Who really cares?

BarrettaM59

5-Year Member
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Mar 14, 2012
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DS was accepted to all 6 SMCs. Unfortunately none of them have offered him scholarships that would make it feasible for us to send him. He will likely have to attend a local college and live at home for a year.

Is there anyone at the SMCs that would actually care that my DS cannot attend due to finances?

Should we just let the May 1st deadline pass?
 
There are people out here, who care. While I don't have a student at a SMC. Your DS are be very proud of his accomplishment here. And I for one am proud of him. That being said, put this in God's hands, because everything, that happens in our lives, is because he wants it too. Pray without ceasing. I would also suggest, that he accept the school, where he really wants to go.

God Bless to your DS and your family,

RGK
 
They do care, but I think that they are faced with this kind of scenario all too often. I'm not sure what state you are a resident of, (you might have told me this once before) but it sounds as though it is not any of the states that have an SMC. The down side of public colleges is that for the most part they are limited in how much scholarship money they offer- especially to nonresidents. The only one of those schools that are private is Norwich (and I have seen that they frequently offer pretty substantial scholarship and loan aid packages), while Texas A&M will offer instate tuition rates for members of the Corps- which is a pretty significant benefit. Also most of the State Maritime colleges offer instate rates to Cadets from other states with which they have agreements- which again is a pretty good discount, and I know that SUNY Maritime at least practices a rolling admissions process which stays open much longer than other schools. But If you have already gone that route and still can't swing the cost then I think that you are just going to have to fall back on a more affordable alternative- Community College or a local public school at least to start.
Just remember that at the end of the day it is not the school that makes the man- it is the dedication and performance of the man that will count in the end. Find a school and a major that your son will excel in and which you can afford and which hopefully offers the possibility of ROTC participation and then just emphasize to him to DO HIS BEST with what is available. If he does that - it will turn out fine for him. Good luck and best wishes.
 
Too early to give up on TAMU?

DS was accepted to all 6 SMCs. Unfortunately none of them have offered him scholarships that would make it feasible for us to send him. He will likely have to attend a local college and live at home for a year.

Is there anyone at the SMCs that would actually care that my DS cannot attend due to finances?

Should we just let the May 1st deadline pass?

I think it's too early to give up on TAMU at least... this is from their Corps Scholarships website (http://corps.tamu.edu/scholarships):
For those prospective cadets who miss the December 1st deadline, or are unable to attend one of our recruiting programs, you will still be considered for a scholarship. These prospective cadets will be considered after May 1st. There is nothing extra that needs to be submitted, these students will be considered using information from their Admissions Application
So I guess as long as the admissions application indicated your DS was interested in the Corps you still have a shot at a Corps scholarship and will not hear until after May 1 when the award is made. Most of these scholarships include a non-Resident tuition waiver (ie. in-state tuition).

Since May 1 is the acceptance deadline for most schools it might be worth a call to TAMU to find out where you are at, if they'll tell you. If the don't you might consider sending in a deposit for TAMU assuming they have a May 1 acceptance deadline even though money is tight.

Hope this is helpful.
 
I think it's too early to give up on TAMU at least... this is from their Corps Scholarships website (http://corps.tamu.edu/scholarships):

So I guess as long as the admissions application indicated your DS was interested in the Corps you still have a shot at a Corps scholarship and will not hear until after May 1 when the award is made. Most of these scholarships include a non-Resident tuition waiver (ie. in-state tuition).

Since May 1 is the acceptance deadline for most schools it might be worth a call to TAMU to find out where you are at, if they'll tell you. If the don't you might consider sending in a deposit for TAMU assuming they have a May 1 acceptance deadline even though money is tight.

Hope this is helpful.
TAMU Corps will make sure you get a scholarship that will qualify you for in state tuition. They told us they do not have a single non-resident member of the Corps that is paying out of state tuition.
 
TAMU

TAMU has really made a serious effort to get DS to come. I was very impressed by their staff. They are not the least expensive however a corps scholarship might change that. We like all of the SMCs. None of them would be a bad decision.
 
Also, it is my understanding that if you're a member of the Corps of Cadets at North Ga, you also get in-state tuition. :smile:
 
It's probably true at all of the SMC's, but the alumni network at The Citadel is unbelievably close and powerful. Your son sounds like an impressive young man--perhaps there is an alum out there who would be willing to help him out. It can do no harm to contact the Alumni Association, right?
 
The Citadel offers

The Citadel gave a full ride to a local student in a different HS last year. The student had an interview with an admiral who is an alum. So it can help. DS had an interview with an alum, but not of that notoriety.
 
Loans

What is the best place to find a loan for college? We have done all of the FASFA stuff. It will only cover a portion of the total COA. It is too late to do the Reserve or National Guard thing without missing a semester.

The PLUS loans aren't very tempting.
 
I'm not sure about "good" places for student loans, but I would definitely recommend against Wells Fargo.

But then again, that's just based on my own experience; others might beg to differ.

-jmb-
 
My DS is going to North Georgia

Compared to all the SMC's it had the best deal financially. My DS was accepted to Norwich, The Citadel, and VMI as well. I decided that I would not let my DS go into major debt for college. We also looked at the ECP programs and DS actually was offered 2 year scholarships to those schools. But in the end we chose North Georgia because he can commission active duty and they gave him in state tuition.
 
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