IF YOU QUIT DURING/AFTER FRESHMAN YEAR, what happens to that tuition?

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usncorpsmanwife

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I think I already know the answer to this thanks to some well-placed people who frequent these forums but it was suggested to throw this topic out again (as perhaps my keyword searching was so far off, or no one really posts about it, that I couldn't find it here via the search engine).

DS and family have had several serious discussions since she was notified she is a selectee in late March. One of the primary ones is the "what if" scenario if she makes it through NSI and is qualified in all areas to activate the scholarship, then gets into school and decides - for whatever reason or reason(s) - she isn't going to do this past Freshman year? Does the Navy essentially eat the first year of tuition with ZERO financial obligation if she determines by September 1st/first day of Sophomore Year she is dropping NROTC? She has been accepted to several schools where the cost is prohibitive without this scholarship unless she wants to graduate essentially with a mortgage (because DH and I have made it abundantly clear we are not taking out loans to finance her education - we have a set, equal amount for her and her (younger) sister and beyond that it's up to her to decide how to finance things, if that is necessary).

I ask my question because if the Freshman year is not re-payable, then that set amount we have increases what she can apply to each remaining 3 years of undergrad should it come to her having to actively use it (ideally, her choices put her in the position to save that money for graduate school, etc. in the future).

For anyone who has experience or knows of someone who does, for schools who kick in room and board or a portion-thereof, are you required to pay THAT back if you drop before sophomore year?

In our hearts we think DD is going to be jussst fine with her decision to pursue NROTC but I'm a realist and always want to present as many angles as possible so she knows what she's really committing to. This is no cake-walk ... like high school will rapidly appear to be once she gets to NSI, and beyond.

Thank you in advance for any replies..
 
Also, if anyone can direct me to threads that address anything about financial benefits, taxes, what is and is not covered in a 529plan as pertains to someone in NROTC, I would very much appreciate it. thnx.
 
uscorpsmanwife said:
I think I already know the answer to this thanks to some well-placed people who frequent these forums but it was suggested to throw this topic out again (as perhaps my keyword searching was so far off, or no one really posts about it, that I couldn't find it here via the search engine).

DS and family have had several serious discussions since she was notified she is a selectee in late March. One of the primary ones is the "what if" scenario if she makes it through NSI and is qualified in all areas to activate the scholarship, then gets into school and decides - for whatever reason or reason(s) - she isn't going to do this past Freshman year? Does the Navy essentially eat the first year of tuition with ZERO financial obligation if she determines by September 1st/first day of Sophomore Year she is dropping NROTC? She has been accepted to several schools where the cost is prohibitive without this scholarship unless she wants to graduate essentially with a mortgage (because DH and I have made it abundantly clear we are not taking out loans to finance her education - we have a set, equal amount for her and her (younger) sister and beyond that it's up to her to decide how to finance things, if that is necessary).

I ask my question because if the Freshman year is not re-payable, then that set amount we have increases what she can apply to each remaining 3 years of undergrad should it come to her having to actively use it (ideally, her choices put her in the position to save that money for graduate school, etc. in the future).

For anyone who has experience or knows of someone who does, for schools who kick in room and board or a portion-thereof, are you required to pay THAT back if you drop before sophomore year?

In our hearts we think DD is going to be jussst fine with her decision to pursue NROTC but I'm a realist and always want to present as many angles as possible so she knows what she's really committing to. This is no cake-walk ... like high school will rapidly appear to be once she gets to NSI, and beyond.

Thank you in advance for any replies..
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I’ve read this a few times, but I’m getting lost on the ‘repayable’ piece. I’m also on pain meds currently, so it could be that 😆 Is she a 3 or 4 yr winner?

It should all be spelled out in her award.

And you are wise for her to consider a school she can afford without the scholarship. She *could* be seperated for other reasons: academic, medical, honor violations, etc. It happens every year, unfortunately.
 
justdoit19 said:
I’ve read this a few times, but I’m getting lost on the ‘repayable’ piece. I’m also on pain meds currently, so it could be that 😆 Is she a 3 or 4 yr winner?

It should all be spelled out in her award.

And you are wise for her to consider a school she can afford without the scholarship. She *could* be seperated for other reasons: academic, medical, honor violations, etc. It happens every year, unfortunately.
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it's the 4 year.
 
Can she reach out to the recruiter at her school of choice and ask for a copy of the contract? I believe most ROTC awards will allow them to quit anytime after the freshman year with no financial obligation as long has they have not started their sophomore year. This is only anecdotal from others I’ve talked to. I have no experience with NROTC. Personally, if it was something I’d really want to be sure about I would need to see the contract my child would be signing. Tuition and fees are non taxable. If they choose to take room and board I have been told that’s taxable. The other piece I will continue to preach is to get the medical approval through Dodmerb done asap.
 
