USAFAPS vs. Full Ride Scholarship

[ac890]

My DS was recently offered admission to USAFAPS and selected as a Stamps Scholarship Recipient at a four year university. We are curious to know about the 10-month program at USAFAPS and the likelihood of being offered an appointment to USAFA the following year.

He is interested in becoming a pilot and is currently working towards his PPL. The full ride scholarship also includes an enrichment fund that he could use towards the costs to earn his Instrument Rating. The four year university does not have a dedicated aviation program — he intends to major in Business.

As we look to the May 1 decision deadline, we would appreciate any input to help him make this decision. We recognize that USAFAPS does not guarantee an appointment to USAFA, and want to weigh his options.

On a side note, DS has been involved in AFJROTC for the past four years and we read somewhere that he would come into USAFAPS at a higher rank. Does that impact his experience as a cadet candidate?

*** EDIT ***

We would also like to add that DS is considering the option of Air National Guard if he goes the four year university route, with the hope that he could join ANG as a pilot.

 

[104FW_QA]

First Congrats to your DS!!!!!

The USAFAPS is like a Golden ticket if someone successfully completes the Prep School and doesn't get into any trouble. While it's not a 100% guarantee, it almost is. The cadet candidate would still need to get a nomination again, but it is also almost a given that the same source would provide it. The USAFAPS also has a small number of nominations at their disposal to use. Any time in AFJROTC , or on Active Duty, would not have any significant bearing to them and their experience as a cadet candidate, outside of a slightly higher chance of being selected for a leadership position. The USAFAPS is not easy, out of about 230 Cadet Candidates that started last year, only about 170 finished successfully. However most agree that it helped prepared them for the USAFA and the friendships and bonds that they make, will make life easier up on the Hill and last a lifetime.

No path is wrong, it is one your DS will have to make with your help. How strongly does he want to serve? Will he still want to serve if he becomes ineligible to become a AF pilot and has to serve in some other capacity?

The Air National Guard is a great option, with many states providing free college tuition to in-state colleges, not needed in your DS's case. Units always like to select new pilots from members within their own unit and he will receive great training and experience. Depending on his AFSC or job (aka like a Crew Chief), he might be working with current pilots each day. That relationship "could" help during the pilot selection process.

A full ride scholarship is not something to easily walk away from, can they defer it for a year, never hurts to ask?

 

[MDRDV]

Someone that receives a Stamps Scholarship shouldn't have any issues academically at PS. That said, students on Stamps can not get below a 3.0 for 2 consecutive semesters. If they do, the scholarship goes away. I have friends from high school that I talked to over Christmas break that were beyond stressed out due to the potential loss of scholarships because of grades. This isn't an issue at USAFA. in fact you still get paid if you make A's or C's. Although, there are still stressors at USAFA.

 

[franknd]

You say he wants to be a pilot. Do you mean an Air Force pilot, or just a pilot? If he goes to the AFA, he needs to want to be an AF pilot.

Also, I'm a little surprised. From what I understand, a Stamps Scholarship is extremely hard to get. The profile of a Stamps winner is above what an academic full four-year scholarship would be, along the lines of 1500+ SAT/4.0+ GPA. With that background, I'm a bit surprised that the AFA offer would be for Prep School. I understand it happens, but I'm curious whether there was another aspect of the application that wasn't as strong maybe, like athletics or leadership?

Otherwise, as the poster above wrote, as long as the cadet candidate doesn't do something to get himself disenrolled, quit, or fail, he'll get an appointment.

 

[GoodRun]

Why do you think your DS received a USAFAPS offer rather than a USAFA offer? In other words, what "prep" does USAFA think she requires?

USAFAPS takes a lot of athletes and prior enlisted, who might need a year of basic undergraduate level math and science prep so they are not overwhelmed at USAFA. If your DS is solid academically, she might be really, really bored there.

 

[Herman_Snerd]

My DS was recently offered admission to USAFAPS and selected as a Stamps Scholarship Recipient at a four year university. We are curious to know about the 10-month program at USAFAPS and the likelihood of being offered an appointment to USAFA the following year.

He is interested in becoming a pilot and is currently working towards his PPL. The full ride scholarship also includes an enrichment fund that he could use towards the costs to earn his Instrument Rating. The four year university does not have a dedicated aviation program — he intends to major in Business.

As we look to the May 1 decision deadline, we would appreciate any input to help him make this decision. We recognize that USAFAPS does not guarantee an appointment to USAFA, and want to weigh his options.

On a side note, DS has been involved in AFJROTC for the past four years and we read somewhere that he would come into USAFAPS at a higher rank. Does that impact his experience as a cadet candidate?

