Gaming the System - AFROTC

[goldenlion]

I recently had a conversation with an acquaintance. I got the feeling that their DS was gaming the AFROTC system. From my understanding, their DS has a 4 year AFROTC scholarship for engineering. He is now in his sophomore year. He is not doing well with his engineering classes. He would like to change majors, but that would mean losing his scholarship and having to pay back his tuition. So instead, his family is hoping he doesn't get picked up for SFT (I think that is what it is called). That way he loses his scholarship but doesn't have to pay it back and can change majors. I get the feeling that he is performing poorly in ROTC on purpose.

I guess I'm wondering if I'm reading this situation correctly and does this happen often. The more that I think about it, the more it angers me. I read so many posts from people on this forum that truly want to serve their country and are in need of these scholarships, and he seems to be gaming the system.

BTW, this student is at a Public University with a fairly low tuition in general.

 

[Romad]

Burns Me if true.

 

[Aglahad]

Happens in AROTC all the time. When scholarships were easier to get people would get a year paid and rarely attend PT, FTX or labs. At the end of the year they would quit or get booted w/o having to pay a dime.

 

[Packer]

Gaming the system is certainly a possibility. However if the kid isn't hacking it in engineering and the AF really doesn't give him a way to change his major since he is on scholarship he is screwed anyway. His grades are likely low so it isn't going to matter how well he does in AFROTC he is going to get passed over for SFT and be out the door anyways. No SFT = No commission. Engineering majors still have to have around a 3.0 to get selected (varies by detachment).

 

[MemberLG]

Have things changed? I thought for four year ROTC scholarship, the scholarship winner can just walk away at any time during first two years without incurring any obligation.

 

[Jcleppe]

Have things changed? I thought for four year ROTC scholarship, the scholarship winner can just walk away at any time during first two years without incurring any obligation.

Yep, things changed.

Four year scholarship cadets have until the day before their first day of school their sophomre year to walk away. If they step into class the first day of their sophomore year they are on the hook for all payments made for tuition, books, and stipend, a tidy sum to say the least.

I believe Academy Cadets still have the first 2 years before they are obligated, someone correct me if I am wrong on that.