Is it worth it financially?

Quite the post coming, so just a forewarning.

I'll save you the specific details, but basically, I was planning on attending USNA (LOA received, appointment in December), but I tore my ACL and lateral meniscus in early November during a football game. I'm trying my best to recover in time to attend USNA this year, but I want to make sure I have a solid plan B.

My plan B is to attend the University of Texas at Austin, but I was unable to receive an NROTC scholarship due to my injury as I waited to take the fitness test until after the season (dumb idea, don't recommend). So, at this point, I'm looking at sideloading for a 3-year NROTC scholarship. The total cost, assuming a 3-year scholarship and around $5,000 in parental contributions a year, would be around $57,000 for all 4 years (haven't decided if I would want to do Greek Life at UT yet as that would add on a pretty hefty sum to the total). $27,000 would be in federal loans, while the rest would be a plus/private mix.

My current plan to repay that is to take the USAA Career Starter loan at $25,000 and 2.99% to pay off as much of the private loans as possible (as those will be around 7-8%, hopefully). That leaves a total of $37,000 left in loans (I would save $5,000 of the starter loan for initial expenses).

If I service-selected something with a 5-year ADSO, I would have to do 8 to get full GI benefits, just to give a reasonable estimate for pay each year.

Would I be in terrible financial shape with around 40,000 in student loans as an officer? What other benefits might be available to pay off the loans? I definitely want to attend UT if I can't make USNA, but I want to make sure it's actually feasible to pay off the debt in a reasonable fashion first. Probably missing some stuff in this post, so feel free to point it out. Thanks!

Are you a Texas resident? If you are willing to attend the USNA, and want to attend a Texas university, why not also consider TAMU as a plan B? I understand TAMU offers R&B in addition to any other merit awards to all ROTC scholarship cadets.

You have laid everything out very well, and I am sorry about your injury.

What I don’t see is a conversation with USNA Admissions about a re-admit plan. Every year, applicants with appointments in hand, some with LOAs, experience an injury or illness that will preclude them from reporting on I-Day. Often an agreement is reached that the appointee is essentially given an LOA to the next class, agrees to take plebe-like classes at the local community college, rehabs at home as necessary to clear the med DQ, reapplies for noms, and stays focused and out of trouble. They offered you a seat in Class of 2028 - they know Life Happens. Have you had that discussion?

What she said!!!

Capt MJ said:

You have laid everything out very well, and I am sorry about your injury.

What I don’t see is a conversation with USNA Admissions about a re-admit plan. Every year, applicants with appointments in hand, some with LOAs, experience an injury or illness that will preclude them from reporting on I-Day. Often an agreement is reached that the appointee is essentially given an LOA to the next class, agrees to take plebe-like classes at the local community college, rehabs at home as necessary to clear the med DQ, reapplies for noms, and stays focused and out of trouble. They offered you a seat in Class of 2028 - they know Life Happens. Have you had that discussion?

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Capt MJ is back!

Welcome back, ma’am!

@Capt MJ nailed it. Talk to them.

Part of that convo with USNA *might* include NAPS. Ask the question! It COULD be something to consider. My guys Iday roommate was to be a person from NAPS who was sent there with an injury, similar story to yours. While not common, It does happen. And if that’s the case, jump on it.

So sorry that you are going through this. But there is a reason, and it will all work out and you will end up in the proper spot. Keep up the PMA!

Let us know how it goes for you!!

robinolds'mustache said:

Would I be in terrible financial shape with around 40,000 in student loans as an officer? What other benefits might be available to pay off the loans? I definitely want to attend UT if I can't make USNA, but I want to make sure it's actually feasible to pay off the debt in a reasonable fashion first. Probably missing some stuff in this post, so feel free to point it out. Thanks!

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Just remember every decision, every transaction has opportunity costs. Can you survive and possibly thrive under that outcome, sure. You would also be paying back the starter loan and college loan at same time.

But, are there other options that allow you to be debtless in 4 years, and able to use that starter loan on your future instead of your past? In 40-50 years, are you more likely going to recall fondly the awesome experience at UT or lament the missed compounding interest from that 37k that was invested in ,say, a Roth instead? Only you can decide that, of course.

Capt MJ said:

You have laid everything out very well, and I am sorry about your injury.

What I don’t see is a conversation with USNA Admissions about a re-admit plan. Every year, applicants with appointments in hand, some with LOAs, experience an injury or illness that will preclude them from reporting on I-Day. Often an agreement is reached that the appointee is essentially given an LOA to the next class, agrees to take plebe-like classes at the local community college, rehabs at home as necessary to clear the med DQ, reapplies for noms, and stays focused and out of trouble. They offered you a seat in Class of 2028 - they know Life Happens. Have you had that discussion?

