Is AROTC Notification of Intent Binding?

My son has been offered an AROTC scholarship to his first or second choice school and needs submit his letter of intent by 12/19. He was notified verbally by the USMC Recruiter where he interviewed and took the PFT that he was selected for an NROTC Marine Option scholarship that would be good at any of the schools that he put on his scholarship application. This doesn't sound correct to me and we are waiting to see it in writing. The NROTC website still indicates that no decision has been made.

My son's first choice is a service academy, and he is still waiting for a decision. After an academy, his next choice is the USMC, but the school is a major consideration. If he accepts the AROTC scholarship is it binding or can he later decline in order to accept an academy or the USMC scholarship? Thanks.

No, he is not legally binded unless he contracts after his sophomore year.

jcoechsel said:

My son has been offered an AROTC scholarship to his first or second choice school and needs submit his letter of intent by 12/19. He was notified verbally by the USMC Recruiter where he interviewed and took the PFT that he was selected for an NROTC Marine Option scholarship that would be good at any of the schools that he put on his scholarship application. This doesn't sound correct to me and we are waiting to see it in writing. The NROTC website still indicates that no decision has been made.

My son's first choice is a service academy, and he is still waiting for a decision. After an academy, his next choice is the USMC, but the school is a major consideration. If he accepts the AROTC scholarship is it binding or can he later decline in order to accept an academy or the USMC scholarship? Thanks.

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He can (and should) decline an accepted scholarship if he chooses a Marine Option Scholarship as soon as possible to allow the scholarship to be offered to another deserving candidate.

All AROTC recipients receive a letter in April to reconfirm (or ask for a transfer) of their accepted scholarship. This is another opportunity for scholarship awardees to turn in a scholarship they will not use.

As to holding onto a ROTC scholarship after a SA appointment, I've seen many a case where they hold onto the scholarship until they actually report (as an insurance policy against summer injury disqualifying them from the SA - you have until the end of the semester to pass your APFT to get your tuition paid for AROTC). While nobody at CC or the SA will ask any questions in this scenario, many folks have expressed a bit of dismay that the ROTC scholarship gets returned (and reoffered) long after candidates have given up on a school.

Accept the AROTC scholarship if son will actually join AROTC if all other scholarships fall through. IF NROTC scholarship arrives and he gets into the school he wants...then accept that one (If that's his top choice) and write a letter to AROTC and to PMS that you are now declining the accepted scholarship.

If son gets an appointment to SA, hold onto NROTC scholarship and school until Induction day, then drop that 'thanks but I'm now at the academy' letter off in the mail the following day. My DS notified NROTC scholarship officer that this was his plan and they did not object.

Your son worked hard to earn these scholarships, accept them and let him make well informed decisions, but within acceptable time frames. Also, realize that now is the time your sone will start thinking very hard about his choices, especially when they become REAL options and not just dreams or wishes....He may change his priorities, research other branches, or just realize what he truly wants is different than what he thought a year ago when he applied. USNA was not even on sons radar and that's where he ended up!

My son had AROTC (2 schools), AFROTC (any school), NROTC (1 school)....even with different majors.... when USNA appointment arrived. It was a juggling act but well worth it.

singaporemom, I sent you a PM.