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JChrisL

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Hi All, I have been reading this forum for a couple weeks to learn about ROTC scholarships and help my son decide if it is the right choice for him. Thank you all for your input and sharing experiences and knowledge.

My son is a rising senior and is planning on applying for AFROTC and AROTC scholarships. He plans to study aerospace engineering and is looking at a few schools, including WPI, RPI, BU, BC, VA Tech, UVA, Lehigh and possibly a few more. We are going on a road trip to visit several of these next month (hopefully COVID doesn't derail the plans), then he is going to submit his applications and begin the process.

My question is with the AROTC application where it asks for schools he is interested in. From what I have read, if he is offered a scholarship, the Army will choose up to 3 of the schools on his list. What if he decides that he wants to go to one of the other schools (that the Army dis not offer the scholarship for)?

A second question is there a benefit to the order of preference for the schools? Should in-state schools be left off the list to see if the higher priced private schools will be offered?

If I am not mistaken the AFROTC does not require him to submit a list, so is their offer, if received, good for any school he gets accepted to?

I want him to submit in time for the first board, I think his package will be ready (high SAT/ACT, GPA, good fitness and working on getting better), the only question would be which college he decides is truly his order of colleges he is interested in.

TIA.
 
My opinions based on my son going through this process last year for AROTC… I don’t know anything about Navy or Air Force.

Order the schools based on preference to attend. I think it is logical to include a “safety school” in the top 3 (again, my opinion). Focus on the best fit school, not the ROTC program, as the top priority.

The order can be rearranged on the application up until the time they win a scholarship.

There IS a process with the AROTC scholarship to request (no guarantee) an awarded scholarship be moved to another school.

Don’t worry over submitting for the first board. There doesn’t seem to be any benefit other than the VERY TOP candidates gaining some early certainty. I personally would have encouraged my son to target the second board. Without better information, he rushed to make the first board.

Always have a plan B including if no scholarship offered, medically disqualified, late occurring illness or injury, accepted scholarship but ROTC doesn’t work out for any reason, etc.

This one was really hard for me… As the parent, try not to obsess over the process.
 
JChrisL said:
A second question is there a benefit to the order of preference for the schools? Should in-state schools be left off the list to see if the higher priced private schools will be offered?
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@dadinnc offers good advice here. For AROTC I recommend just listing them in his actual order of preference. DS did this and was offered 3 year to #1,2, and 4. #1 and 2 were high price private schools, #3 was high priced out of state (extremely popular), and #4 was lower priced out of state. You’ll need to factor in likelihood of success and the ability to cover costs if things go south, especially if you gamble on the high priced schools. Also, if they get a 3 year, that first year need to be paid for - so you might be looking at 40-50k (or more!) before the scholarship is activated. I’d be especially concerned about a major like aerospace engineering, where the academics are brutally hard. I say “gamble” because there are a lot of factors at play - maintaining grades, maintaining fitness, staying out of trouble, staying medically qualified, maintaining interest in ROTC. Plan B is key - have these conversations with your son now, while deciding on his list, so that the expectations, costs, and consequences are clear. Also, do not be in a rush to get on the first board - unless scores are stellar (not just good). One advantage of waiting for the second board is you might have early acceptances in hand for some schools by then - which you can upload to the portal. DS did this, showing he was already accepted to his #1 and 2 schools when the board reviewed his app. I would have at least one safety somewhere on your list of 7, but I don’t think it needs to be in the top 3.
 
Great info from posters above.

For AFROTC, some of their scholarship types have differing amounts covered/ paid. - Type 7 is an in-state 4 year award or can be converted to a 3 year Type 2 (you pay the first year). But type 2 is capped and may not cover all tuition, especially at expensive schools. You can use the scholarships at any schools with an AFROTC detachment but the cost of course can vary greatly based on what support you'd have for room and board (varies) and how much you'll have to pay after the scholarship.

Things may have changed but 2 years ago my DS did have to submit a list of schools to AFROTC, and that list had to include one in-state option on the application.

Given AFROTC has been not allowing some participants in good standing to continue toward their path to commission on scholarship after 2 years (it says clearly in the contract they have the option to decide who moves forward and they ARE exercising that option this year), then why not also look at NROTC with the others? Imagine having a 3.8 at a top school, with a fine record in ROTC and be told - thanks but adios like as happened at Yale and other schools this past year. No commissioning, no serving, no experience, no dream fulfilling you were working toward unless you move to another branch or a different path to serve. I'd... explore alternatives.

good luck.

High School Scholarship Types | Scholarships | U.S. Air Force ROTC

Learn about the types of high school scholarships, stipend entitlements, travel expenses, and requirements.
www.afrotc.com www.afrotc.com

TYPE 1
Pays full (100 percent) college tuition and authorized fees at any public or private institution with an Air Force ROTC detachment.

