Declining an AFROTC Scholarship

[TheGoluckyOne]

I was offered a type 7 scholarship for a foreign language major. The problem though is that I listed on the application and am set on majoring in aviation to become a pilot. Essentially, I am not willing to dedicate four years of my life to a foreign language and go into a career in the Air Force that I don't want to do. If I decline the scholarship, put personal reason as to why, and explain that I do not want to go to school for that major, would they offer me a different scholarship/major, or would it be left as that with no scholarship?

 

[CGA applicant 2024]

I was offered a type 7 scholarship for a foreign language major. The problem though is that I listed on the application and am set on majoring in aviation to become a pilot. Essentially, I am not willing to dedicate four years of my life to a foreign language and go into a career in the Air Force that I don't want to do. If I decline the scholarship, put personal reason as to why, and explain that I do not want to go to school for that major, would they offer me a different scholarship/major, or would it be left as that with no scholarship?

I would not decline if you want a different major, contact your scholarship technician and see if you would be able to change. If you put foreign language major as one of your preferences I would assume that is what you get, not sure why else they would offer it. Once you decline I believe the instructions state that is a permanent decision.

Also, what do you mean by "majoring in aviation?" You can only major in an approved major, do you mean aerospace engineering?

If you go into AFROTC regardless of your major, you don't have a guarantee that you will become a pilot. You will compete with everyone else who has that goal, and the top candidates will receive a slot. If you truly wouldn't want any other career than AFROTC is not for you. As I have been told, the needs of the Air Force come first, if they align with your goals than that is great.

 

[kinnem]

I was offered a type 7 scholarship for a foreign language major. The problem though is that I listed on the application and am set on majoring in aviation to become a pilot. Essentially, I am not willing to dedicate four years of my life to a foreign language and go into a career in the Air Force that I don't want to do. If I decline the scholarship, put personal reason as to why, and explain that I do not want to go to school for that major, would they offer me a different scholarship/major, or would it be left as that with no scholarship?

I expect you would be left with no scholarship, although I do not KNOW that. The scholarship was offered premised on your specified major. I suppose they might throw you back in the pool for the next board.

Is there a contact number or email in your award letter? Reach out and ask someone official.

 

[CGA applicant 2024]

I expect you wou km d be left with no scholarship, although I do not KNOW that. The scholarship was offered premised on your spefified major. I suppose they might through you back in the pool for the next board.

Is there a contact number or email in your award letter? Reach out and ask someone official.

From AFROTC instructions available for download on the application website:

"Once you decline your Air Force ROTC scholarship offer, it cannot be reinstated at a later date."

 

[unkown1961]

Take it because the scholarship does not limit you to not being a pilot. All majors can try to go that route. My son went to college on that scholarship and had the opportunity to choose "rated" and go the pilot route (but chose Intel). Unless I'm mistaken, that scholarship doesn't negate you from trying to be a pilot. And from what he saw, there is no career option that funnels foreign language majors into a career where you're speaking that language. He's been told that he probably;y won't use his language skills.

 

[Phrogfam]

I will relate what happened to our son (who also intends to become a pilot)... He applied non-tech (general) and was awarded a tech type 7. After speaking with the technician/clerk at Maxwell, he told us that a) this is the scholarship that was awarded (take it or leave it, essentially) and b) if he wants to decline the scholarship, he can. If wants to try for a (non-tech) scholarship, he will have to apply again and see what happens. No guarantees. You are not put automatically back into the pool of candidates for the last two boards. This is what we were told.

 

[franknd]

I will relate what happened to our son (who also intends to become a pilot)... He applied non-tech (general) and was awarded a tech type 7. After speaking with the technician/clerk at Maxwell, he told us that a) this is the scholarship that was awarded (take it or leave it, essentially) and b) if he wants to decline the scholarship, he can. If wants to try for a (non-tech) scholarship, he will have to apply again and see what happens. No guarantees. You are not put automatically back into the pool of candidates for the last two boards. This is what we were told.

And no explanation at all as to how or why this happened? Not even that it was maybe discussed in the interview?

I can't imagine how intentionally doing this -- making an offer for something that specifically wasn't requested -- makes any sense on the Air Force's part at all. Got to believe there is a glitch or some kind of miscommunication in the system somewhere for this to happen.

 

[Phrogfam]

And no explanation at all as to how or why this happened? Not even that it was maybe discussed in the interview?

I can't imagine how intentionally doing this -- making an offer for something that specifically wasn't requested -- makes any sense on the Air Force's part at all. Got to believe there is a glitch or some kind of miscommunication in the system somewhere for this to happen.

He offered no explanation at all. We asked him a couple of times, and he reiterated that he was awarded a tech scholarship. Maybe he didn't know the answer.

I am fairly confident that 'going tech' was not mentioned in the interview. The captain and my son spent quite a while talking about him (my son) going non-tech and how that was a good option because it doesn't tie you down like the tech route. My son had already been accepted to all his schools when he interviewed, and the captain was very aware that he had chosen a business major.

So, how it happened - dunno. Meanwhile, my son wants to do AFROTC, and since there is a will, there is a way.

 

[franknd]

That's unfortunate. At least he's got another couple boards to get another crack. This is illustrative, though, of why I don't like the trite phrase, "Trust the process." I'm a "trust, but verify" kind of guy myself. When something like this happens it warrants an explanation.

 

[USAFA_2024_Candidate_Fam]

Our DS was offered a non-tech Type 2 which only states it must be an "approved major". If he doesn't receive an appointment for C/O 2024, he has confirmed with all of his potential 4-year school choices that their Aviation (Flight or Business) degrees fall within the "approved major". From the comments thus far, we feel very fortunate that his wasn't tied to a tech path.