No AFROTC scholarship, USAFA TWE

[Jakesimp_]

Hey all, just received my TWE from USAFA. I had planned on going to Purdue for their flight program as a backup, but didn't know this virus would come and hurt my family's financial situation. After considering everything I have available for me now, the best option seems to be joining AFROTC at Purdue and re applying to USAFA for c/o 2025 while doing more flight training (currently have a PPL with 70 hrs) at Purdue. My question is: Since I did not apply for an AFROTC scholarship, is there any way Purdue's detachment can offer tuition assistance after I commit to Purdue and join their detachment? I know about the ICSP and would apply for that if I got another TWE next year. I'm currently a little concerned about things right now and am hoping for some clarity when I call them tomorrow. Also, what leadership positions can be attained in one's first year at an AFROTC detachment? I'd like to get involved as much as possible at my university and ROTC. If anyone can help I'd greatly appreciate it!

 

[the86boi]

Hey all, just received my TWE from USAFA. I had planned on going to Purdue for their flight program as a backup, but didn't know this virus would come and hurt my family's financial situation. After considering everything I have available for me now, the best option seems to be joining AFROTC at Purdue and re applying to USAFA for c/o 2025 while doing more flight training (currently have a PPL with 70 hrs) at Purdue. My question is: Since I did not apply for an AFROTC scholarship, is there any way Purdue's detachment can offer tuition assistance after I commit to Purdue and join their detachment? I know about the ICSP and would apply for that if I got another TWE next year. I'm currently a little concerned about things right now and am hoping for some clarity when I call them tomorrow. If anyone can help I'd greatly appreciate it!

hey man, you probably remember me from the other thread. I am in the same boat as you, did not apply for an AFROTC scholarship. I do not believe there is a way to get financial assistance for this year. I am just trying to work as much as I can to cover this year and hope to God I get in for Class of 2025.

 

[Jakesimp_]

hey man, you probably remember me from the other thread. I am in the same boat as you, did not apply for an AFROTC scholarship. I do not believe there is a way to get financial assistance for this year. I am just trying to work as much as I can to cover this year and hope to God I get in for Class of 2025.

Yup, exact same for me. Let's just do as well as we possibly can this year in college, hope to see you in 2025 in Colorado

 

[aircat]

Purdue is a terrific school...a lot of great traditions and outstanding faculty. It's a great idea to reach out to the detachment commander at Purdue to discuss your goals of becoming an AF officer and how you're working toward that goal. Each AFROTC detachments has a Type 1 Commander's Scholarship to give out (for a technical major), but they are typically awarded by now so your next likely time to apply will be during the fall of your freshman year for the in college scholarship program. AFROTC has fall and spring semester selection phases so it's possible to get a scholarship during your freshman year. Good news is your DoDMERB exam is good for two years so the medical piece is completed...the rest is a little bit of paperwork and a lot of you showing what kind of a leader and asset you are for the detachment. Good luck!

 

[Jakesimp_]

Purdue is a terrific school...a lot of great traditions and outstanding faculty. It's a great idea to reach out to the detachment commander at Purdue to discuss your goals of becoming an AF officer and how you're working toward that goal. Each AFROTC detachments has a Type 1 Commander's Scholarship to give out (for a technical major), but they are typically awarded by now so your next likely time to apply will be during the fall of your freshman year for the in college scholarship program. AFROTC has fall and spring semester selection phases so it's possible to get a scholarship during your freshman year. Good news is your DoDMERB exam is good for two years so the medical piece is completed...the rest is a little bit of paperwork and a lot of you showing what kind of a leader and asset you are for the detachment. Good luck!

Aircat, this information is quite helpful, thank you. Thank the Lord that the DoDMERB info lasts two year haha! Do you have any recommendations or know of ways I can be a leader at my ROTC detachment in the first year? I want to go in with the mindset of becoming a leader both at Purdue (maybe starting clubs or just getting involved in other ways) and at the ROTC. As I reflect on my high school experience, I learned a lot of new ways to balance time with work, school, sports, and flying but didn't have enough years of high school to implement those skills there. Now, I feel ready to make positive changes in my communities even with the inevitable heavy workload I will encounter in college. Any advice helps

 

[aircat]

Your freshman year is certainly a year to learn, but there will be times for you to lead. During Aerospace Studies be the one who is assisting others with their studies, during leadership lab you'll have plenty of opportunities during leadership building exercises, take the reigns of coordinating anything the cadre will allow you to run with, and always be the one offering whatever assistance is needed. You will need to be proactive in finding opportunities, but the cadre will steer them toward you as you start to prove your abilities. If I may offer one bit of advice...I'm sure it goes without saying, but be a part of the detachment. What I mean by that is even if getting into USAFA remains your number one goal understand the detachment cadre at Purdue are putting 100% of their effort into making you the best Air Force officer you can become...the least you can do for them is provide 100% of your effort. Who knows, you may fall in love with Purdue, West Lafayette, and the AFROTC experience. In the end you'll be earning those butter bars and protecting us all! God bless and good luck!

