Congratulations to your son on the offer of a prep scholarship, not sure which academy, but the civilian prep programs are all good and overlap. The staffers in those prep scholarship offices have been doing this for a long time, and I encourage your son to call them with questions, big or small. Ditto for him researching and calling the prep partner schools to find his best fit.
He has essentially been offered the “golden ticket.” As I noted in my post, if he successfully completes prep, maintains all other eligibility, he should be offered an appointment. Prepsters are expected to apply in the next cycle of nominations. MOC review panels and staffers are well aware of the prep program, and they will expect to see newfound maturity and insights in his essays and interviews. They will immediately know the SA wants this applicant. Should he fail to obtain a nom from those sources, the SA has noms they control. They are offering him a fairly sure shot at Class of 2026 if he does his part. If he really, really wants this SA, this is his way in. Yes, he would be choosing not to go to a college, but he would be one of the few singled out by the SA as showing the potential and worth they want to see. Others who did not receive an offer of appointment this year may buckle down and go the re-applicant path from college or may even choose to do “self-prep” at the same prep schools. Your son is in a far more favorable position.