Can NROTC Marine Options Apply for 2 and 3 year Scholarships?

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johnny1530

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Ive always assumed that Marine Option midshipmen could apply for 2 and 3 year scholarships if they don't receive the 4 year. However, recently I've heard otherwise from a few different sources. Does anyone know what the deal on this is? Did the Marines get rid of the 2 and 3 year scholarship options?
 
No, they did not get rid of them. The first option is to re-apply for the four year national scholarship as a midshipman. If unable to win a scholarship that way, then one can apply for sideload scholarships each year. Your cadre will be able to inform you how. It is a national competition and your application will be submitted through your Marine Officer Instructor.
 
Do you know how these side loads compare to the 4 year scholarships? Are they more or less competitive?
Also, how often can you apply for a side load scholarship?
 
kinnem said:
No, they did not get rid of them. The first option is to re-apply for the four year national scholarship as a midshipman. If unable to win a scholarship that way, then one can apply for sideload scholarships each year. Your cadre will be able to inform you how. It is a national competition and your application will be submitted through your Marine Officer Instructor.
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Do you know how these side loads compare to the 4 year scholarships? Are they more or less competitive?
Also, how often can you apply for a side load scholarship?
 
johnny1530 said:
Do you know how these side loads compare to the 4 year scholarships? Are they more or less competitive?
Also, how often can you apply for a side load scholarship?
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The Marine Corps has side load boards twice a year. Competition varies from board to board, depending on the number of applications received. The last board was this past October I believe, and the results came out the first week of December or so. Only 7 students were selected for a side load scholarship on that board out of all applicants nationally, most of whom were sophomores (4/7). I don't have the number of applicants for the board handy.

It's hard to compare the 4-year National and the side loads in terms of competitiveness, as they are looking at different things. To earn a side load, you'll have to have performed well in your battalion and in your classes; that's what it comes down to- they're picking top performers.
 
@NavyNOLA how many MO college programmers will be disenrolled from the program because the don't get a scholarship or advanced standing? I would have thought that if you stuck with the MO program for 2 years you would have a very good chance of getting some sort of contract that would lead to a commission.
 
5Day said:
@NavyNOLA how many MO college programmers will be disenrolled from the program because the don't get a scholarship or advanced standing? I would have thought that if you stuck with the MO program for 2 years you would have a very good chance of getting some sort of contract that would lead to a commission.
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Didn't you sort of answer this yourself in this thread https://www.serviceacademyforums.co...ar-scholarships-decreasing.51307/#post-506927 where you compiled some NavyNOLA greatest hits? In particular I'm thinking of this..
Advanced Standing:
Nominations: 195 (all 2-year side load non selects are automatically considered)
Selects: 118
Avg. GPA: 3.18
% of Recipients Calc I/II Complete: 57.6%
% of Recipients Phys I/II Complete: 34.7%
% of Recipients Tech Majors (Tier 1/2): 56.8%
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Of course that's just stats for 1 year and I can't say how representative they are.
 
@kinnem those stats and info was for NROTC. I was looking for the same sort of information for Marine Option.
 
5Day said:
@NavyNOLA how many MO college programmers will be disenrolled from the program because the don't get a scholarship or advanced standing? I would have thought that if you stuck with the MO program for 2 years you would have a very good chance of getting some sort of contract that would lead to a commission.
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I don't have that information. MCRC handles all of that separately from NSTC/OD, so I'm not usually on those email distros. I can tell you, though, that I've never seen a Marine option disenrolled at our unit in the last two years for failing to earn a scholarship; we've had many Marine College Programmers in that time, and all have earned the 4-year National or a side load in their first two years.
 
Ahhhh.... yeah those were Navy numbers I pointed to, of course. Your comment matches my experience at DS's unit over 4 years (or they at least got advanced standing). I never saw anyone dropped other than for egregious violations.
 