From what I saw at my unit, those dropping any time up to the first day of their sophomore year (or September 1, one of the two) do not incur any repayment obligation. You could even go on CORTRAMID summer cruise, drop NROTC, and not have to repay, as long as you did it before that day. Several students did that. Afterwards, there's definitely some amount of repayment.
 
EJF said:
Can she reach out to the recruiter at her school of choice and ask for a copy of the contract? I believe most ROTC awards will allow them to quit anytime after the freshman year with no financial obligation as long has they have not started their sophomore year. This is only anecdotal from others I’ve talked to. I have no experience with NROTC. Personally, if it was something I’d really want to be sure about I would need to see the contract my child would be signing. Tuition and fees are non taxable. If they choose to take room and board I have been told that’s taxable. The other piece I will continue to preach is to get the medical approval through Dodmerb done asap.
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this is correct. once sophomore year starts you will have to pay back anything paid after that point
 
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mcfamilyof4 said:
this is correct. once sophomore year starts you will have to pay back anything paid after that point
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One slight modification. If sophomore year starts and a person has not dropped from the program, then they would owe back all tuition paid to include their freshman year.
 
Is this just for Navy or any branch? I haven't seen the AROTC contract, does it say there what needs to be repaid and under which circumstances?
 
I can only speak to the Navy side of the house. But we have all the services represented here so someone can probably speak to the other branches.
 
I have heard this is the case for AROTC and AFROTC but have not seen the contract.
 
Candd82026 said:
Is this just for Navy or any branch? I haven't seen the AROTC contract, does it say there what needs to be repaid and under which circumstances?
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I can speak for AF ROTC...same situation...must drop prior to first day of classes sophomore year. Then no repayment required.
 
Just curious if dropping prior to sophomore year happens often - do some students accept the scholarship, go through freshman year and decide it isn’t for them in order to get a year of tuition for free??
 
NROTC_27 said:
Just curious if dropping prior to sophomore year happens often - do some students accept the scholarship, go through freshman year and decide it isn’t for them in order to get a year of tuition for free??
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I highly doubt someone would go through the grueling application process, and get through the interviewers, etc, in a national competition, that is adept at sniffing out someone who isn’t pure in their desire to serve as an Officer, with the intention only to attend one year, for free tuition.

Does it happen? Maybe. But not often.

More likely, and by design, is the student who was sure they wanted to serve, only to find out it’s not a good fit. And this allows for that. A well intended 17-18 yr old applicant doesn’t necessarily know what the truly want. Or have the skill set for.

Being forced into serving, for someone who isn’t a good match, doesn’t do anyone any good. This allows for that self reflection.

I have no idea how often it happens. Students figuring out this path isn’t a good fit for them. But this ‘1 yr’ try out period allows for this. BTW, at a SA, a student has 2 yrs to decide.
 
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NROTC_27 said:
Just curious if dropping prior to sophomore year happens often - do some students accept the scholarship, go through freshman year and decide it isn’t for them in order to get a year of tuition for free??
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DS had 2 roommates who dropped NROTC after freshman year. One decided he couldn't get a scholarship so dropped to focus on studies and attended OCS. He's a Naval Aviator today. The other, who was on scholarship, decided it wasn't his best path to the State Dept. He works in the State Dept today. Some folks decide it's just not for them. Others decide its not the right path for them. Finally some are dropped for various reasons. I know of one who showed up to PT drunk, another DUI, etc

DS's class started with 45. By end of freshman year there where 30. Only 15 commissioned.
 
Just wanted to add what I think is obvious for those seeking to understand the freshman year options.
ProudDad17 said:
There is no repayment or service obligation as long as you withdraw prior to September 1 of your sophomore year.
Here it is straight from NETC, scroll to the bottom, in the last header:

Also, here is the contract the midn sign:
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Helpful post. I paused on whether to share this follow-up, because it seems obvious, but as noted in the link @ProudDad17 nicely posted, dropping participation in ROTC before the end of either first year semester would lead to a prorated coverage of tuition/ fees. One cannot show up for 1 drill on day 1 of their spring semester, quit NROTC, and expect to have that Spring semester fully paid for by the Navy. You CAN finish a semester or two and walk way without having repayment - just remember you earn the scholarship by participation and by continuing to meet standards.

"b. Term of Scholarship Benefits. The Navy will begin providing me Scholarship Benefits on the first day of the first full academic term during which this Contract is in effect and will continue to do so for the period of time remaining until I receive a baccalaureate degree in my Tier. I understand and agree, however, that the Navy will provide the Scholarship Benefits for an Academic Year of up to ten (10) months (prorated the first Academic Year if I will not have been an NROTC Scholarship Student the entire Academic Year). I further acknowledge and agree that the Navy will not provide Scholarship Benefits for a total of more than forty (40) months (or, if I have been awarded a scholarship after I have begun my freshman year for the lesser period of time set forth in the writing that notified me I had been awarded an NROTC scholarship) unless I have requested a waiver in writing via my PNS and have been granted such a waiver in writing from Commander, Naval Service Training Command."
 
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