Scholarship Backup Plan?

Laina26

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Oct 12, 2016
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I applied for a NROTC Nurse scholarship. Realistically, I know the chances of being awarded a scholarship are extremely low for me. I haven't spent much time thinking about a plan B. My ultimate goal is to be a Nurse. I am open to other branches if I'm not awarded a scholarship.

Could anyone provide insight into other paths to commission? I know joining ROTC once I'm in college is an option. What are the chances of picking up a 2 year scholarship? And will I still be able to commission right after college or would I need to attend OCS?

Ultimately, I'm looking for the most efficient way to achieve the goal of some form of nursing in the military!
 
NROTC hasn't been granting very many nursing scholarships in the past few years. Similarly, Advanced Standing opportunities, which must be achieved by the start of junior year, have been very few. Two years is a big commitment against long odds, bt I wouldn't rule it out as a possibility either.

Navy also has this program although I know nothing about it.... https://www.navy.com/joining/college-options/ncp.html

There is also AROTC and AFROTC. Army, of course, has way more nurses than Navy. http://www.goarmy.com/rotc/courses-and-colleges/programs/nursing.html

To answer a more minor question... if you commission via NROTC as a nurse, you will not need to attend OCS.

Hope this is helpful.
 
I would agree with Kinnem, Army has way more nurses than Navy, if you are open to Army, I would apply. There are two more Boards, in January and in March. My daughter was awarded a scholarship last year for nursing and she is an MS1 and is absolutely loving her experience. You are welcome to PM me anytime (after you have 5 posts).

If you end up with the problem of being awarded Navy and Army, then you will have options!
 
I would agree with Kinnem, Army has way more nurses than Navy, if you are open to Army, I would apply. There are two more Boards, in January and in March. My daughter was awarded a scholarship last year for nursing and she is an MS1 and is absolutely loving her experience. You are welcome to PM me anytime (after you have 5 posts).

If you end up with the problem of being awarded Navy and Army, then you will have options!
Thanks! I guess it's always worth a shot.
 
To be honest, I would think the AF is the least likely chance for many reasons, but one of them is the AF is the smallest branch. Thus, I think it would be highly competitive to get that scholarship.

A few yrs ago a poster had stated that his DD (AFROTC) got the shock of her life as soon as she reported to San Antonio. She was informed that by the time her 4 yr commitment was over, the AF would need 50% less nurses.

The reason why this is happening at such a fast pace is simple. Gone are the days where base hospitals had ER or maternity wards or did surgeries. Here are the days where most bases only service the AD member.
~ My DIL is pregnant and they have been married for 2+ yrs. Basically for every medical need she is sent off base. When the baby comes, she will also be seen by off base docs.
~~ Now compare that to when my DH, Bullet retired 8 yrs ago. Throughout his 21 yr career service, my kids were seen on base fro everything from their birth to allergy shots to xrays to broken bones, etc. They were only sent off base if something happened after 4:30 and needed an ER.

That is just how much it has changed in just 8 years for the AF and why aglagles DD was told on day 1 that the numbers will be decreasing. OBTW when she was applying for her AFROTC nursing scholarship as a HS sr. the AF considered it a critical manning field. I believe she commissioned in 2013. Just saying that is how fast it changed, and it may change back that quickly, but I doubt it. I believe for the AF they are going the route that it is cheaper to contract nurses, than to commission them due in part in my opinion...sequestration.
~ Contracting them saves money in many ways...from health insurance, to the fact that they don't have to PCS them. A PCS move alone costs thousands of dollars per military member when you add in things like TLA, DLA and the cost of an 18 wheel moving truck to take household goods from Nebraska to California, not even talking about moving them from AK to NJ, with their cars.
~~Our neighbor was a contracted dentist for the AF. His wife was a contracted nurse. Around the corner was a contracted pharmacist.
 
I applied for a NROTC Nurse scholarship. Realistically, I know the chances of being awarded a scholarship are extremely low for me. I haven't spent much time thinking about a plan B. My ultimate goal is to be a Nurse. I am open to other branches if I'm not awarded a scholarship.