*** EDIT ***

We would also like to add that DS is considering the option of Air National Guard if he goes the four year university route, with the hope that he could join ANG as a pilot.

I think someone else asked - what is his goal? to fly for the military, to fly for an airline? other? How pinned on he to be a pilot? Same question on being a military officer, even if he can't be a pilot for them?
How much of an enrichment fund is available through the scholarship? Getting your private, instrument, commercial, multi, cfi etc. licenses is not inexpensive.
Most USAFA graduates have little more than their private before commissioning. He should confirm that flight training/ hours is *still* an advantage for service selection in the AF. He should confirm flight training opportunities - flight club (what's the first rule of flight club), summer powered flight academy etc., a stipend for flight training etc.
Your son should research the Differences Between Part 61 And Part 141 Training Programs and specifically the hours that are required toward getting your ATP or R-ATP licenses. He should also understand what programs allow a transfer of the PPL if earned elsewhere, and little else, and why. Why does he want to go toward his instrument, only?
Not all USAFA graduates become pilots - just something to keep in mind.

A friend of mine did the Navy equivalent of prep school before going to USNA - he's now a rear admiral. If he wants to be a military pilot and wants the Service Academy experience, sounds appealing.

I think if my kid had a stamps scholarship and wants to be a pilot I would use it at Purdue - can you use it for a professional flight degree? Can you assist to cover the flight fees? Has he looked into OCS or equivalent to then commission and serve?

Congrats on some great options and good luck.

 

[ac890]

I think someone else asked - what is his goal? to fly for the military, to fly for an airline? other? How pinned on he to be a pilot? Same question on being a military officer, even if he can't be a pilot for them?
How much of an enrichment fund is available through the scholarship? Getting your private, instrument, commercial, multi, cfi etc. licenses is not inexpensive.
Most USAFA graduates have little more than their private before commissioning. He should confirm that flight training/ hours is *still* an advantage for service selection in the AF. He should confirm flight training opportunities - flight club (what's the first rule of flight club), summer powered flight academy etc., a stipend for flight training etc.
Your son should research the Differences Between Part 61 And Part 141 Training Programs and specifically the hours that are required toward getting your ATP or R-ATP licenses. He should also understand what programs allow a transfer of the PPL if earned elsewhere, and little else, and why. Why does he want to go toward his instrument, only?
Not all USAFA graduates become pilots - just something to keep in mind.

A friend of mine did the Navy equivalent of prep school before going to USNA - he's now a rear admiral. If he wants to be a military pilot and wants the Service Academy experience, sounds appealing.

I think if my kid had a stamps scholarship and wants to be a pilot I would use it at Purdue - can you use it for a professional flight degree? Can you assist to cover the flight fees? Has he looked into OCS or equivalent to then commission and serve?

Congrats on some great options and good luck.

Thank you for the questions and insight. I’ll definitely share them with my son. The enrichment fund provides $12,000, which is why he intends to use it towards his Instrument rating if he goes that route. He would have to take a loan to complete the rest of the flight training — likely after he graduates.

He definitely wants to serve, which is why he is considering the Air National Guard post graduation from the four year university. The Stamps Scholarship he received was specifically for a four year university that does not offer aviation. He had planned to earn his degree in business/explore management at USAFA and at other colleges.

My sense is that he wants to serve, get his business degree, and fly. The curveball was the USAFAPS offer, as opposed to the direct USAFA offer.

 

[ac890]

First Congrats to your DS!!!!!

The USAFAPS is like a Golden ticket if someone successfully completes the Prep School and doesn't get into any trouble. While it's not a 100% guarantee, it almost is. The cadet candidate would still need to get a nomination again, but it is also almost a given that the same source would provide it. The USAFAPS also has a small number of nominations at their disposal to use. Any time in AFJROTC , or on Active Duty, would not have any significant bearing to them and their experience as a cadet candidate, outside of a slightly higher chance of being selected for a leadership position. The USAFAPS is not easy, out of about 230 Cadet Candidates that started last year, only about 170 finished successfully. However most agree that it helped prepared them for the USAFA and the friendships and bonds that they make, will make life easier up on the Hill and last a lifetime.

No path is wrong, it is one your DS will have to make with your help. How strongly does he want to serve? Will he still want to serve if he becomes ineligible to become a AF pilot and has to serve in some other capacity?

The Air National Guard is a great option, with many states providing free college tuition to in-state colleges, not needed in your DS's case. Units always like to select new pilots from members within their own unit and he will receive great training and experience. Depending on his AFSC or job (aka like a Crew Chief), he might be working with current pilots each day. That relationship "could" help during the pilot selection process.

A full ride scholarship is not something to easily walk away from, can they defer it for a year, never hurts to ask?