Type 1 selectees will also receive a monthly living expense stipend and an annual book stipend.

TYPE 2
Pays up to $18,000 per year in college tuition and authorized fees at any public or private institution with an Air Force ROTC detachment.

Scholarship payment is further capped at $9,000 per semester or $6,000 per quarter.

Type 2 selectees will also receive a monthly living expense stipend and an annual book stipend.

TYPE 7
Pays full (100 percent) college tuition and authorized fees (capped at the in-state tuition rate) at a public institution with an Air Force ROTC detachment. Type 7 selectees will also receive a monthly living expense stipend and an annual book stipend.

Students offered a Type 7 scholarship will be given the option to convert their scholarship to a three-year Type 2 scholarship that can be used at out-of-state or private schools. A three-year Type 2 scholarship will start during the sophomore year of school.

Note: AFROTC Scholarships do not cover room and board. *Some schools themselves allow students to use merit scholarships and may offer scholarship winners additional room and board support - though moneys used for R&B are taxable.
 
Thank you for your replies. I am just trying to understand the different aspects of the programs. I am not obsessing over the process, just want to understand it. Just for some clarification (and please don't think I am being a jerk for anything I say).

We are in a very fortunate situation where the "plan B" is not an issue. I have saved enough money to send my son to college. He has always had an interest in the military and with his desire to study Aerospace Engineering he thought the military may be a great option to gain experience and the ROTC scholarship program would be a chance to get a head start. HE has ruled out Navy because he doesn't want to "get stuck on a boat."

I would be very proud of him if he decides to pursue a scholarship and give back to the country by becoming a military officer, but I also will support him if he decides the military (and/or ROTC) are not for him. He is truly looking at it as an option.

For us, it would be a much more attractive option if he wins a scholarship for a private college, so that is why I asked the questions about preference and in-state schools.

I believe he would be a contender if he makes the first board and the extra time would give him the opportunity to weigh his options. I know nothing is guaranteed but if he does well on his interview, I believe he will succeed and be given the opportunity to make up his mind with the. information from the ROTC scholarship. He got a 33 ACT, 1480 SAT, 4.0 GPA, leadership skills, captain of sports teams, state champs in hockey 2 out of 3 years, volunteer, etc. The ROTC scholarship may give him the extra boost at a "reach" school or finance a private school and he would then get the 529 money I saved after successful completion of college and the ROTC program.

Again, I do not intend to offend anyone or needlessly brag about my son, just want to give contest to our situation and why I asked the questions. I appreciate all opinions and view points.
 
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@JChrisL Judge Snells, is that you?😜. Of course I’m Just kidding.

You’re apologetic about highlighting strengths of your son’s application but I’ll just share it’s coming off a little silly considering the company you’re among in this forum. Among this group are people and families of some rockstars, 1600 Sats, who are inventors, startup successes, national record holders, people who self-purchased their own plane at 17 and can fly it. etc. who were highly recruited and had their choice of where to serve, where to go to school. waving 1480 or your ability to pay for college without ROTC to this group is like like a new millionaire bragging about their wealth to Jeff Bezos.
Stay humble and just be aware we’re not a bunch of bumbles. For most our kids are not only in the service as a way to pay for college- it’s a calling to serve for many that motivates this path. Last year a young man bragged about his six thousand dollar stock portfolio and it was also cringey.

overall very impressive numbers so be proud but humble if possible. Good luck as you explore these options.
 
Be aware that ROTC scholarships only cover tuition and some fees. Some schools will offer the cover room and board but no guarantees. Recommend your DS reach out to the schools he is interested in and ask the question. I know for a fact Harvard awards $ based on family financials. When my DS won AFROTC scholarship they reduced their award essentially leaving DS responsible for room and board which is roughly $20k per year. He ultimately chose USNA.
 
JChrisL said:
Hi All, I have been reading this forum for a couple weeks to learn about ROTC scholarships and help my son decide if it is the right choice for him. Thank you all for your input and sharing experiences and knowledge.

My son is a rising senior and is planning on applying for AFROTC and AROTC scholarships. He plans to study aerospace engineering and is looking at a few schools, including WPI, RPI, BU, BC, VA Tech, UVA, Lehigh and possibly a few more. We are going on a road trip to visit several of these next month (hopefully COVID doesn't derail the plans), then he is going to submit his applications and begin the process.

My question is with the AROTC application where it asks for schools he is interested in. From what I have read, if he is offered a scholarship, the Army will choose up to 3 of the schools on his list. What if he decides that he wants to go to one of the other schools (that the Army dis not offer the scholarship for)?

A second question is there a benefit to the order of preference for the schools? Should in-state schools be left off the list to see if the higher priced private schools will be offered?

If I am not mistaken the AFROTC does not require him to submit a list, so is their offer, if received, good for any school he gets accepted to?