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I discussed it briefly with my BGO right after the injury happened, but I haven't learned much since, as I'm still in the running for a waiver for this year. Another reason I'm pushing this year is that I've also received an offer to play football, but obviously, I can do without that if needed.

If I delay a year, I would like to attend UT and be a college programmer for ROTC. I've grown pretty fond of the university now that I've been forced to seriously consider it, and I think there are a lot of cool opportunities at UT and in Austin, not to mention Adm. McRaven is still a pretty big part of the university, and I would give up a leg (the one with the bad ACL of course) to meet him. But it would be extremely hard to justify that debt for just a year given how insanely expensive Austin is. So, it'll probably be a less expensive state school or community college like you said.

Another issue with UT is that I would have to enroll by May 1st, but I won't take my return-to-sport tests until mid-May, which lets me know for sure whether I'll be able to make the class of 2028 or have to push it back a year. Thanks for your help Capt MJ, nice to see you back!

robinolds'mustache said:

I discussed it briefly with my BGO right after the injury happened, but I haven't learned much since, as I'm still in the running for a waiver for this year. Another reason I'm pushing this year is that I've also received an offer to play football, but obviously, I can do without that if needed.

If I delay a year, I would like to attend UT and be a college programmer for ROTC. I've grown pretty fond of the university now that I've been forced to seriously consider it, and I think there are a lot of cool opportunities at UT and in Austin, not to mention Adm. McRaven is still a pretty big part of the university, and I would give up a leg (the one with the bad ACL of course) to meet him. But it would be extremely hard to justify that debt for just a year given how insanely expensive Austin is. So, it'll probably be a less expensive state school or community college like you said.

Another issue with UT is that I would have to enroll by May 1st, but I won't take my return-to-sport tests until mid-May, which lets me know for sure whether I'll be able to make the class of 2028 or have to push it back a year. Thanks for your help Capt MJ, nice to see you back!

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You are doing a good job of critical thinking. Let us know how it goes.

robinolds'mustache said:

If I delay a year, I would like to attend UT and be a college programmer for ROTC. I've grown pretty fond of the university now that I've been forced to seriously consider it, and I think there are a lot of cool opportunities at UT and in Austin, not to mention Adm. McRaven is still a pretty big part of the university, and I would give up a leg (the one with the bad ACL of course) to meet him. But it would be extremely hard to justify that debt for just a year given how insanely expensive Austin is. So, it'll probably be a less expensive state school or community college like you said.

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He’s very humble. He released a new book, it’s a pretty good insight into leadership and offers specific stories and lessons.

Great post and responses thus far.

Just remember that ROTC will pay a monthly stipend and book costs for some students depending on your status.

You can also get a job to bring in cash if necessary.

Good luck!

Most schools offer work study programs. After your freshman year, you can also consider being a Resident Advisor for a dorm. Different schools have different payment to you for being a RA, but some offer free room and board. Just some future options to consider.

Awesome posts and kudos the the OP for being conscientious and considering all impacts.

ROTC/ Football, USNA or UT - you need to be healed and ready to undergo the rigors of a football And/or Sa or ROTC program-
1. track your recovery date by when you'll be ready to rock. As you know that may not coincide with the Navy training timing for this year - look as others noted at being a member of the class of '28 and '29 as options.
2. Need Plebe Summer/ i-Day details from USNA.
3. NROTC: used to be only scholarship Midn attended NSI in the summer at Great lakes for ROTC, but check with UT if they send college programmers to NSI or not. Because you might need to perform sooner than you were thinking on the NROTC path. Confirm signup options for college programming - what steps would you need to take this semester to be signed up, if any.

Check with current mids but UT trainees may not get as much facetime with the Admiral as you would like IDK- maybe the indeed do. In lieu of spending ____ to go to UT, you might instead attend his public speaking engagements - even a few of those might get you more facetime and allow you to scratch that itch. Search his name with speaking engagements and you'll get the options.

I say this as a former college athlete who needed bulk *which may or may not apply to you - think about whether having less bulk might aid your knee recovery - six feet >240 with awesome squat numbers is harder on the knees than six feet 190 (I blew out my knee in college sports / can relate).

Lastly, amid your options planning, factor in that your knee might not recover to a place where, without another surgery or whatever it will hold up to the rigors of ROTC training or football. You might get 100 or maybe 90% recovered or better.... Regarding cost, you can go to a community college or affordable option/ in-state state school and tackle half your degree then transfer if you don't have a better option via merit/ financial aid, and still get the hook 'em experience with less debt - just something to think about. Ensure you have a plan B you can afford, if neither football or a path to serve works out. If you can, avoid debt- I agree with you and others - it does matter.

Best of luck to you.