James H. Quillen VA Medical Center
Financial Considerations
Stipend
The Office of Academic Affiliations (OAA) allocates a stipend for James H. Quillen VA Medical Center (JHQVAMC) dietetic interns. Interns will receive $15/hour during their supervised practice.
Please note: The exact total stipend disbursement may vary slightly due to exact hours worked. Dietetic interns will receive the VA stipend only during their approved weeks of supervised training and for hours worked.
Application Fees
- Appropriate application fees sent to DICAS which is $50 for the first program you apply to and $25 for each additional program.
- There is NO SEPARATE APPLICATION FEE for the dietetic internship program.
- Appointees accepted into the Combined MS/Dietetic Internship will be required to apply to the University of Alabama’s Masters in Human Nutrition graduate program (by February 1st) and proof of enrollment will be provided to the dietetic internship director prior to starting the program. There is a $65.00 application fee for this program. For application information, deadlines and course descriptions please visit the university website at Admission Requirements and Materials for UA Graduate School.
Estimated Expenses during supervised practice in Johnson City, TN
*The below items are not covered by the sponsoring facility unless otherwise specified.
- Application fee for internship- $0
- DICAS Application fee- $50 for first designation and $25 for each additional designation
- Housing – varies based on location, size, amenities, etc. Rent may range from $850 to $1600 per month for one bedroom. Utilize links below to obtain more detailed information for your specific needs.
- Personal expenses – varies
- Transportation and parking for field experiences – Parking is free at all VA and affiliate sites.
- Student professional liability insurance for non-VA work - approximately $45 per year
- Personal health insurance – varies. Interns may elect health insurance benefits, which would be deducted from the bi-weekly paycheck.
- Textbooks/reference manuals - $300-$1500
- Student membership dues for the Academy (required)- $58
- Incidental supplies for assignments and projects - $200
- Registration Examination for Dietitians following graduation - $225 to $250 (as of June 2026). For additional information on test costs and test bundles, check out CDR’s information page: RD Exam Overview.
- RD Exam preparation class and material (online) - $200 to $950. It can vary based on the guide, worksheet, class, 1:1 tutoring, etc. that the intern selects.
- Opportunities to attend professional meetings will vary each year, as will the costs.
- Participating in telehealth appointments will require a secure internet connection, computer, camera and microphone. All of these items are furnished by the VA while the intern is under supervised practice and may be used on the VA campus. Interns will have their own workstation at JHQVAMC with a docking station, monitors, printer and access to fax and/or scan documents.
- Scrubs- optional. Not required. VA issued scrubs can be assigned to the intern upon request.
- Application fee for Graduate School with East Tennessee State University (ETSU), if completing the combined MS/DI pathway- $55
- Tuition and Fees for MS Degree with ETSU- Information concerning paying for graduate school can be found at: ETSU Tuition Rates
- MS/DI interns are responsible for their tuition at East Tennessee State University. The Master of Science is a total of 30 credit hours. Information concerning paying for graduate school at ETSU can be found at: Tuition/Fee Tables and Refund Calendars.
- It is recommended that students applying to this pathway check out the ETSU tuition and fees estimator to obtain costs. This can vary depending on whether the student is considered in-state vs. out-of-state, along with enrollment in in-person vs. online courses.
- Per the ETSU website, online courses are $50.00/credit hour.
- Application fee for Graduate School with the University of Alabama (UA), if completing the combined MS/DI pathway- $65
- Tuition and Fees for MS Degree with UA- Information concerning paying for graduate school can be found at: Paying for Graduate School and Cost of Attendance.
- MS/DI interns are responsible for their tuition at the University of Alabama. The Master of Science is a total of 30 credit hours. As of June 2026, there is a charge of $480 per credit hour.
Housing in Johnson City, TN
Information about apartments located near the VA Medical Center can be obtained by checking various apartment locator websites online, such as those noted below. Information about relocating to Johnson City, including best areas to reside and shopping, is provided to matched interns. Becoming a roommate with another intern may be desirable and cost-effective.
www.tricitiesapartmentguide.com
https://www.zillow.com/homes/for_rent/
Transportation in Johnson City
Interns are required to have a personal reliable form of transportation and a valid driver’s license. Johnson City public transportation to rotation sites is sparse and therefore, not encouraged. Should this be selected by the intern, please verify routes and stops to rotations to ensure it does not impact supervised practice. Most affiliate rotation sites are within 30-60 miles from main facility.
Parking at the medical center and affiliate sites is free.
All driver licenses must be REAL IDs for onboarding.
Other Financial Information
- Interns earn annual and sick leave at the rate 4 hours per 2-week pay period. Details will be discussed during Orientation.
- Library privileges at JHQVAMC are provided. This service includes free use of all online library resources, including electronic journal titles and the most popular medical/clinical databases.
- Free access to an intern workspace, computers, and printers including internet access and numerous online reference materials and courses.
- VHA Diet Manual is available online
- Free access to the online Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Nutrition Care Manual and eNCPT Nutrition Terminology Reference Manual.
*Links above will take you outside of the Department of Veterans Affairs Website. VA does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of the linked websites.