Could anyone provide insight into other paths to commission? I know joining ROTC once I'm in college is an option. What are the chances of picking up a 2 year scholarship? And will I still be able to commission right after college or would I need to attend OCS?

Ultimately, I'm looking for the most efficient way to achieve the goal of some form of nursing in the military!

There are two uniformed services, of the 7 total (5 are Armed Forces), USPHS and NOAA. I like to post their links because they also serve, with different missions. For you and lurking readers, it may expand awareness.

http://www.usphs.gov (look under student tab)

http://www.usphs.gov/profession/nurse/

http://www.noaa.gov/office-education/scholarships


These services use the uniforms and rank structure of the Navy, with differing insignia. Pay and benefits are similar to active duty military.
 
First, are you set on one service over the other? Navy Nursing, AF Nursing and Army Nursing are not exactly the same. Close- but different duties, type of locations (field medical centers, brick/mortar hospital, flying nurses, etc...). If you are not set on one or other, just want to service. Apply to all three - ROTC programs, this will increase your odds. My DD is trying for the NROTC Nursing Option as her plan A. She has researched and Navy is all she wants - but everyone is different. If you don't get ROTC, have a plan b, c, d, etc... First I am familiar with the Navy options. Navy has two other paths towards commissions as a Navy Nurse - do a little research with google for exact details but roughly: 4 year scholarship (NROTC - Nursing Option), Navy Nursing College program (apply between sophomore and junior year in college) - receive an "initial" bonus - in 2 payments, which helps towards the expenses of school, receive up to 24 months of monthly stipends to help the cost of your education. Upon completing of BSN - you attend OCS and are commissioned. The third choice, you pay for college (BSN at an approved accredited school), upon completing of BSN - you apply and are accepted for OCS/Commission. There are other options: If you want to be a Nurse and want to service, but military isn't a choice.

There are programs under the NHSC (National Health Service Corps) and NURSE Corps scholarship Program that help you with the cost of education and you would "serve" as a nurse in various health care facilities. (Another way to serve as a Nurse, if the military is not an option). CaptMJ has posted some great links. Research, research, research...nursing is a great field and there are opportunities - it just takes some digging to find the one that fits you.

Understand NROTC Nursing Scholarship - has been the lowest of all three services with only 19 a year in the past few years, AROTC and AFROTC have roughly the same amount of scholarships in the past two years - that doesn't mean it wouldn't decrease as noted above. Just make yours plans, but have plan A, B, C, and such, just in case.
 
I am definitely not set on the Navy. My goal is to attend Penn State and since they have AF and Army as well I'm seriously considering them. I have a feeling it won't work out with the Navy 4 year scholarship, so I'm thinking about joining AF once I get to school. Do you know anything about the process of joining once you're in college?

Thanks for the info! Good luck to your DD!

First, are you set on one service over the other? Navy Nursing, AF Nursing and Army Nursing are not exactly the same. Close- but different duties, type of locations (field medical centers, brick/mortar hospital, flying nurses, etc...). If you are not set on one or other, just want to service. Apply to all three - ROTC programs, this will increase your odds. My DD is trying for the NROTC Nursing Option as her plan A. She has researched and Navy is all she wants - but everyone is different. If you don't get ROTC, have a plan b, c, d, etc... First I am familiar with the Navy options. Navy has two other paths towards commissions as a Navy Nurse - do a little research with google for exact details but roughly: 4 year scholarship (NROTC - Nursing Option), Navy Nursing College program (apply between sophomore and junior year in college) - receive an "initial" bonus - in 2 payments, which helps towards the expenses of school, receive up to 24 months of monthly stipends to help the cost of your education. Upon completing of BSN - you attend OCS and are commissioned. The third choice, you pay for college (BSN at an approved accredited school), upon completing of BSN - you apply and are accepted for OCS/Commission. There are other options: If you want to be a Nurse and want to service, but military isn't a choice.

There are programs under the NHSC (National Health Service Corps) and NURSE Corps scholarship Program that help you with the cost of education and you would "serve" as a nurse in various health care facilities. (Another way to serve as a Nurse, if the military is not an option). CaptMJ has posted some great links. Research, research, research...nursing is a great field and there are opportunities - it just takes some digging to find the one that fits you.