Thank you for your insight. I’ve shared your response with DS and he agrees that it wouldn’t hurt to ask/explore the option to defer the scholarship for a year.

 

[ac890]

You say he wants to be a pilot. Do you mean an Air Force pilot, or just a pilot? If he goes to the AFA, he needs to want to be an AF pilot.

Also, I'm a little surprised. From what I understand, a Stamps Scholarship is extremely hard to get. The profile of a Stamps winner is above what an academic full four-year scholarship would be, along the lines of 1500+ SAT/4.0+ GPA. With that background, I'm a bit surprised that the AFA offer would be for Prep School. I understand it happens, but I'm curious whether there was another aspect of the application that wasn't as strong maybe, like athletics or leadership?

Otherwise, as the poster above wrote, as long as the cadet candidate doesn't do something to get himself disenrolled, quit, or fail, he'll get an appointment.

First Congrats to your DS!!!!!

The USAFAPS is like a Golden ticket if someone successfully completes the Prep School and doesn't get into any trouble. While it's not a 100% guarantee, it almost is. The cadet candidate would still need to get a nomination again, but it is also almost a given that the same source would provide it. The USAFAPS also has a small number of nominations at their disposal to use. Any time in AFJROTC , or on Active Duty, would not have any significant bearing to them and their experience as a cadet candidate, outside of a slightly higher chance of being selected for a leadership position. The USAFAPS is not easy, out of about 230 Cadet Candidates that started last year, only about 170 finished successfully. However most agree that it helped prepared them for the USAFA and the friendships and bonds that they make, will make life easier up on the Hill and last a lifetime.

No path is wrong, it is one your DS will have to make with your help. How strongly does he want to serve? Will he still want to serve if he becomes ineligible to become a AF pilot and has to serve in some other capacity?

The Air National Guard is a great option, with many states providing free college tuition to in-state colleges, not needed in your DS's case. Units always like to select new pilots from members within their own unit and he will receive great training and experience. Depending on his AFSC or job (aka like a Crew Chief), he might be working with current pilots each day. That relationship "could" help during the pilot selection process.

A full ride scholarship is not something to easily walk away from, can they defer it for a year, never hurts to ask?

And thank you for providing more context on Prep School. It’s good to know that the odds are favorable for him!

 

[Rach3]

My DS was recently offered admission to USAFAPS and selected as a Stamps Scholarship Recipient at a four year university. We are curious to know about the 10-month program at USAFAPS and the likelihood of being offered an appointment to USAFA the following year.

He is interested in becoming a pilot and is currently working towards his PPL. The full ride scholarship also includes an enrichment fund that he could use towards the costs to earn his Instrument Rating. The four year university does not have a dedicated aviation program — he intends to major in Business.

As we look to the May 1 decision deadline, we would appreciate any input to help him make this decision. We recognize that USAFAPS does not guarantee an appointment to USAFA, and want to weigh his options.

On a side note, DS has been involved in AFJROTC for the past four years and we read somewhere that he would come into USAFAPS at a higher rank. Does that impact his experience as a cadet candidate?

*** EDIT ***

We would also like to add that DS is considering the option of Air National Guard if he goes the four year university route, with the hope that he could join ANG as a pilot.

Take the Golden Ticket Prep School route and never look back!

 

[ac890]

You say he wants to be a pilot. Do you mean an Air Force pilot, or just a pilot? If he goes to the AFA, he needs to want to be an AF pilot.

Also, I'm a little surprised. From what I understand, a Stamps Scholarship is extremely hard to get. The profile of a Stamps winner is above what an academic full four-year scholarship would be, along the lines of 1500+ SAT/4.0+ GPA. With that background, I'm a bit surprised that the AFA offer would be for Prep School. I understand it happens, but I'm curious whether there was another aspect of the application that wasn't as strong maybe, like athletics or leadership?

Otherwise, as the poster above wrote, as long as the cadet candidate doesn't do something to get himself disenrolled, quit, or fail, he'll get an appointment.

DS wants to be an AF pilot. If he were to go the four year university route, he mentioned the possibility of taking private loans after graduating to complete his aviation training, then walk into the local Air National Guard office and see if they’d take him as a pilot with all training completed. I suppose in that scenario, he would be both a commercial pilot and an AF pilot.

 

[Bigrod]

DS wants to be an AF pilot. If he were to go the four year university route, he mentioned the possibility of taking private loans after graduating to complete his aviation training, then walk into the local Air National Guard office and see if they’d take him as a pilot with all training completed. I suppose in that scenario, he would be both a commercial pilot and an AF pilot.