Well it sure appears that my MO college programmer is soon to be disenrolled along with the only other sophomore without a scholarship in the battalion. He was told by his MOI that with as few as seven to be selected for side loads this spring and perhaps two or three of those from public/state college programs, that is nearly impossible that both of them would get the scholarship. It's not about the financial aid, it's about a pathway to OCS. Any advice on a "Hail Mary" play before the final buzzer?
 
lepvf6 said:
Well it sure appears that my MO college programmer is soon to be disenrolled along with the only other sophomore without a scholarship in the battalion. He was told by his MOI that with as few as seven to be selected for side loads this spring and perhaps two or three of those from public/state college programs, that is nearly impossible that both of them would get the scholarship. It's not about the financial aid, it's about a pathway to OCS. Any advice on a "Hail Mary" play before the final buzzer?
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I'm not sure what the MOI said necessarily implies dis-enrollment. What did the MOI say about applying for Advanced Standing. I think it's a separate application process from the sideload application now, but I can't swear to that. In any case they should pursue applying for Advanced Standing or understand why it's not being allowed.

EDIT: Also occurred to me... are they being prevented from applying for the scholarship? Or just being told they are not likely to receive one? I'm pretty sure disenrollment isn't involved at this point unless there is something you or your DS are omitting.
 
MOI & GySgt "will send up the package" for side load one last time. Just being told it is unlikely they'll receive a scholarship. DS will talk to an OSO about PLC. Thanks for reminding me about Advanced Standing option.
 
lepvf6 said:
MOI & GySgt "will send up the package" for side load one last time. Just being told it is unlikely they'll receive a scholarship. DS will talk to an OSO about PLC. Thanks for reminding me about Advanced Standing option.
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Yeah, I thought you were jumping the gun on disenrollment. It might very well be difficult to get the scholarship, but if not, hopefully he'll get advanced standing. Who knows? Maybe there'll be some quick budget change over the next few weeks given they plan to grow the Corps under Trump. They will need more 2nd Lts for that.

PLC is a good backup plan and I expect they'll quickly sign him. I'm sure his bearing alone will impress them. That was my son's backup plan if worse came to worse. We were fortunate and he got the scholarship. If PLC doesn't pan out (I think he'll have 2 cracks at that) then he should look at OCC. Again, given the planned growth, I would think there is a high likelihood that one of these paths will pan out.

Good luck to your DS. Wishing him the best.
 
Given my last post I thought it appropriate to post a link to the following news article here. It's impossible to tell exactly what this means, although it certainly confirms the intention for future growth and perhaps some budget changes in the not too distant future. Not meant to get anyone's hopes up but to keep everyone informed....
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...ilitary-significantly/?utm_term=.f5a8bdf69e79
 
I appreciate your positive outlook. Do you think having my Senator call over to Pensacola might help break the log jam for my DS?
 
lepvf6 said:
I appreciate your positive outlook. Do you think having my Senator call over to Pensacola might help break the log jam for my DS?
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I wouldn't think so, but then my wife tells me I don't know much. Would you trust your son in combat, to the care of a 2nd Lt who got his scholarship because a Senator called someone? Not me.
My advice would be to just let the process work.
 
kinnem said:
PLC is a good backup plan and I expect they'll quickly sign him. I'm sure his bearing alone will impress them. That was my son's backup plan if worse came to worse. We were fortunate and he got the scholarship. If PLC doesn't pan out (I think he'll have 2 cracks at that) then he should look at OCC. Again, given the planned growth, I would think there is a high likelihood that one of these paths will pan out.
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DS was told that Advanced Standing is not available for MO. So its NROTC 2 year scholarship or drop from the program and go PLC or OCC as you said. OSO came by Friday to talk to college programmers and told them they would all likely be accepted to PLC if they didn't get the scholarship. OSO said PLC slots are full for Summer 17 already. I really like the NROTC MO program and my DS has benefited greatly from it. It would be best if he could go forward with it.
 
I'm currently a freshman college programmer Marine Option, my MOI says the same thing about being dropped if I don't pick up scholarship by the end of my sophomore year.
 
co2020fb said:
I'm currently a freshman college programmer Marine Option, my MOI says the same thing about being dropped if I don't pick up scholarship by the end of my sophomore year.
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I hope things change by then. I would guess the numbers will be looking up with the new administration, but there is no telling how quickly that will happen or how quickly the Corps will increase it's size.
 
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