Understand NROTC Nursing Scholarship - has been the lowest of all three services with only 19 a year in the past few years, AROTC and AFROTC have roughly the same amount of scholarships in the past two years - that doesn't mean it wouldn't decrease as noted above. Just make yours plans, but have plan A, B, C, and such, just in case.
Ed
 
Thanks I'll check them out!!
There are two uniformed services, of the 7 total (5 are Armed Forces), USPHS and NOAA. I like to post their links because they also serve, with different missions. For you and lurking readers, it may expand awareness.

http://www.usphs.gov (look under student tab)

http://www.usphs.gov/profession/nurse/

http://www.noaa.gov/office-education/scholarships


These services use the uniforms and rank structure of the Navy, with differing insignia. Pay and benefits are similar to active duty military.
k th
 
I am definitely not set on the Navy. My goal is to attend Penn State and since they have AF and Army as well I'm seriously considering them. I have a feeling it won't work out with the Navy 4 year scholarship, so I'm thinking about joining AF once I get to school. Do you know anything about the process of joining once you're in college?

Thanks for the info! Good luck to your DD!


Ed
This has been said before, however, it warrants repeating. I respect your wanting to join when you get to school if you do not get a scholarship from the Navy, that is great. However, why not apply to AFROTC and AROTC now? It really does not cost you anything other than your time, and options are always good. Additionally, are you local enough to go visit PSU? If you are, go meet with each service representative (it is called a Recruiting Operations Officer for Army, not sure for the other services), and have a chat with them about their program and about nurses within that program. You will learn a ton about scholarship vs. non-scholarship, etc. You might also gain an ally in the process towards your scholarship. The more you know, the easier it will be to make decisions.
 
At college, you can attend (join) the ROTC (Army, AF, Navy) without being on scholarship up to two years (just before your junior year). I believe it is as similar as signing up for the class with your college course work. Visit the school ROTC unit if possible. If not, visit an unit at a school near you. It really helps. We visited a couple schools and meet with the different units (AF and Navy). It really helps to be able to talk face-to-face. Apply to the AFROTC and AROTC, all they can do is say no. It is worth the effort.
 
Is there a different application for Nursing for AFROTC? I might be missing something, but I didn't see Nursing as one of the major options, just the tech and foreign language option.
 
I am considering applying to the other branches. Right now my priority is getting in my general college applications by Nov 1 so realistically I'm not sure If I will have time to put together a quality application. At the same time, I have a lot of the information from doing the Navy application so it may be possible. I made accounts and began working on Army and AF last night, so hopefully I'll find time to finish them.

I did attend an info session at PSU where all branches were represented. At the time, my focus was Navy so I spoke with two nursing students. PSU is a decent drive, so I think I'll try contacting them online.

This has been said before, however, it warrants repeating. I respect your wanting to join when you get to school if you do not get a scholarship from the Navy, that is great. However, why not apply to AFROTC and AROTC now? It really does not cost you anything other than your time, and options are always good. Additionally, are you local enough to go visit PSU? If you are, go meet with each service representative (it is called a Recruiting Operations Officer for Army, not sure for the other services), and have a chat with them about their program and about nurses within that program. You will learn a ton about scholarship vs. non-scholarship, etc. You might also gain an ally in the process towards your scholarship. The more you know, the easier it will be to make decisions.
I
 
I think you'll find the applications for the different ROTC programs to be fairly similar.
 
I am considering applying to the other branches. Right now my priority is getting in my general college applications by Nov 1 so realistically I'm not sure If I will have time to put together a quality application. At the same time, I have a lot of the information from doing the Navy application so it may be possible. I made accounts and began working on Army and AF last night, so hopefully I'll find time to finish them.

I did attend an info session at PSU where all branches were represented. At the time, my focus was Navy so I spoke with two nursing students. PSU is a decent drive, so I think I'll try contacting them online.


I
You have time for Army.Next board is in January. The main focus will be to upload your grades and test scores so you can interview. I would try to do that before the schools break for Christmas break, you have plenty of time.
 
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