I am a senior in high school, and I was awarded an AFROTC Type 1 Commander's Scholarship to my school of choice last September. I then accepted it when I was admitted to the school mid-January. While the scholarship does cover all my tuition needs, the monthly stipend and book allowance will not cover all other costs of college, such as rent, food, and miscellaneous expenses (deodorant is a necessity, not a luxury!). As such, I have dedicated myself to applying for non-ROTC scholarships all throughout this school year. As acceptance letters for some of these scholarships have started to roll in, I am now concerned about the payment process.
Some of these scholarships stipulate that they are directly wired to the school. My outstanding balance at the school (pre-ROTC scholarship payment) will only be tuition, engineering differential tuition, and other fees, as I have elected to live off-campus for financial and location reasons. My understanding is that if a student's balance with the school exceeds their amount of monies owed, then the school cuts that student a check for the difference between funds deposited and monies owed. My understanding is also that the AF typically pays the school last (as a cadet must first pass the PFA for the scholarship to activate). This is where my dilemma arises. If my non-ROTC scholarships are deposited into my account first, and then the AF pays the remainder of my balance (total tuition minus the non-ROTC scholarships I have won), then my non-ROTC scholarships will have simply reduced the burden of the AF, and I will not receive a check from the university so I can cover my housing/food expenses.
I have contacted my future CO regarding my concerns, and he referred me to my school's financial office. I have yet to receive a reply from the office (in my experience, persistence usually prevails in these cases, so I'll have to keep pressuring them).
Anyone who has experienced this situation is highly encouraged to correct my misconceptions, refer me to a solution method, or be the bearer of bad news. I appreciate any insight you may have. Thanks in advance!
ARS14
Some of these scholarships stipulate that they are directly wired to the school. My outstanding balance at the school (pre-ROTC scholarship payment) will only be tuition, engineering differential tuition, and other fees, as I have elected to live off-campus for financial and location reasons. My understanding is that if a student's balance with the school exceeds their amount of monies owed, then the school cuts that student a check for the difference between funds deposited and monies owed. My understanding is also that the AF typically pays the school last (as a cadet must first pass the PFA for the scholarship to activate). This is where my dilemma arises. If my non-ROTC scholarships are deposited into my account first, and then the AF pays the remainder of my balance (total tuition minus the non-ROTC scholarships I have won), then my non-ROTC scholarships will have simply reduced the burden of the AF, and I will not receive a check from the university so I can cover my housing/food expenses.
I have contacted my future CO regarding my concerns, and he referred me to my school's financial office. I have yet to receive a reply from the office (in my experience, persistence usually prevails in these cases, so I'll have to keep pressuring them).
Anyone who has experienced this situation is highly encouraged to correct my misconceptions, refer me to a solution method, or be the bearer of bad news. I appreciate any insight you may have. Thanks in advance!
ARS14
