Clueless and worried

Applying to the school is coming as soon as we can get the duel enrollment credits figured out.
Just be aware that AROTC is a 120 credit process. You have to be a full time student each semester and complete 120 credits. So even if you go in with college credits you can't graduate early. That's unfortunate because it could be a plus financially if your DS doesn't get a scholarship. He could double major, or have a minor, but you need to be there for all four years for AROTC (for undergrad). One more thing, in any given battalion many if not most cadets do not enter with a scholarship...many ways to commission.
 
2) Technically speaking he's not supposed to contract until his MSIII (junior) year unless he's an SMP cadet or on scholarship. I have known of some cadets at SMCs contracting slightly earlier, but I'm not sure how the schools circumvent the regulation. Maybe someone else can speak to that.

FYI...Cadets can contract as early as start of MS 2 year (Sophomore year)...but preferably no later than start of MS 3 year (Junior year). Don't need to be SMP.
 
Oops, ok, my assumption about West Point was incorrect. Not exactly knowledgeable on the subject yet, just going off what my memory says about what we learned at the school. Learning.

What is a SMC and a SMP?

The Cadet program with ROTC is what my son wants to do, and graduate with a commission. They said that most contract in their sophomore years, but some even do it as a freshman. I'm assuming after learning this new bit of information from Jcc that they were talking about Scholarship recipients? (3 and 4 year.) I totally understand that they aren't going to take just any Tom, Dick, or Harry who shows up beating their chests and singing, "pick me!" to be a commissioned officer, but my kid is a very good candidate. (Most parents think so, I'm sure. LOL!) He does have a stellar recommendation from his JROTC instructor (recently retired Major,) for whatever that is worth. But granted, most of our personal military experience has only been from the enlisted side.

SMC=Senior Military College. You pay like you would at a regular college, but have the Military Lifestyle (Corps of Cadets). Participate in ROTC and you may or may not receive an ROTC scholarship, either at the National level (the ones available to High School Seniors) or the Battalion level.
SMP is Simultaneous Membership Program. I don't know enough about that to talk about it.


SMP is Simultaneous Membership Program, i.e. being in both the Army National Guard (SMP is not available for AF National Guard) & Army ROTC at the same time.

The student/cadet/soldier both drills monthly with Army NG & is member of ROTC in college, typically in the last 2-3 years of school, while being on scholarship.

The student/cadet/soldier "shadows" a junior officer during NG drills instead of serving as an enlisted man. ROTC & NG activities can somtimes conflict but can usually be worked out. SMP cadets, once having graduated and been commissioned, agree to serve as officer in NG (no active duty) for, I believe, 6 years.

That's the general outline. There's loads more of SMP information available elsewhere on this site, posted by those with more knowledge than myself.
 
If his father is a retired E7 he might be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Those benefits can be transferred to a dependent. The educational benefits are awesome so its worth investigating if he qualifies.
 
Just a quick update:

It took forever, but we finally got everything straight and he is accepted!! We have been working on applying for the scholarship for several weeks now (he did retake his ACT, made a 22....) BUT our problem now is that we have been unable to register on the GOARMY.COM website! I've spoken with the high school and college, called the 800 number, sent emails to the tech support, but have heard nothing. Is there any other way to apply for this scholarship than by going through the website? It's been very frustrating and we are running out of time. We have tried using 3 separate email addresses, two separate domain names (including my state .gov address) and CANNOT get a "confirmation" email from the site which will allow us to continue the registration process. We've checked all spam folders and made sure no domains are blocked. Nor have I heard back from tech support after two attempts. We have also used several different computers and devices to try this registration. No luck so far. Any ideas?
 
After briefly reading some other threads, I am afraid we are way behind the power curve....

DS is a senior this year......in JROTC (Army,) on the Raider Team (is co-captain,) and plans on doing soccer in the spring. ACT composite was 21 and his unweighted GPA is 89.9 (he's not a test taker, unfortunately.) He is a great student, self motivated, in shape, and pretty straight edge as kids go. (Like most all of you on here!) He recently visited UNG and wants to attend the cadet program.

He is planning on applying for the Army ROTC scholarship, but I am decently sure he won't even come close to getting one. He just doesn't look as good on paper as so many others who are worried about this. I am a single mom and his father isn't helpful. He's had to follow me through so many moves since my divorce..... He has ALWAYS wanted to join the Army, and up until the divorce he was a military brat. His father is a retired E7.

I'm also afraid we've waited too long to apply. He's just now applying to the school, pending getting the duel enrollment class credits figured out.

I desperately want him to attend this school and do this program because that's what he wants for himself.....to join the Active Army as an Officer. But I am worried about how to pay for it all....I don't think he would qualify for Pell, but FAFSA doesn't open until January so I don't know. Also don't think pell covers room and board, but not sure. Any tips?
One quick note...at least when I was in school, the Pell Grant was a paltry amount. Don't count on it to cover much.
 
I've tried three separate browsers now, plus whatever is on the android phones. I will call the guy in charge of the scholarship at the college today, as I did hear back from him via email yesterday. Yes, I know the Pell doesn't really cover squat, but every little bit helps. Still not sure we will even qualify, I think I am on the cusp if child support is included (which kinda stinks because child support stops when they start college, but I digress. LOL!) I do have another son (same age, going to college next fall too) so that might help a little on the FAFSA. No, they are not twins, but close enough (I adopted him at age 2, they are 2 days apart.)

Yay college! I'm ecstatic both are even going! Well, my other son is doing a commercial diving program at a technical school, but it's higher education and I am thrilled. I am super proud of both my boys......we will get it all worked out somehow.
 
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