Can AFROTC CLS Scholarship be for a CROSS-TOWN University of that Det?

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cvicisso

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My son has been recruited for swimming by a top-10 school (no $ - just guaranteed admission). He has also applied for an AFROTC HSSP, had his interview (at a local University - not the school he wants to go to), and we are now waiting for the first board. We are expecting results early November... after ED applications are due. The scholarship is the absolute only way we can afford this school (we don't qualify for ANY need-based help). The school that wants him does not have an AFROTC Det, but is a cross-town to another det. He must apply ED to get the swimming deal.

Not saying this is what we would want to happen... just wondering if it's possible. Can the Host Det Commander offer a Commander's Leadership Scholarship to my kid who will be attending the Cross-town school? If so, does this happen before the first board in October? After the board, is it then impossible to get a CLS?

I know it's taboo to ask the Det about this, so that's why I'm asking the experts here!

Thanks in advance!
 
There’s a bit to unpack in your note.
  • It sounds like your son has applied to the AFROTC HSSP Scholarship – HS standing for high school. And a college is offering him guaranteed admission, if he signs an ED agreement (ED - the worst deal in academia unless you are wealthy/ don't care) as a recruited athlete (swim), regardless of what financial aid, merit scholarships or ROTC scholarships he may or may not get… or keep.
  • It sounds like you can in no way afford to pay that tuition without scholarships. Please take a moment to reflect on why you would sign an agreement to pay for a tuition you may not be able to afford before knowing what scholarships/ merit/financial aid you may receive. Why - to gain admission to one specific school? Must be an awesome school. Sounds like you already know you won’t be getting financial aid. Also, AFROTC drops a percentage of “winners” after 2 years, he could get injured, or he may be DQd medically or for performance at any time. Also, what if another college offers a 100% free ride including room and board. Imagine you’re now committed to attend this school you can’t afford and can’t take the free ride literally in his hand in the months to come. Avoidable, foreseeable challenges.
  • AFROTC has redesigned their scholarships from prior year formats. Please confirm, but aren’t Commander’s scholarships now ICSP (In-college scholarships), not part of the HSSP High school scholarship program? The scholarships if awarded can be used at any school that participates with a detachment. They know where your son is going to school, know him from participating as a college programmer in ROTC. They can decide whether to offer him a commander’s scholarship, or not.
  • Do commander scholarships happen before the first board? No, as the board is for High school students, and ICSP commander scholarships are for college students already participating who earn the scholarship.
  • Unless their website is incomplete, it sounds like you’re mixing two different programs, only one of which applies to your hs son. But don't trust me as some anonymous internet source - call them to confirm.
  • Sorry, but completely disagree you can’t discuss your questions with the detachment as a high schooler. He should confirm the commander’s scholarships are for ICSP, not HSSP with them - show them the same info from the links above. He should confirm if the college can offer room and board- the ROTC scholarship does not offer both tuition/fees and room/ board. Please do so and if you’re willing, let the board know what you find out.

Good luck.
 
Thanks for the thorough response.

You are correct about us not being able to afford the school without scholarship(s), and the mandate from the coach that we must apply ED (and thereby avoid normal admissions). You are also correct about it being an awesome school. We feel it's worth the risk. To quote the great philosopher Eminem, "If you had one shot, or one opportunity... would you capture it or just let it slip?" This is my kid's shot. :cool:

Besides, "binding" or not, they simply can't MAKE you attend a school you can't afford. So I'm not really sweating that.

Regarding my comment about asking the Det about the Commander's Scholarship, I simply meant it just feels like bad form to me. There are plenty of posts here and elsewhere saying basically that if you ask, you're not the guy they're looking for.

After reading your post, I searched and found the latest AFROTCI 36-2011 Aug 2021, which does have sections for both the "CS" and "ICSP," so I do think they're both still around. The CS is for HSSP applicants (only), must happen before the HSSP board sees the applicant's package, and CAN be used for schools attached to the Det.

So, it looks like your response prompted me to dig a little deeper and answer my own question! :D Thanks!
 
cvicisso said:
Thanks for the thorough response.

You are correct about us not being able to afford the school without scholarship(s), and the mandate from the coach that we must apply ED (and thereby avoid normal admissions). You are also correct about it being an awesome school. We feel it's worth the risk. To quote the great philosopher Eminem, "If you had one shot, or one opportunity... would you capture it or just let it slip?" This is my kid's shot. :cool:

Besides, "binding" or not, they simply can't MAKE you attend a school you can't afford. So I'm not really sweating that.

Regarding my comment about asking the Det about the Commander's Scholarship, I simply meant it just feels like bad form to me. There are plenty of posts here and elsewhere saying basically that if you ask, you're not the guy they're looking for.

After reading your post, I searched and found the latest AFROTCI 36-2011 Aug 2021, which does have sections for both the "CS" and "ICSP," so I do think they're both still around. The CS is for HSSP applicants (only), must happen before the HSSP board sees the applicant's package, and CAN be used for schools attached to the Det.

So, it looks like your response prompted me to dig a little deeper and answer my own question! :D Thanks!
Click to expand...

They may not be able to make you attend the school, but other schools will honor that ED.
 
Also, we should know the 1st HSSP board results around Nov 4. Worst case, he pulls his ED application if he doesn't get the scholarship, which we are free to do any time until the ED decision is reached in mid-December. So, even less of a risk.
 
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