My school has no scholarship funds right now?

R

rotc2013

10-Year Member
5-Year Member
Joined
Aug 2, 2009
Messages
36
Hey all, currently an MSI freshman in AROTC. I was qualified by dodmerb last weekend and passed my APFT, so I am finally qualified for an on-campus scholarship.

But, of course knowing my luck, my enrollment officer tells me he has no scholarships to offer; apparently the Army has frozen all scholarship funds until further notice, even with the new fiscal year having begun in October. So I get to sit around and wait some more....

Does anybody know anything about when they will release funds, or why they haven't? Anybody been in this situation before? I have been searching the web like crazy but have found nothing as of yet. My enrollment officer said he has no idea about a timeline, could be as late as next year:frown: I am ready to contract and I was this close, pretty disappointed right now...
 
I am not in the ROTC program, but I do train in the morning with the ROTC unit at my school. (I am enrolled in the Marine OCS pipeline) There are currently two candidates who are contracted but are not receiving money. They just had that much of a desire to serve their country that they contracted regardless of the ability of the Army to pay for college. On the other hand, they still get their stipend.

I can ask them if you want to know when they are scheduled to receive scholarships.

Obviously, if you NEED the ROTC scholarship to attend your school than don't bother contracting. But if you can manage it, it shows a dedication to the Army that you otherwise wouldn't get a chance to prove so early.
 
That is something to think about, however my officer straight up told me that he cannot contract me as a nonscholarship freshman. Don't ask me why, but that is the situation. He said I can either wait for funds to become available, or join the National Guard and try for SMP (I'm waiting for funds, ha ha)

Don't get me wrong, I am going to continue with the program regardless of money, I want very much to be an officer. The scholarship is not essential to pay for my education.

But to watch others in the class below mine receive 4 year scholarships out of high school this year while I am sitting on campus already in ROTC getting nothing and have shown an active interest in contracting by passing the APFT and getting active in the program, well...it just makes me wonder why the Army isn't allotting money for on-campus scholarships, and if they are why my school hasn't gotten any yet.

Obviously it isnt my schools fault if they havent been given money. Why do I have to suffer just because I decided I wanted to do AROTC a little later than the 4-year scholarship receipients in my MSI class (who have all contracted at this point)?
 
rotc2013 - I heard the same thing. If it's any consolation you are not alone. Even if you are not contracted you should still be able to participate fully with your unit.
You do have a very good point. I would hope that money would be available for you to get a 3 year scholarship next fall.
 
Thanks justamom, I will just have to wait some more, Lord knows I'm going to be doing enough of it in my Army career:shake:

Sucks but what can you do, I just hope the money becomes available soon, I'd like to shoot for a 3 1/2 year scholarship...
 
I have now been told that I'm not even allowed to contract without a scholarship until the beginning of sophomore year...unless funding for on-campus scholarships comes in during the next few months, I am not allowed to contract until then:unhappy:

I love how they tell me these things now...

I have done EVERYTHING they've asked me to do and was finally ready, I'm practically throwing myself at them, not too happy right now...
 
Is it possible for you to transfer to another college and ROTC unit?
 
rotc2013 said:
I have now been told that I'm not even allowed to contract without a scholarship until the beginning of sophomore year...unless funding for on-campus scholarships comes in during the next few months, I am not allowed to contract until then:unhappy:

I love how they tell me these things now...

I have done EVERYTHING they've asked me to do and was finally ready, I'm practically throwing myself at them, not too happy right now...
Click to expand...

I hear you - unfortunately when there are no dollars they can't do anything. Two years ago they were handing out scholarships to anyone who qualified. This past year they gave them to west point candidates who were "fully qualified not-selected".
apparently a much higher than expected number of kids took advantage of these offers.

Are you applying for a 3 year scholarship? Have they talked to you about doing SMP? You can't do it until after your freshman year but it's a thought.

aglages - the problem is not with money in the unit but Cadet Command.
In past years, if you were a freshman and just showed up and were qualifed the PMS would find money for you. Back in 2007 so many scholarship went unused they extended the deadline until April or May.
They just got seriously overbooked this year. Not anyone's fault really.
 
I'm thinking that there are "probably" some AROTC units that may have more scholarships than they need. Couldn't hurt to call around to see what options are available. While I don't have all the details, it does sound as though his unit is not giving him much reason to be optimistic and he may need to get assertive while exploring all possibilities. Just a suggestion.....
 
You are absolutely right justamom, it isnt anyones fault, just very disappointing....yes at this point I am shooting for a 3 year scholarship, as I said I have passed DODMERB and the APFT and my file is complete so technically I am ready to contract right now.

I have been told that when money comes in I will be given some priority so that is one plus, unfortunately neither I or my superiors have any idea when that will be. SMP is not something I'd like to pursue as I want to try for an active duty commission after college and I just don't think the National Guard is the right path for me...

As far as showing up as a freshman and having the PMS find money for you, that is the impression they gave me over the summer, but evidently things changed. I certainly don't blame my battalion for that.

