The reason it is worldwide is because many are AD military dependents who are stationed overseas. I just wanted to put that out for clarification, so people don't start thinking it is a huge pool. I can't imagine more than a few hundred come from overseas.
The real big point to walk away with is that only 100 are Type 1. That shows how competitive it is to get this scholarship.
Yr after yr many cadets get the scholarship, only to realize it is a Type 7 and they must now choose between the school and the scholarship. Type 7 only pays IS. You cannot make up the difference in cost. You can convert it to a 3 yr Type 2, but even at that point you will be out of pocket for 1 yr.
If finance is an issue, you need to have that Plan B in place on how you will pay for school as an OOS student if you get a 7 and convert to Type 2. There is a sticky here of many colleges that work with ROTC cadets regarding tuition, room, board, etc.
Yes, apply, but understand the chance of getting a Type 1, is 100 out of @15000. In other words top 1% of your class on a good day. Even harder if non-tech, since only 5% non-techs get it, in other words @ 5 people out of the entire pool.
Make sure you have every square filled. Max every point available. Don't just think the PFA is just to show you can run, it actually will be given a score and the points vary from a max to a min. Max academically, min PFA, and now you are avg.
Don't try to game the system and tell them that you are going to major in a tech field, and once there plan to change majors to a non-tech. You will need their approval to change majors and keep the scholarship.
Don't think once you get it are golden for the next 4 yrs., esp. the AFROTC program. If you do not get SFT, you do not get to become a POC. No POC, means scholarship revoked. This past yr the selection rate for 200' (sophs) was @50%. The min gpa for a scholarship I believe is 2.8. The min cgpa for the 200's that got SFT was @3.2.
Board for SFT meets in Feb. That means 3 semesters. Get a 2.8 one semester and you need 3.4 for the other 2 to balance it out. There are cadets all over the country that lose that 4 yr scholarship after their sophomore yr. It is rare, but it isn't uncommon.
That gpa also plays into your career field path. It is a big factor for the OML. Higher OML better chances for 1st choice. OBTW, what goes into that OML score besides the cgpa? Your rack and stack at SFT. In other words, you need that SFT (summer cruise for NROTC) to get that dream career path.
I know I diverted the thread, but I wanted to illustrate how everything you decide now regarding school choice and intended major can/will impact your future.
Lastly, remember that the cadets on scholarship are the minority. Most units may have 25% at best that are on scholarship. Do not take not getting one as IT IS ALL OVER, it isn't. Plus, at least for AFROTC when it comes to SFT or boards, scholarship recipients DO NOT get extra points, it is not an edge when it comes to these boards. Yes, many statistically do better, but that is because they need to maintain a min cgpa, and that weight is always on their mind due to fiscal issues.