Excess ROTC scholarship

[willowandfern]

I am interested if there are any institutions that reimburse excess funds from an AROTC scholarship? As in the scholarship is "stacked" on top of already existing aid, and a check is cut of the excess money. Specifically Massachusetts's institutions would be great, as I do not know if it varies by state.

My current college says that my ROTC scholarship does not affect my 'demonstrated financial need' (as it shouldn't- the scholarship does not change ones economic background), but that as far as they know they have to include the ROTC scholarship as 'awarded financial assistance', which cannot exceed the cost of attendance. I explained this is really isn't awarded financial assistance, as you sign a contract for it, and that other schools cut excess checked. My financial aid advisor said they are open to this and will research it, so I am looking for schools and possibly department of education documentation surrounding this.

Thanks

 

[DJmav]

I'd be satisfied with up to cost of attendance. A lot of schools will use ROTC funds to take away from the funds they would normally award, leaving you with a lot to make up for. Take Vanderbilt. you can have a family contribution of only $25000 but the cost of attendance is $90,0000. They will first apply ROTC money to tuition ($~65000) and still leave you with the room/board and fees of close to $25000. Because you have an EFC of $25000, you still have that amount to have family or loans pay.

It's a shame a school like Vandy does this as otherwise it is a guaranteed $65000 in funds to their school.

 

[glen]

So I doubt most colleges will allow a students aid to exceed cost of attendance, and expect most to reduce need based financial aiid to take into account outside scholarships - including ROTC awards. There are many schools, however, that award merit scholarships for Room & Board or honors programs, etc., as incentives for you to bring your ROTC scholarship to their campus. But don’t expect to get a check for the amount over cost of attendance.

 

[Herman_Snerd]

I am interested if there are any institutions that reimburse excess funds from an AROTC scholarship? As in the scholarship is "stacked" on top of already existing aid, and a check is cut of the excess money. Specifically Massachusetts's institutions would be great, as I do not know if it varies by state.

My current college says that my ROTC scholarship does not affect my 'demonstrated financial need' (as it shouldn't- the scholarship does not change ones economic background), but that as far as they know they have to include the ROTC scholarship as 'awarded financial assistance', which cannot exceed the cost of attendance. I explained this is really isn't awarded financial assistance, as you sign a contract for it, and that other schools cut excess checked. My financial aid advisor said they are open to this and will research it, so I am looking for schools and possibly department of education documentation surrounding this.

Thanks

recommendation here is to put together a spreadsheet, getting details in writing from each institution, on total cost to attend, expected family contribution, and as it becomes available any merit or financial aid moneys. You should also ask if the school/ unit provides any room/ board support, and what happens to that if you move off campus (do you get those moneys? In some school cases, YES and in some, NO.
4 years ago my DS had schools on his list that provided room/board coverage for Army/ Navy ROTC scholarship recipients, let you keep scholarships to use too for off-campus housing too which covered rent, utilities, some food. Other schools even with the ROTC scholarship (he had all 3) would have cost upward of 64k - 70k for the 4 years of room and board since those schools typically did not provide that support. In his case he chose a school that let him use his ROTC scholarship and the school paid for the room/ board - his roommate had financial aid, and yes their school cut them each a check for the overage. All 4 roommates at that school in ROTC MADE money going to college. Not a bad way to start your new officer life with a few sheckles in your pocket and zero debt. Esp with higher interest rates today.

Overall, count on a university immediately / aggressively sucking up any "extra" funds unless you get it in writing that they won't. also don't assume because a school provides room and board for Army/ Navy 4 year scholarship winners that it will do the same for Air Force - not always the case.

Be wary, be diligent to document in writing what you discuss, and confirm your exact cost to attend - it can make a big difference. also investigate the fine print of external scholarships some of which you might keep if you have a full ROTC ride.

Good luck.

 

[Herman_Snerd]

I'd be satisfied with up to cost of attendance. A lot of schools will use ROTC funds to take away from the funds they would normally award, leaving you with a lot to make up for. Take Vanderbilt. you can have a family contribution of only $25000 but the cost of attendance is $90,0000. They will first apply ROTC money to tuition ($~65000) and still leave you with the room/board and fees of close to $25000. Because you have an EFC of $25000, you still have that amount to have family or loans pay.

It's a shame a school like Vandy does this as otherwise it is a guaranteed $65000 in funds to their school.

This is helpful - I don't know Vandy's method but just to share, typical universities will allow a ROTC scholarship to be applied either to cover tuition/ fees OR a set amount for room and board. The student should weigh what merit/ financial aid they receive to determine which is the better deal. At some florida state schools for example, room and board for in-state residents is more expensive than tuition. So taking the scholarship for room and board, and using any merit / financial aid for tuition/ fees may or may not work out to be the better deal.

 

[franknd]

May be important to distinguish between financial aid and merit scholarships. With FA, I would expect that the school will almost always account for ROTC scholarships in calculating aid. Merit scholarships, however, can be different. The University of Alabama, for example, is pretty generous with out-of-state merit, and those amounts will stack on top of ROTC scholarships.

 

[willowandfern]

recommendation here is to put together a spreadsheet, getting details in writing from each institution, on total cost to attend, expected family contribution, and as it becomes available any merit or financial aid moneys. You should also ask if the school/ unit provides any room/ board support, and what happens to that if you move off campus (do you get those moneys? In some school cases, YES and in some, NO.
4 years ago my DS had schools on his list that provided room/board coverage for Army/ Navy ROTC scholarship recipients, let you keep scholarships to use too for off-campus housing too which covered rent, utilities, some food. Other schools even with the ROTC scholarship (he had all 3) would have cost upward of 64k - 70k for the 4 years of room and board since those schools typically did not provide that support. In his case he chose a school that let him use his ROTC scholarship and the school paid for the room/ board - his roommate had financial aid, and yes their school cut them each a check for the overage. All 4 roommates at that school in ROTC MADE money going to college. Not a bad way to start your new officer life with a few sheckles in your pocket and zero debt. Esp with higher interest rates today.

Overall, count on a university immediately / aggressively sucking up any "extra" funds unless you get it in writing that they won't. also don't assume because a school provides room and board for Army/ Navy 4 year scholarship winners that it will do the same for Air Force - not always the case.

Be wary, be diligent to document in writing what you discuss, and confirm your exact cost to attend - it can make a big difference. also investigate the fine print of external scholarships some of which you might keep if you have a full ROTC ride.

Good luck.

Do you know how much he got in overage? right now I am looking at 1600 surplus given to me. The room and board suggestion is very helpful thank you, although I imagine if I lived off campus the school would just readjust my aid again so im still looking at no extra funds from them. Even for normal students this school deflates aid once a student chooses to live off campus, so there is no way of saving money and they always make the same amount.

 

[Herman_Snerd]

Do you know how much he got in overage? right now I am looking at 1600 surplus given to me. The room and board suggestion is very helpful thank you, although I imagine if I lived off campus the school would just readjust my aid again so im still looking at no extra funds from them. Even for normal students this school deflates aid once a student chooses to live off campus, so there is no way of saving money and they always make the same amount.

Sure. When he lived on campus the school paid for double occupancy dorm housing and a 14 meal per week plan. Those monies are taxed but that’s not a large impact. When he moved off campus he received a check for 13k a year (6.5k per semester) which more than covered his off campus apartment, utilities, and some food. His roommate received more as he had financial aid. It was a sweet deal. Most schools will not let you keep the aid. Only some schools and branches cover room and board - see the tab dedicated to that topic here on SAF. Good luck.