USAFA and Scholarships?

rvicek

USAFA Cadet Fourth Class
5-Year Member
Joined
Dec 1, 2013
Messages
36
I have been offered an appointment to USAFA and I was wondering if I can utilize any scholarships to help pay for expenses that I will have as a cadet. I saw a similar post on this topic for another SA(http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/showthread.php?t=35745), but I was unsure if this was the case for USAFA. Whether or not I can take advantage of scholarships isn't a big deal. I understand that I have been given an outstanding opportunity and that I will not have many expenses compared to those of students of civilian schools. Any advice or input is appreciated! Thanks!
 
I have been offered an appointment to USAFA and I was wondering if I can utilize any scholarships to help pay for expenses that I will have as a cadet. I saw a similar post on this topic for another SA(http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/showthread.php?t=35745), but I was unsure if this was the case for USAFA. Whether or not I can take advantage of scholarships isn't a big deal. I understand that I have been given an outstanding opportunity and that I will not have many expenses compared to those of students of civilian schools. Any advice or input is appreciated! Thanks!

If it is acceptable to the donor, scholarships can be used at the USAFA. Some folks on this forum think that cadets should not "take scholarships away" from others, but I disagree. If you are selected by the scholarship committee as the student they feel best represents their organization, you will find that scholarship donors are often very pleased to have their money pay for expenses at academies. And, yes, you will have expenses.

The USAFA stipulation is that the scholarships can not have "strings attached" to them. For example, you can't accept a scholarship where the Academy must monitor and notify the donor of your GPA.

Just make sure that you let the scholarship organizations know that you are hoping to attend an academy. Then they can make the decision.

Blue Skies
 
The USAFA stipulation is that the scholarships can not have "strings attached" to them. For example, you can't accept a scholarship where the Academy must monitor and notify the donor of your GPA.

I don't believe that is correct. My oldest son had a scholarship through my employer that required that he maintain a certain GPA. USAFA sent a copy of his transcript each semester to show that he was keeping it above the cut-off.

If you have outside scholarships that do not have a stipulation that they have to be used for tuition or room and board, you can use them at USAFA. The scholarship money will be applied to your initial "loan" amount and it will be paid off sooner than your classmates' loans. You will then begin receiving a larger percentage of your paycheck before most of your class.

Stealth_81
 
I don't believe that is correct. My oldest son had a scholarship through my employer that required that he maintain a certain GPA. USAFA sent a copy of his transcript each semester to show that he was keeping it above the cut-off.

If you have outside scholarships that do not have a stipulation that they have to be used for tuition or room and board, you can use them at USAFA. The scholarship money will be applied to your initial "loan" amount and it will be paid off sooner than your classmates' loans. You will then begin receiving a larger percentage of your paycheck before most of your class.

Stealth_81

No, it's correct… if there is anything that the USAFA must be responsible for notifying them about, it is not going to work. For example, if the USAFA must apply it to books, then provide documentation, no dice. If you are allowed to handle the notification, it will work.

Your scholarship money goes into your regular pay account, because the scholarship writes the check to the Department of Treasury. (Directions for this are in the Appointee' Guide). It will not be accepted until mid August and may take weeks to process. If at all possible, talk to your donor and see if they will write the check directly to you. Some will and, some won't. Our family dealt with 12 scholarships this spring. It was a bit complicated, but eventually all worked out.

All scholarship donors stuck with my DD after learning that she was going to an academy. One said, "I can think of no better choice than giving this money to a young person who is going to serve our country".

Hope this helps!

Blue
 
No, it's correct… if there is anything that the USAFA must be responsible for notifying them about, it is not going to work. For example, if the USAFA must apply it to books, then provide documentation, no dice. If you are allowed to handle the notification, it will work.

Your scholarship money goes into your regular pay account, because the scholarship writes the check to the Department of Treasury. (Directions for this are in the Appointee' Guide). It will not be accepted until mid August and may take weeks to process. If at all possible, talk to your donor and see if they will write the check directly to you. Some will and, some won't. Our family dealt with 12 scholarships this spring. It was a bit complicated, but eventually all worked out.

All scholarship donors stuck with my DD after learning that she was going to an academy. One said, "I can think of no better choice than giving this money to a young person who is going to serve our country".

Hope this helps!

Blue

Well, I guess our experiences were different. The scholarship foundation sent the check directly to USAFA each of the 8 semesters that Son was there, made out to Son and USAFA. Son would get called to the administration office each semester to endorse the check and it was credited to his loan up until it was paid off. After the third semester the loan was paid off, and then the money was added to his next paycheck. Along with the check was a request for a letter documenting total costs and a copy of his transcript for his grades. USAFA complied with each one and sent the documentation without any questions to us.

Stealth_81
 
Well, I guess our experiences were different. The scholarship foundation sent the check directly to USAFA each of the 8 semesters that Son was there, made out to Son and USAFA. Son would get called to the administration office each semester to endorse the check and it was credited to his loan up until it was paid off. After the third semester the loan was paid off, and then the money was added to his next paycheck. Along with the check was a request for a letter documenting total costs and a copy of his transcript for his grades. USAFA complied with each one and sent the documentation without any questions to us.

Stealth_81

Yes, it's a bit different than it used to be. We also had another cadet who had scholarships. It was like your experience.

Now, all scholarship checks must be made out "Pay to the order of the US Treasury". How scary is that?! HaHa!

Blue
 
We created a 529 plan for our DD when she was -8 months old. We also have pre paid tuition for any state school. I was wondering can we take that money and just pay off her loan, it a rather sizable amount of money many more times what it seems the loan amount is so she won't have any loan?
 
Thank you!

Thank you for your advice! I really appreciate it. I still am conflicted about asking for scholarships, but it is a relief to know that others haven considered this before. Now, if I was to apply for scholarships, what should I put for financial need? Is there a projected cadet expense report for USAFA?
 
Thank you for your advice! I really appreciate it. I still am conflicted about asking for scholarships, but it is a relief to know that others haven considered this before. Now, if I was to apply for scholarships, what should I put for financial need? Is there a projected cadet expense report for USAFA?

If you have been appointed, you may want to forego the need-based scholarships. If not, just apply like you would, but be sure to indicate that you hope to attend a service academy. My daughter's scholarships were all merit based- meaning that need was not a consideration. When she applied for scholarships, she hadn't received her appointment(s). She did indicate that she had applied, but also discussed her "Plan B". Be upfront about your goals and you will find that many scholarship sources are happy to fund cadets.

There is an estimated cadet expense paper, but I can't remember where it is. I think it is something between $11,000 to $15,000. It may be in the Appointee Guide. Planning to spend $1000.00 on books each semester (sometimes more, sometimes less) is wise.

Blue
 
Back
Top