Currently the DoD budget will already take another 10% hit even without the shutdown. Thus, unless the Hill approves a higher budget, the shutdown really isn't the problem. The decision to reduce scholarships was put in place already with the new budget.
What does this really mean? Read how the Marines are looking at cut AD personnel even deeper. (There is a thread here going on it....military news forum) That is something you have to look at also when it comes to scholarships. If they are going to have a smaller force, they will need less coming down the pipeline in the next few yrs. Thus, it is not so much about taking away money from the scholarships, but more so about the amount needed to give to meet personnel numbers will be less required.
If they stick to the traditional 20%, than less scholarships may be awarded, but only because of the bigger picture is less AD.
As far as ROTC scholarship boards. Yes, it is filled with officers that do the board, but the paperwork pushing has many GS's involved. They will be told not to report to work come Tuesday. I believe the NROTC was suppose to meet this last week. This may delay the results being released.
ROTC cadets may or may not get paid because pay is always in arrears. The paycheck on the 1st will probably be there, but the 15th will be the one in question if they go past a certain date.
~~~~ For AF, the cut off date is usually 1 week out. That means if it goes on until the 10th, they will probably not see it on the 15th. It will be retroactively paid once they get back on line.
I highly doubt we will see more than a few days. Here is my reason why:
Elected officials love to play chicken in DC, however, everywhere they turn if you live in this area somebody is going to be ticked.
~~~~ In the DC area here is the count of military bases within 30 miles off the top of my cranium.
~ Pentagon
~ Ft. Meyer
~ Andrews AFB
~ Bethesda
~ Navy Yard
~ Ft. Belvoir
~ Quantico
~ Bolling
~ Annapolis
There will be a lot of noise coming just from those military members....they will be required to report to work, but if it goes too long, they will not get a paycheck.
At all of those installations, they have GS's too. Unlike the sequester, ALL GS's will be told not to report to work. Those 3 and 4 stars at the Pentagon rely on GS 15s to brief them on projects. The Wing King/Queen, Squadron Commanders rely on GSs for administration at their military installation.
I am not positive, but I also believe that many of the Profs at SAs are also going to be told stay home, because they are govt employees.
Also at Quantico they have schools on post, these are DoD civilians (GSs just like at the Pentagon). That may mean the military members children will not have school until this is resolved. This will pour more salt into their wounds. They must report to work with no knowledge of if they will get paid on the 15th, and find a way financially to get daycare for little Johnnie in 1st grade and Janie in 3rd until school starts up again.
Finally, although this has truly no impact on the Hill and the budget, it is going to be news here. When the sequestration occurred big news in NoVA was due to it, the Metro would have less riders daily, and would lose millions every week. This of course was news because the longer it is shutdown, the higher the chance of an impact on other businesses in this area that rely on disposable income. This is just coming off the heels of the sequestration that occurred over the summer for the businesses.
As you can see, I am someone that believes it may be a few days for the shutdown, because the noise here in DC will be too loud for them to ignore.
~~~~ If you want to see what I am talking about, listen to
www.wmal.com this upcoming week from 5 a.m. to noon. It is talk radio for the DC area, not national talk. Last Friday it was back to back callers of military members and GS's wondering how they will pay their bills in Oct.
Done venting about our govt!
Honestly, I would say to get a strong indication about scholarships, start reading about what the branch you intend to join are looking at for AD personnel. Start reading the forums on here that are Life after the Academy and military news to gain a glimpse of what is occurring now.
~ I.E the Marines may be cutting, but maybe not the Navy. The Army Guard may decide to cut, while the Reserves don't.
Each branch submits a budget to SOD Hagel. From there their budget is made, and sent up as a DoD budget to the Hill. You need to look at the needs of the branch for personnel to determine the true impact on ROTC.