Scholarships in the USNA

H

HMCoF2021

Member
Joined
Feb 29, 2016
Messages
46
Hello. Since the Navy pays 100% of the tuition, room and board, medical and dental care costs of midshipmen, is there a practical purpose in applying for scholarships (aside from the possibility of getting rejected by the USNA)?
 
HMCoF2021 said:
Hello. Since the Navy pays 100% of the tuition, room and board, medical and dental care costs of midshipmen, is there a practical purpose in applying for scholarships (aside from the possibility of getting rejected by the USNA)?
Click to expand...

Yes, and there are various, relatively recent posts on this. Search on "ACE Loan." I would usually lend a hand and search myself, but do not have time at the moment.

Rough cut - many upfront items that are issued, books, uniforms, gear, supplies, computer, etc., are charged against a midshipman's pay. A small mandatory loan is provided to all plebes, such that, as noted in SAF many times, a plebe can show up with nothing except the clothes on their back. The ACE loan is taken out of monthly pay.

Certain scholarship funds can be applied against the ACE loan and charged items, so that the net monthly amount available to mids is increased. That's the reason to pursue scholarship money, to increase monthly cash flow.


This is a link to the budget book. It's not the latest, but the first to pop up in a phone search. The info doesn't change much.

http://www.usna.edu/2CParentsWeekend/documents/2013-2014-Budget-Book.pdf
 
I found a pretty good website that helps gather various scholarships that can be applied to off-set at least some of the ACE loan. Scholarships that appear are based on a profile you input.

I am not big on giving websites demographic info, but this is an exception, IMHO. DS is applying for some of the merit-based awards that are available.
 
Capt MJ said:
Certain scholarship funds can be applied against the ACE loan and charged items, so that the net monthly amount available to mids is increased. That's the reason to pursue scholarship money, to increase monthly cash flow.
Click to expand...

I don't believe this is technically correct - at least for 4/c, 3/c and 2/c years. MIDN pay is the same for a given class on a monthly basis (i.e., all 4/c are paid the same, all 3/c are paid the same, all 2/c are paid the same). If no ACE loan for a given MIDN, then held pay will be higher when it is released during those years. Monthly pay for 1/c will, however, be different with no ACE loan deduction since there is no held pay during 1/c year.
 
OP. The practical purpose for applying for scholarships is that USNA does not cover 100%. Costs such as travel, certain summer leadership courses, sports equipment, etc. are out of your pocket.
 
One thing they told us at a new parents meeting also was that if your mid God into the marines, they have to purchase a whole new set of uniforms. Any cash left from pay/scholarships can be used for that.
 
Scholarship App tip. Don't play up the Academies apps. When the scholarship committees start looking at need they have a tendency to think, "oh this kid is probably going to an academy he/she won't need this scholarship so much so We will give it to a more "Needy" kid. They don't realize how high the odds are of NOT getting into an Academy.

Many of the scholarship apps are due long before you get word from academies, so why penalize yourself before you even have an appointment.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top