Not how it works at all. He may be a pilot but most definitely not an AF pilot. He may walk into a guard unit but there are highly capable AF pilots applying for those jobs as well and those also hire on how you fit in the squadron more than anything. Also let’s say he gets hired somewhere he will still got to UPT for a year to become an AF pilot. Take the prep school spot, no debt, 5 years he will have a degree from a very prestigious university with a ton of graduate support and better odds to get a pilot slot than out of rotc at any other university.

 

[T-37IP]

Does he want to be an officer in the USAF who may or may not be a pilot, and certainly not for his whole career, or does he want to be an airline pilot? Two very different questions. If he wants to be an AF officer then, by all means, prep school. If he "just" wants to be a pilot, civilian route. I am a retired military pilot and also a Captain at a major airline. I routinely fly with 23-year-old first officers without degrees and minimum qualifications.

The Guard does find a bit of a middle ground, although not like the days of old.

Big questions for an 18-year-old.

Good luck.

 

[SpiritCommitteeLiaison]

Since my daughter (2018) has decided to separate after being hired into ANG, I feel I should tell you that getting hired as a pilot in the ANG is not a given. There is quite a bit of competition. Even as a grad, she interviewed with 6 or 7 ANG units around the country before being offered a job as a pilot.

Note that PPL (private pilot's license) increases your chances.

She is visiting me this week. This is her comment: "If you want to be a pilot, your best chance is going to the Academy. Its much harder to get a pilot slot in the ANG right off the street."

Just some food for thought.

 

[skyfox]

Congrats on the both the scholarship and the PS offers! The Prep-School is a great opportunity to get a leg up on USAFA's demanding environment, both academically and militarily. I don't regret attending the PS and feel it made all the difference my freshman year. The preppies also enter USAFA with the advantage of the social connections they share with one another. They "peanut butter spread" the prep graduates across the academy squadrons and I quickly made friends with the others in my unit, having that experience in common.

When I graduated from the PS, appointment to USAFA the following year was automatic provided you met the minimum GPA (2.5-ish). The "graduation certificates" they handed to us during our ceremony that May weren't completion certificates, but our Letters of Appointment to the academy itself. Things may have changed since then, but if your DS really wants to attend USAFA, I'd strongly recommend accepting the PS appointment.

 

[99Gold]

Congrats on the both the scholarship and the PS offers! The Prep-School is a great opportunity to get a leg up on USAFA's demanding environment, both academically and militarily. I don't regret attending the PS and feel it made all the difference my freshman year. The preppies also enter USAFA with the advantage of the social connections they share with one another. They "peanut butter spread" the prep graduates across the academy squadrons and I quickly made friends with the others in my unit, having that experience in common.

When I graduated from the PS, appointment to USAFA the following year was automatic provided you met the minimum GPA (2.5-ish). The "graduation certificates" they handed to us during our ceremony that May weren't completion certificates, but our Letters of Appointment to the academy itself. Things may have changed since then, but if your DS really wants to attend USAFA, I'd strongly recommend accepting the PS appointment.

I don't think it has changed much. The Director of Admissions talked a bit about the P-school at the dinner we attended last week. She said they two main reasons for not getting to the hill from the prep school were 1. Not being able to cut it academically and 2. Life choices (she gave examples of deciding to get married or serious discipline issues).

The Prep School is a great opportunity!! I was envious of their bonds when I was a cadet.

 

[In-the-Know]

The Prep School has a flying program called Early Path to Wings. I recommend you look into it.

 

[Usafa27-Dad]

Approximately 100 Cadet Candidates apply to the Early Path of Wings program. Just 15 get the opportunity to fly. It is very difficult to obtain your PPL while at the Prep. There are not too many planes available and weather plays an important role. But the C/C gets to go to the Airfield many times and also there is classroom time at the Prep. Amazing program.

 

[ac890]

Approximately 100 Cadet Candidates apply to the Early Path of Wings program. Just 15 get the opportunity to fly. It is very difficult to obtain your PPL while at the Prep. There are not too many planes available and weather plays an important role. But the C/C gets to go to the Airfield many times and also there is classroom time at the Prep. Amazing program.

Thank you for that information. Do you know what criteria they use to determine who gets a spot in the Early Path to Wings Program? DS is currently working on completing his PPL, but we're not sure if he will have it completed by July 2024. Glad to know there are options at the Prep School to continue flying!

 

[crhath]

Approximately 100 Cadet Candidates apply to the Early Path of Wings program. Just 15 get the opportunity to fly. It is very difficult to obtain your PPL while at the Prep. There are not too many planes available and weather plays an important role. But the C/C gets to go to the Airfield many times and also there is classroom time at the Prep. Amazing program.

This is great info. My DD got offered a prep spot, but already has her PPL. Could she still apply to this and work towards the next rating or CFI? or Gliders?