I want him to submit in time for the first board, I think his package will be ready (high SAT/ACT, GPA, good fitness and working on getting better), the only question would be which college he decides is truly his order of colleges he is interested in.

TIA.
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I had both of my kids submit the list of schools in the order that they wanted them and listed the maximum number of schools that were allowed to. I think it was 8 back then. When they applied, they were required to list one in-state, public university as one of their choice. They listed that as the lowest from a ranking perspective, as they were allowed to, as they really had no interest in going there. They listed private, out of state college, at the top of their lists. They both had their packets completed by the first board. If your DS gets selected for the AROTC scholarship in the first board, he will have to accept the scholarship, and choose from the list of colleges offered, usually within 30 days. The biggest issue with this, is that the most selective schools won't have given their acceptances by the time that your DS has to accept the scholarship. If , by chance, your DS doesn't get into his #1 college that he has already accepted the AROTC scholarship to, then he will need to request to have the scholarship transferred to one of the other schools that he was awarded the scholarship to. This is not guaranteed, but is generally approved. If he doesn't want to go to one of the schools that the scholarship was originally, offered to, then he can also request a transfer to one of the colleges he has been admitted to. Again, this is not always approved. Have fun on your college tours. We toured some of those same schools when DS was looking at schools.
 
USMAROTCFamily said:
I had both of my kids submit the list of schools in the order that they wanted them and listed the maximum number of schools that were allowed to. I think it was 8 back then. When they applied, they were required to list one in-state, public university as one of their choice. They listed that as the lowest from a ranking perspective, as they were allowed to, as they really had no interest in going there. They listed private, out of state college, at the top of their lists. They both had their packets completed by the first board. If your DS gets selected for the AROTC scholarship in the first board, he will have to accept the scholarship, and choose from the list of colleges offered, usually within 30 days. The biggest issue with this, is that the most selective schools won't have given their acceptances by the time that your DS has to accept the scholarship. If , by chance, your DS doesn't get into his #1 college that he has already accepted the AROTC scholarship to, then he will need to request to have the scholarship transferred to one of the other schools that he was awarded the scholarship to. This is not guaranteed, but is generally approved. If he doesn't want to go to one of the schools that the scholarship was originally, offered to, then he can also request a transfer to one of the colleges he has been admitted to. Again, this is not always approved. Have fun on your college tours. We toured some of those same schools when DS was looking at schools.
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Thank you, this is exactly the type of information I was looking for. I appreciate it.
 
Herman_Snerd said:
@JChrisL Judge Snells, is that you?😜. Of course I’m Just kidding.

You’re apologetic about highlighting strengths of your son’s application but I’ll just share it’s coming off a little silly considering the company you’re among in this forum. Among this group are people and families of some rockstars, 1600 Sats, who are inventors, startup successes, national record holders, people who self-purchased their own plane at 17 and can fly it. etc. who were highly recruited and had their choice of where to serve, where to go to school. waving 1480 or your ability to pay for college without ROTC to this group is like like a new millionaire bragging about their wealth to Jeff Bezos.
Stay humble and just be aware we’re not a bunch of bumbles. For most our kids are not only in the service as a way to pay for college- it’s a calling to serve for many that motivates this path. Last year a young man bragged about his six thousand dollar stock portfolio and it was also cringey.

overall very impressive numbers so be proud but humble if possible. Good luck as you explore these options.
Click to expand...
I understood how it appeared and that is why I aphorized in advance. I mean no disrespect to anyone, and understand their are "rockstars" who have worked very hard to become the best candidate possible. I was just providing our situation.

I appreciate the Caddyshack reference.
 
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LT360 said:
Be aware that ROTC scholarships only cover tuition and some fees. Some schools will offer the cover room and board but no guarantees. Recommend your DS reach out to the schools he is interested in and ask the question. I know for a fact Harvard awards $ based on family financials. When my DS won AFROTC scholarship they reduced their award essentially leaving DS responsible for room and board which is roughly $20k per year. He ultimately chose USNA.
Click to expand...
Thank you..
 
I have two DS who chose to get "stuck on a boat". And those "boats" make port calls, an opportunity to see the world while serving the greatest Navy in the world. I wouldn't rule it out simply because he doesn't want to "get stuck on a boat". Both my DS are aviation. Fly Navy!
 
Something to keep on the radar, is that if he applies only ROTC (and not an SA), DODMERB happens after he begins, not before (as with an SA). So there is potential to be DQ’ed from scholarship, after already starting school. Every year this happens, and students/parents are scrambling to figure out how to afford the college they selected. Just something to consider.
 
justdoit19 said:
Something to keep on the radar, is that if he applies only ROTC (and not an SA), DODMERB happens after he begins, not before (as with an SA). So there is potential to be DQ’ed from scholarship, after already starting school. Every year this happens, and students/parents are scrambling to figure out how to afford the college they selected. Just something to consider.
Click to expand...
Thanks for pointing that out.
 
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