 

[Jakesimp_]

Your freshman year is certainly a year to learn, but there will be times for you to lead. During Aerospace Studies be the one who is assisting others with their studies, during leadership lab you'll have plenty of opportunities during leadership building exercises, take the reigns of coordinating anything the cadre will allow you to run with, and always be the one offering whatever assistance is needed. You will need to be proactive in finding opportunities, but the cadre will steer them toward you as you start to prove your abilities. If I may offer one bit of advice...I'm sure it goes without saying, but be a part of the detachment. What I mean by that is even if getting into USAFA remains your number one goal understand the detachment cadre at Purdue are putting 100% of their effort into making you the best Air Force officer you can become...the least you can do for them is provide 100% of your effort. Who knows, you may fall in love with Purdue, West Lafayette, and the AFROTC experience. In the end you'll be earning those butter bars and protecting us all! God bless and good luck!

I am tremendously grateful for your advice, I will surely take it to heart this year. My parents offered some of the same input, focus 100% on Purdue and AFROTC and have USAFA as a secondary option. If I get in, great, I’ll go. If not, I’ll excel in ROTC and in my flying career at Purdue. I look forward to the next 4 (maybe 5 ) years and hope to report back soon with some good news !

 

[unkown1961]

Did Purdue offer any financial aid? If your parents' financial situation has truly been impacted, contact the financial aid office and ask for a review of your aid package given the new circumstances. It might be wise for your mom or dad to contact them since they know the financial numbers.

 

[f4fwildcatfm2]

Hey all, just received my TWE from USAFA. I had planned on going to Purdue for their flight program as a backup, but didn't know this virus would come and hurt my family's financial situation. After considering everything I have available for me now, the best option seems to be joining AFROTC at Purdue and re applying to USAFA for c/o 2025 while doing more flight training (currently have a PPL with 70 hrs) at Purdue. My question is: Since I did not apply for an AFROTC scholarship, is there any way Purdue's detachment can offer tuition assistance after I commit to Purdue and join their detachment? I know about the ICSP and would apply for that if I got another TWE next year. I'm currently a little concerned about things right now and am hoping for some clarity when I call them tomorrow. Also, what leadership positions can be attained in one's first year at an AFROTC detachment? I'd like to get involved as much as possible at my university and ROTC. If anyone can help I'd greatly appreciate it!

Concerning the leadership positions: My older sister is an AFROTC cadet (non scholarship) and she said that there are leadership positions even as an AS100. For example, there is a position called assistant morale officer and you can volunteer for that. It lasts the whole semester. Another thing to keep in mind is that a big thing for rotc is volunteering for stuff that is just a one day thing like being a guidon bearer.

 

[Herman_Snerd]

Above advice from @unkown1961 is spot-on. You / your parents should work with the financial aid offices of the schools you are considering to request a re-review of your financial aid and merit aid packages, given that the FAFSA details filed some months ago have perhaps significantly changed. Also, did you file your Purdue application prior to their 11/1/2019 EA deadline? If so, you are eligible for consideration for additional merit moneys from Purdue and this is the time they should be letting you know. I would definitely call them, and other schools, and ask for some support.

With regards to participation in a flight program and ROTC, fyi, flight fees are not covered by an ROTC scholarship. Even coming in with your private license, which will save you alot, it is expensive as you pursue your instrument, commercial, CFI, CFII, multi-engine ratings. If moneys are a concern, then a flight program can be challenging. recommend you pursue external scholarships and again just make sure you understand costs. Are you female by any chance? if so there are a lot of scholarships available. For males there are some, too. go after these as every bit can help. if you haven't already, please make sure you understand those fees in their professional flight program.

Lastly, look into programs which have benefit from the state you live in. Ohio state for ohio residents (or get their buckeye scholarship), the bright futures scholarship for florida residents - these when combined with other scholarships can make the cost at some flight programs at university much lower than others.

I have a DS who also earned his PPL in HS, and is in a flight program, pursuing his ratings and also in ROTC. If I can help you or your parents sort some of this out, please feel free to PM me. We can just keep general details that would help future or other board readers updated. Good luck and keep pursuing your dream to serve/ thanks for your willingness to serve.

 

[Herman_Snerd]

I had one additional thought to share, which is that if your passion is to fly, both USAFA and Purdue will get you there, but specific to the next 4 years, Purdue would offer you so much more hands-on actual flight experience, sim time, and at Purdue a limited jet pilot experience that to my knowledge no other program has in the next 4 years. The USAFA surprising- at least to my DS and me, doesn't offer actual much flight instruction while attending. In fact what you've earned is about what many achieve during their time there. PPL + less than 100 hours. this is only one factor of many, and you could continue to fly on your own in the summers. Just wanted to point out that not everyone who graduates from the USAFA becomes a pilot, and if you are resolved to fly and to serve even if you serve as something other than a pilot (which means you wouldn't be trained as a pilot by the military), then getting the training in undergrad guarantees you would have your path to fly commercial regardless of how you serve following your commission. If you were motivated enough to get your PPL in HS, you have a passion to fly. I know that passion - my DS has it too - just wanted to share that perspective in case it may help you. I wouldn't want to go to college, serve, then have to spend years getting my ATP hours in my late 20s/ early 30s after all of that powerful experience in the military. Hopefully you'll fly in the military, but.... Where you deploy may yield that you cannot take flying lessons very often, if at all, during that time. Good luck.

 

[mascara_mom]

We paid DS freshman year. Fall - sophomore year he was awarded the Commanders type 1 and from that point on, his scholorship kicked in.
He is the Commander of the Universities Honor Guard and has been involved in that since day one in college.
He was just awarded a pilot slot.
He applied to USCGA and was denied, so went the college/rotc route. He is actually happy how things turned out.
Good luck!