Dual Enrollment Credit Issue

[gojoislife]

Hey everyone! I was just recently applying for the ROTC scholarship when I ran into a bit of an issue when the website asked for my Dual Enrollment credit hours. Some background: I've taken a bunch of college classes throughout my high school years and got a lot of credit; some from Florida International University, Georgetown, AP classes, and a community college that I attend. I currently have 58 credits and when I input that in the website, big surprise, I was flagged as "not a Freshman." The problem is that they said I may not be eligible for the scholarship since they're looking for freshmen. I'm willing to redo all my credits in order to receive this scholarship. Is there any way they will allow for that?

 

[AimHighMom]

Hey everyone! I was just recently applying for the ROTC scholarship when I ran into a bit of an issue when the website asked for my Dual Enrollment credit hours. Some background: I've taken a bunch of college classes throughout my high school years and got a lot of credit; some from Florida International University, Georgetown, AP classes, and a community college that I attend. I currently have 58 credits and when I input that in the website, big surprise, I was flagged as "not a Freshman." The problem is that they said I may not be eligible for the scholarship since they're looking for freshmen. I'm willing to redo all my credits in order to receive this scholarship. Is there any way they will allow for that?

Yes, you will find instructions on your portal. It says that you will need to upload a letter from any colleges you are applying to that says they will accept you as an academic Freshman. This shouldn't be an issue for most universities. My oldest had an associate degree when he graduated high school. The university he attended counted him as an academic Freshman for scholarships with no issues.

 

[Herman_Snerd]

Hey everyone! I was just recently applying for the ROTC scholarship when I ran into a bit of an issue when the website asked for my Dual Enrollment credit hours. Some background: I've taken a bunch of college classes throughout my high school years and got a lot of credit; some from Florida International University, Georgetown, AP classes, and a community college that I attend. I currently have 58 credits and when I input that in the website, big surprise, I was flagged as "not a Freshman." The problem is that they said I may not be eligible for the scholarship since they're looking for freshmen. I'm willing to redo all my credits in order to receive this scholarship. Is there any way they will allow for that?

Did you graduate or are you still in HS? It matters. Confirm the latest rules per branch application, but it used to be that if you earned the credits prior to graduating HS, they did not count against the limit. Point of fact, in 2018-2019 my DS had well more than the 30-32 credit limit and received a scholarship from each branch because he had earned those credits prior to graduating HS. He still did college in 4 years and used that time to mature/ complete the full ROTC training cycle.

Step by step - start with confirming the nuance details per application and please let the board know what you find.

This is key as at least for the Navy National Scholarship -
"Students with 30 or more semester hours or students with 45 or more quarter hours of college credit upon submission of the online application are not eligible for the Navy ROTC National Scholarship. It is recommended that these students contact the Professors of Naval Science at the Host University's Navy ROTC Unit to discuss other scholarship opportunities.

• College credits do not count until an applicant has graduated high school and completed a term of college; then all college credits earned (prior to and after high school graduation) count towards the eligibility requirements.
• If you are a high school graduate and complete a term of college prior to submitting your application, all college credits earned (in high school and in college) are counted towards the credit limit.
• If you are a high school graduate and are enrolled in college, all college credits anticipated to be earned by June of the application year (defined as April to January) will count towards the credit limit.

PS - Given how many credits you have, I agree with exploring the ROTC scholarships but have you considered a plan B of going the OCS/OTS route? You could be out of college in maybe 2.5 years or less (one of my daughters has as many credits as you do, and is graduating undergrad this year in only 5 semesters, even after retaking a bunch of APs since med schools want to see all the science/ math courses taken not tested out of). A strong merit/ aid package at a state school or other could mean you are on your way and living your dream much faster and without the risk of having to pay back the ROTC scholarship should something go wrong. Food for thought - good luck.

 

[A1Janitor]

I would look at OTC. My son had his AA and had over 80 hours that would have been accepted at plan B - starting as a second semester junior. He could have graduated at 22 with his law degree.

 

[GWU PNS (emeritus)]

Your best bet is to address this with your recruiter if one has been assigned to you. If not then I recommend you contact the NTAG for your region and ask them for guidance.

Herman's advice above is correct in whether or not you are still in HS makes a difference. I would make sure that you highlight your credits obtained from Georgetown since that university has a Cross Town program with GWU NROTC. Credits received from there will definitely count toward an NROTC scholarship.

I will wrap up with this. You claim whatever credits you wish to try and transfer but understand many universities will not accept degree credits in terms of matriculating toward a degree at their university.

The guidance changes every year and even though I just retired, I am not sure I have the latest "gouge". Your recruiter or NTAG will know for sure.

 

[AimHighMom]

Did you graduate or are you still in HS? It matters. Confirm the latest rules per branch application, but it used to be that if you earned the credits prior to graduating HS, they did not count against the limit. Point of fact, in 2018-2019 my DS had well more than the 30-32 credit limit and received a scholarship from each branch because he had earned those credits prior to graduating HS. He still did college in 4 years and used that time to mature/ complete the full ROTC training cycle.

Step by step - start with confirming the nuance details per application and please let the board know what you find.

