Medical Waiver, ROTC Scholarship

[spalmer76]

My son has just finished his first year of college and ROTC. He was offered a 3 year advanced designee scholarship last summer. When he was 13 he had a set of ear tubes put in that last for 5 years, one is still in his ear. Doctor told him in March that it should fall out on it's own and heal normally. The tube has not fallen out and may need to be removed "surgically". Because of this he is medically disqualified. The Army told him once it is out and healed he can get a waiver, however, he was told it could take up to 6 months to heal once it is removed. Since he is starting his 2nd year of college and his scholarship should start this fall how does this process affect the scholarship? Does he have to pay until medically cleared and then get reimbursed? Does the scholarship kick in and he has to pay back if he does not receive a waiver? Has anyone had expeirence with ear tubes and getting a waiver?

 

[EJF]

My son has just finished his first year of college and ROTC. He was offered a 3 year advanced designee scholarship last summer. When he was 13 he had a set of ear tubes put in that last for 5 years, one is still in his ear. Doctor told him in March that it should fall out on it's own and heal normally. The tube has not fallen out and may need to be removed "surgically". Because of this he is medically disqualified. The Army told him once it is out and healed he can get a waiver, however, he was told it could take up to 6 months to heal once it is removed. Since he is starting his 2nd year of college and his scholarship should start this fall how does this process affect the scholarship? Does he have to pay until medically cleared and then get reimbursed? Does the scholarship kick in and he has to pay back if he does not receive a waiver? Has anyone had expeirence with ear tubes and getting a waiver?

I can't speak to ear tubes specifically, but I can tell you what I know about 3 year AD scholarships and waivers. He will not be able to contract until he is medically cleared, which means he can continue to participate as he has until now, but no monthly stipend and he will have to pay his school expenses until he is cleared. I have heard if he can get cleared before the end of semester, and can contract, they will pay tuition/fees and books for that semester, but no back pay on the monthly stipend. He should also be having a conversation with the AROTC contact at his school who monitors medical waivers. His Battalion may be able to offer him some extra funding this fall on their own, but he won't be able to officially contract. Once he is cleared by his doctor and he meets whatever else the Army wants from him for AMI it's typically about 4-6 weeks until the waiver is granted. It's first in first out at Army Cadet Command for waivers. If it were my son, I'd get those tubes out asap and set up some kind of regular follow up with his MD to get the clearance that it's healed. The sooner he gets that documentation from his Dr. the sooner he can contract. Let me say I feel your pain, it's a difficult process, especially if you are up against a deadline to get him contracted for this year. I'd be prepared to pay for this fall just in case it doesn't get resolved before the end of semester.