponsored.

Currently the Air Force has awarded 253 of the 261 scholarships available for 2008, and students are encouraged to apply by contacting their local health professions recruiter, said Maj. Risa Riepma, Air Force Recruiting Service Medical Officer Accessions Branch chief.

Recruiter locations and contact information are available by clicking on the www.airforce.com Web site's "Recruiter Locator" link.

Select enlisted Airmen with approved separation dates also can qualify for the scholarship program and bonus. Active-duty members, and U.S. Air Force Academy and Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets interested in the program should call the Air Force Personnel Center at 1-800-531-5800, ext. 1, for more information. 

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