Even if there is no money next semester for a 3 year scholarship my sophomore year I am contracting anyway (if they will let me)...if they would let me I'd contract right now, I KNOW this is what I want and I am tired of being non-contracted/non-scholarship. As an example non contracted don't get class As which means I can't participate in any of the color guard events and wasn't able to attend the veteran's day ceremonies, kind of a bummer...
 
aglages said:
I'm thinking that there are "probably" some AROTC units that may have more scholarships than they need. Couldn't hurt to call around to see what options are available. While I don't have all the details, it does sound as though his unit is not giving him much reason to be optimistic and he may need to get assertive while exploring all possibilities. Just a suggestion.....
Click to expand...

His is not the only unit affected. This is happening to other cadets at other schools as well. My understanding is that units that don't use their scholarships turn them back to cadet command for other units to use. If there is no money Army wide then there won't be money in individual units.
The other issue is transferring. It is very very difficult for a freshman to transfer after one semester. Most colleges won't consider you as a transfer until you have two semesters. It is not very likely for him to transfer easily.

rotc2013 - SMP is Guard and ROTC. You certainly may commission AD if you do SMP. it is also another way to get funding for school. If your PMS is confident you will get a 3 year scholarship then that would be terrific for you.
 
rotc2013 said:
I have now been told that I'm not even allowed to contract without a scholarship until the beginning of sophomore year...unless funding for on-campus scholarships comes in during the next few months, I am not allowed to contract until then:unhappy:

I love how they tell me these things now...

I have done EVERYTHING they've asked me to do and was finally ready, I'm practically throwing myself at them, not too happy right now...
Click to expand...

You don't understand what contracting means- If you are not a scholarship cadet you do not contract until the start of your Junior year. At that time you will start receiving a monthly stipend- and you will incur an obligation. Other than the money aspect of your first two years - the only down side is that you are not eligible to go to summer training until you are contracted- not such a big deal.
In the meantime- you are still eligible for consideration for an oncampus 3 or 2year scholarship. If htey don't have the money to give or are limited then it'll be by order of merit on campus and the recommendation of the PMS.
It's not the end of the world-It's only been in the last few years that scholarships were like water. Before that this was the norm- there were a lot more nonscholarship cadets than scholarship ones. As JAM just pointed out- SMP would be a way to get funds whcih you should explore. It'll eat up some of your weekends but the pay will be pretty good and yes you can go active duty upon graduation.
 
Thanks for the information bruno and JAM. I was told that if I wish to contract without a scholarship (that is, receive the stipend but not the scholarship benefits), I have to wait until I have been in the program for two full semesters (aka beginning of sophomore year), and yes that will mean incurring a service obligation, which I have no problem with. This is the path I will probably take if there is still no money available at that time.

I am aware that the norm for many nonscholarship is not to contract until junior year but honestly I don't want to remain nonscholarship that long, but obviously that isnt up to me. From what my officers are telling me sophomore year is the earliest I can contract WITHOUT a scholarship. If funding becomes available this year for a 3 year scholarship I may contract sooner.

Bruno you bring up a good point about SMP, I think I will have to look into that
 
As a recipient of an AROTC scholarship, many years ago, I have to agree with Bruno's explanation. Additionally the MSI and MSII years for non scholarship cadets are for exploration, to see if the Army is really for you. Even if you are sure you want to serve as an officer, if the PMS is not sure about you, you may not receive an on-campus scholarship. Your job, in the next year or so, is to show your PMS that you are what the Army needs and wants. Don't beg or plead, prove it to him/her. Make sure that you have earned the top spot on the order of merit list. It's not easy in this competitive economy and world, but it's not easy in the Army either, where we all work to be the BEST everyday. Good luck, and go earn your scholarship rotc2013!
 
I'm also a MS1 and am in the same boat!

I was told if I came in last year I would most definitely have a scholarship. Apparently what happened was Army expected a certain % of the scholarship winners to accept the scholarships based off past numbers. Due to the economy a larger % accepted putting them 30 million dollars in debt.

Additionally, as an MS1 you can enlist in the National Guard but you will not be protected by ROTC in terms of being deployed as you can't contract till you are a sophomore.

It sucks. I have to drive to another school 15 miles away for PT, lab and lecture.. plus I had to purchase my own boots as we are on supply shortages as well.

But my PMS assured me that if I kept it up, a scholarship will be popping up next year with my name on it.
 
Glad to know someone else is in the same boat, azncreazion. I am confident that it will all work out in the end, no matter what that happens. The Army can't stay in debt forever, haha!

and HOOAH Lesrunmore, your post really put things into perspective. My apologies if I came off as whiny, was just a little frustrated/disappointed that there is nothing I can do except sit and wait. But you are absolutely right, I am going to give them nothing but my absolute best in order to prove myself. They will realize what an incredible asset they will be gaining by contracting me:shake: Thank you!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top