Hi folks, looking for some timing guidance. My son is AROTC & submitted a request for medical waiver June 6th. On July 15, he was notified he was selected for an AROTC 3C scholarship, pending results of the medical waiver. He's received no update from either his ROTC office or thru DoDMERB on waiver status. The scholarship is being applied, so far, for this semester (tuition & fees). Does anyone have ANY idea on potential timing for a waiver decision? Appreciate your guidance.
AROTC scholarship & pending medical waiver
- Thread starter NHTina
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Hopefully your ROO will keep your DS posted on the status and will get the waiver approved in time for the fall semester. Keep in mind the cashiers office (Also called the bursar) will usually have an "arrangement" to allow extra time for cadets to receive their Army ROTC funding and still allow your son to register for classes.
That said, your DS should still be prepared for a plan B to pay for at least the fall semester (and get a refund once the waiver comes through). This could be a Stafford loan, or a 529 plan withdrawal to ensure the fall semester is covered.
Worst case scenario would be the DQ stands as is, and your DS will have to find permanent alternate funding. I hope this is not the outcome and that the waiver is going to arrive any moment.
That said, your DS should still be prepared for a plan B to pay for at least the fall semester (and get a refund once the waiver comes through). This could be a Stafford loan, or a 529 plan withdrawal to ensure the fall semester is covered.
Worst case scenario would be the DQ stands as is, and your DS will have to find permanent alternate funding. I hope this is not the outcome and that the waiver is going to arrive any moment.
With a little promoting, they've answered questions but status remains "we're checking." Classes start Mondsy. We're hopeful, but know it can all be yankedin a heartbeat. Challenging to stay focused & positive some days.Hopefully your ROO will keep your DS posted on the status and will get the waiver approved in time for the fall semester. Keep in mind the cashiers office (Also called the bursar) will usually have an "arrangement" to allow extra time for cadets to receive their Army ROTC funding and still allow your son to register for classes.
That said, your DS should still be prepared for a plan B to pay for at least the fall semester (and get a refund once the waiver comes through). This could be a Stafford loan, or a 529 plan withdrawal to ensure the fall semester is covered.
Worst case scenario would be the DQ stands as is, and your DS will have to find permanent alternate funding. I hope this is not the outcome and that the waiver is going to arrive any moment.
While my son's waiver was pending he was treated as if it would be approved.
His waiver took a very long time but was in place before he was due to contract. They know they dates. They prioritize based on those dates.
It is not a process that can be rushed or manipulated.
His waiver took a very long time but was in place before he was due to contract. They know they dates. They prioritize based on those dates.
It is not a process that can be rushed or manipulated.
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Don’t assume the waiver will be approved...have a plan for if it doesn’t. I have seen plenty of applicants wait 6+ months for a decision, and the decision is not always positive. Make sure you know who at the school you will talk to if you suddenly have to pay for the current semester. Hopefully all goes well, but there is never a guarantee until you are contracted.
GoCubbies
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What can add to the timing for waiver decision is the complexity of the DQ condition(s).
If not complex, then the cadet command surgeon can make a waiver recommendation to the waiver authority based on the info you gave. If a bit complex, then the cadet command surgeon has specialists he will want to reach out to for guidance.
Sometimes, those specialists are on leave, TDY, etc and can’t look at the case right away. The specialists also have their regular clinic duties and patients to see.
I’m almost sure if it’s a behavior/mental health issue the waiver authority is at a higher level than cadet command. It’s a relatively new change (maybe 1-2 years now).
Regarding when the scholarship will pay off the current tuition bill... my DS is on AFROTC Type 1 scholarship (staring his AS200 year this week) and they state that at beginning of year the scholarship won't be paid until 45 days after first day of school. From what we saw last year that was just about right on (i.e. school started mid-Aug and his bills were paid by the scholarship end of Sept). DS just went to finance office, told him he was on AFROTC scholarship and they paid a little late and the person he spoke to seemed to have heard this before and said no problem and just extended his due date so he would not be hit with late fees. Was very simple and easy without any questions asked. But definitely want to do this to get that extension so no late fees are added in case you did need to pay for it (hoping that isn't the case). Good luck!
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Often, the unit itself handles this notification, but always best to make sure. It doesn't work at some schools though as past posts on these forums haver indicated.