This is key as at least for the Navy National Scholarship -
"Students with 30 or more semester hours or students with 45 or more quarter hours of college credit upon submission of the online application are not eligible for the Navy ROTC National Scholarship. It is recommended that these students contact the Professors of Naval Science at the Host University's Navy ROTC Unit to discuss other scholarship opportunities.

• College credits do not count until an applicant has graduated high school and completed a term of college; then all college credits earned (prior to and after high school graduation) count towards the eligibility requirements.
• If you are a high school graduate and complete a term of college prior to submitting your application, all college credits earned (in high school and in college) are counted towards the credit limit.
• If you are a high school graduate and are enrolled in college, all college credits anticipated to be earned by June of the application year (defined as April to January) will count towards the credit limit.

PS - Given how many credits you have, I agree with exploring the ROTC scholarships but have you considered a plan B of going the OCS/OTS route? You could be out of college in maybe 2.5 years or less (one of my daughters has as many credits as you do, and is graduating undergrad this year in only 5 semesters, even after retaking a bunch of APs since med schools want to see all the science/ math courses taken not tested out of). A strong merit/ aid package at a state school or other could mean you are on your way and living your dream much faster and without the risk of having to pay back the ROTC scholarship should something go wrong. Food for thought - good luck.

That's true, my statement only holds true if the OP hasn't graduated high school. I was also only referencing the Army ROTC portal. I don't have any knowledge of Navy ROTC.

 

[gojoislife]

Did you graduate or are you still in HS? It matters. Confirm the latest rules per branch application, but it used to be that if you earned the credits prior to graduating HS, they did not count against the limit. Point of fact, in 2018-2019 my DS had well more than the 30-32 credit limit and received a scholarship from each branch because he had earned those credits prior to graduating HS. He still did college in 4 years and used that time to mature/ complete the full ROTC training cycle.

Step by step - start with confirming the nuance details per application and please let the board know what you find.

This is key as at least for the Navy National Scholarship -
"Students with 30 or more semester hours or students with 45 or more quarter hours of college credit upon submission of the online application are not eligible for the Navy ROTC National Scholarship. It is recommended that these students contact the Professors of Naval Science at the Host University's Navy ROTC Unit to discuss other scholarship opportunities.

• College credits do not count until an applicant has graduated high school and completed a term of college; then all college credits earned (prior to and after high school graduation) count towards the eligibility requirements.
• If you are a high school graduate and complete a term of college prior to submitting your application, all college credits earned (in high school and in college) are counted towards the credit limit.
• If you are a high school graduate and are enrolled in college, all college credits anticipated to be earned by June of the application year (defined as April to January) will count towards the credit limit.

PS - Given how many credits you have, I agree with exploring the ROTC scholarships but have you considered a plan B of going the OCS/OTS route? You could be out of college in maybe 2.5 years or less (one of my daughters has as many credits as you do, and is graduating undergrad this year in only 5 semesters, even after retaking a bunch of APs since med schools want to see all the science/ math courses taken not tested out of). A strong merit/ aid package at a state school or other could mean you are on your way and living your dream much faster and without the risk of having to pay back the ROTC scholarship should something go wrong. Food for thought - good luck.

Thanks for your response! I am currently still a senior in high school so hopefully the 90 credits I will have by the end of the year won't count against me. Also I will consider doing OCS/OTS as a back up in case things go wrong.

 

[kinnem]

You should be fine as a senior in high school. NROTC for sure and I expect the others as well. However, expect to spend 4 years in the program. It's designed for 4 years. If you don't want to do that then go OCS. You should still pursue @GWU PNS (emeritus) suggestion and review with your recruiter or NTAG.

 

[Herman_Snerd]

Thanks for your response! I am currently still a senior in high school so hopefully the 90 credits I will have by the end of the year won't count against me. Also I will consider doing OCS/OTS as a back up in case things go wrong.

Graduating HS with 90 credits with a determination to serve as an officer? Hooah, were you one of my children, I would be urging my young adult/ child to utilize the transfer portal of specific universities to confirm which would accept most of those credits (and which might surprisingly not) it would seem you have a path to even double major in 2.5 years or less. Maybe shorter if you find the right program. You could then pursue OCS/ OTS as a path to commission and serve as an officer. Shorter, less risk, and if you pick the right program you might be able to tackle some grad course credits too or even a graduate degree all before you would be graduating from a traditional 4 year SA or ROTC program/ school.

I just checked one school portal only - that school doesn't accept transfer credits after 90 credits - others may vary. It's nearly certain all 90 will not be used to fill specific courses vs gen ed, but you might be surprised which will - languages, engineering, some math prereqs. But I would talk to the university where you earned those credits and ask where prior students had the most success getting them to count.

Time for the proverbial chat with the person in the mirror -what do you want and how do you want to get there. I'm just pointing out you, like one of my kids, can wrap up college pretty quickly given how far along you already are. I'll say this - knowing I won't have to pay for another 3 semesters does not stink and she is eager to move to her next steps for her career so it's a win-win. If you are from a wealthy family or just want the 4 year college experience, then the 4 year route makes sense. It presents though that you have an opportunity for a rapid path, if you want it.