I never could understand why so many parents of midshipmen are reticent to admit that their child is getting a FREE education.
Here's the definition of a free education in my book: If you're not borrowing money to pay for college and you're not writing checks to the college for tuition, room & board, books and a meal plan - your kid is on a "scholarship"!
In fact, it's more than free. They're getting paid to get a college degree!
Yes, I know they have a military obligation after they graduate. That's called a job! Is it a dangerous job? Sure - sometimes. But firemen, police officers and, heck, some social workers also have dangerous jobs. They're still called jobs.
I wonder how many USNA graduates would voluntarily forego their military obligation upon graduation? My guess is that they embrace that "obligation"! I'll bet there are many college graduates who would happily serve that obligation, even without a scholarship.
Let's face it - it's a tremendous deal. Technically, I guess, it's not a "scholarship". That's because it's better than a scholarship!
I'm not shy about telling people what a great deal it is. My opinion is this, "If it sounds too good to be true - then apply!" Good luck with that. That's when they find out that those who get that "scholarship" actually earned it.