Dropping NROTC scholarship

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Rasta

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My son is a junior and is struggling mentally with being away at college. He has yet to meet the required GPA and has had 2 PRB meetings. He’s not able to test well even when he knows the material. He’s in study groups, tutoring and online help. He’s at his wits end and is seeking help with a school counselor for his depression. He is at the point of wanting to change course by not going into the military and finish college at home. My question is where can I find what he will owe if he takes this route.
 
Rasta said:
My son is a junior and is struggling mentally with being away at college. He has yet to meet the required GPA and has had 2 PRB meetings. He’s not able to test well even when he knows the material. He’s in study groups, tutoring and online help. He’s at his wits end and is seeking help with a school counselor for his depression. He is at the point of wanting to change course by not going into the military and finish college at home. My question is where can I find what he will owe if he takes this route.
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First step is to review the contract he signed.
 
It all depends on the situation. If it's medical for depression, he may not have to pay anything back. If it's academic, he may have to pay all of it back or enlist. The best course of action is for him to consult with his leadership.
 
An up to date accounting of his obligated costs are contained in his Student File, maintained by his LT adviser.
 
I recommend retaining counsel who specializes in this area. Per related past posts it's a bit of a gauntlet wherein if your DS DOR (drops on request) the obligation is likely on your DS, whereas if you are medically DQ'd you may or may not have an obligation. If you're injured while say completing PT with your unit, the cost or service obligation could be waived. But I'm concerned here that they may lump mental health into something outside of happening while participating. I'm always a little disappointed when a unit pushes to have the mid DOR and puts the obligation on them, when mental health is a concern - but see prior posts from others - it has happened.

I would say bottom line the health of your child is what's critical here, and if he ends up owing 2.5 years of scholarship back, it's challenging but at least you still have him, are getting him help, etc.

Sorry to hear your DS is struggling and glad you are getting him the care he needs. It's early in the semester - can he take a LOA and perhaps not have to pay for this semester at school, come home and say take 9 credits at an online school, continue his course of therapy, and then look to return if he's back on his feet? IDK, but maybe others can provide additional guidance on options. I would also call his adviser and the bursar's office for guidance - outside of ROTC, on his options for this semester and his path forward.

Good luck.
 
It looks like you have the answer - he'll be liable for all, some, or none of the costs if he drops out. The determining factor being why he leaves the program.

The larger concern is why is he still struggling with being away at college after 2.5 years. If the struggle is purely academic, he probably won't do any better at home, at a local or online college. If it's still separation anxiety, the military may not be for him at all (at least until he can overcome this).
 
Rasta said:
He’s not able to test well even when he knows the material.
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In addition to what others have said, if my child were struggling in this way I would consider a psychoeducational evaluation for a learning disability. My child struggled in school for years, even with extra help, and we finally had him tested outside of the school system during high school. Having a definitive learning disability diagnosis helped us get him the type of help he actually needed (unfortunately after he spent many years getting "help" that wasn't actually helpful for him).
 
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