To follow up with AG's post.
I am almost 100% positive that no IS scholarships have been awarded since the class of 12.
I agree with Dunninla. Talk to your det. Most posters here that are in the system, are on scholarship already, thus they are not in the loop.
I also will agree with GEM, these scholarships are rare, and sometimes it may be connected to the actual major. The reason why is that scholarships are a recruitment tool. If they aren't making their numbers for Nursing or Linguistics they may offer them a 3 yr., but not to the engineering/non-tech public relations major.
That is also why to say "I have the grades and athletic ability" actually means very little when it comes to scholarship selection for IS. It is a vague statement, what are your grades? At this point you have yet to complete your 1st semester, so it is just an assumption of what your grades will be compared to others. What is your major? What is your PFA?
Even if IS is brought back online for every cadet regardless of major, there are sooooo many factors that go into the equation. You need to talk to your CC. Every det. will do a review with the cadet at the end of each semester. That review will allow you to decipher if you are even competitive.
What is your rank in the det (#1 cadet, top 10%, etc)? Do you have a job in the det? Do you have EC's, such as, military fraternities?
I hope they do bring it back, but since you did not do the HSSP, you also need to understand that those who got the TWE last yr in HS, will also apply this yr. That is why the important factors here also include the CC's input. #1 cadet from an O6 Commander will mean alot in the selection process compared to top 25% of 2015 cadets. It is their way of saying, this is my pick. It is not just grades and athletic ability.
If you do not want to "talk" with your commander, talk to your CCC or CFC or a POC. At our DS's school they "mentor" C100's and 200's as POC's. It is kept private unless it is something that needs to be reported. In your case it wouldn't be. They have been there for 3 yrs., so they also have great insight due to anecdotal info at that college. A 3.2 at your school may be the bottom of the barrel from historical data, or it could be the top of the heap. To state I have the grades, is vague...grades for what? Tech, non-tech, Ivy, non-ranked college? All of that goes into the equation for the scholarship board. A 3.0 engineer major at MIT is not going to be looked upon the same as 3.0 Econ major at UMiami.
You have the athletic ability...compared to what? A PFT of 96 sounds high, but what if 98 is the avg at your det?
Only your advisors can direct you regarding where you stand against everyone else.
I would also say, when you discuss this with them, you ask some more telling questions for your future chances as an AF officer. What was their selection rate for SFT LY? I understand financially you may need the scholarship, but you need to understand that if you get a scholarship, it does not equate into 3 yrs of tuition being paid.
No SFT places the scholarship in jeopardy, because they can revoke it immediately since you will not be a POC. No POC = No Commissioning. Commanders with cadets on scholarship can go to bat for the cadet and they will become a 250, but that too is becoming rare.
SFT boards award ZERO points to scholarship recipients, they have no advantage because they are contracted. They traditionally do have higher gpas because the scholarship is on their shoulders, but the scholarship will not save them, it is the grades.
Sorry for the long post, but I think you should know that although the scholarship is your current priority, you may be losing sight of the real goal...commissioning in the AF. Soph yr is a BIG, BIG yr...did I say BIG?
Not only getting selected for SFT is going to matter, but how well you do there will matter even more. Where you rank out at Maxwell will go into your OML for your career path. AFOQT will be given, and that goes into your OML.
Come the end of this spring you will be given your job for next fall. That job will be a part of your SFT selection. Come this spring you will have a Dining In/Out and awards will be given to C100's. Those awards will be on your record for SFT.
200 yr is a BIG year, but it is what you do as a 100 that sets you up for your 200 yr. 200 yr results will set you up for your 300 and career field, which is announced Oct 400, = everything you did through your 300. Use to be AFSCs were released spring 300, rated in Feb, non-rated in April. For 13 it will be both Fall 400.
Keep your eye on the ball...the ball is still 3 yrs away, scholarship is a perk. That's all it is!