AFROTC Type 7 Question

[myDDnotme]

Hello,

I've looked around and have not seen anything on this, so maybe that is my answer right there. My DD received an AROTC 4-year for her top schools and Type 7 AFROTC (with option to convert to Type 2) this week. So proud of her to persevere through all of this 2020 pandemic craziness, had started preparing freshman year, endured the ROTC application process, and so on!! Very humbled as well.

My DD is a general studies major for AROTC, and a critical language major for AFROTC, so language scholarship. Her top 2 schools are expensive private schools, so she can convert the Type 7 to Type 2 3-year with cap, but will only cover about 25% of her 4-year private school tuition. As a result, AROTC scholarship is the better offer, but she has her PPL and still has interest in Air Force (although helicopters could definitely scratch that aviation itch in Army!). Does AFROTC ever (later), offer Type 7/converted-to-Type 2, to a Type 1? Just curious if there's any chance of that for a critical language major? I hear that sometimes AROTC will change 3 years to 4, but haven't found anything that AFROTC does that. Thank you for any experienced insight!

 

[VMI2017+3]

Scholarships aren’t upgraded (or at least I’ve never heard of it), although there may be an additional allowance for the language major.

 

[Herman_Snerd]

Congrats to your DD on being the recipient of these opportunities. Your description reminds me of my DS who also got his PPL in HS and has similar interests.


A few thoughts; I have only heard of one actual exception of the Air Force upgrading the designation of their scholarships like from Type 7 to a Type 2 or 1. Last year at least, if you attended one of the top 16 schools (Ivy League included, MIT et al.) in the nation, the AF would reportedly convert it to a 4 Year Type 1. Search this board for details.

Also, what I have heard of are some AFROTC programs/ their hosting schools treating a type 7 as if it were one of the higher statuses. For example WVU will reportedly take out of state AFROTC type 7 winners and treat them as in-state.

I would reach out to the top choices like the 2 private schools and ask if they have any funding - that's a 2 part question - one discussion from your DD to the AFROTC cadre who sometimes has funds directly and another question from your DD to the bursar's office to see what the university can do. See if they can offer merit/ financial aid and if you can stack these with your AFROTC scholarship. Also explore which programs will come with an upgrade of covering room and board and which will not for both branches. In the end you may find a number of schools where all including room and board is covered and others where you'll get roughly 54k of over 300 covered and after merit/ financial aid may still owe 200k. In some cases you'll actually make money to attend - yes, get money back.

Can you find an in-state AFROTC program if she wants to join the Air Force with her type 7? Then it's the same as a higher type, I believe.

Which major would she prefer? Where will she be most happy, and what's the bottom line cost for that option. What can you afford and hopefully avoid debt. Then armed with details you can make your best choice.

Army does have some fixed wing craft fyi - not a lot so likely that would be a rotating wing opportunity if she branched aviation.

Air force has a lot of pilots. But the great majority of officers are not pilots in the USAF.

Good luck and please keep the board posted on what you find out.