NROTC Campus 3 yr Scholarship Question - Re: Cross-Town Affiliate

[NJROTC-CC]

Here is the question:

DS may go to a state school that is the cross-town affiliate of a private school. The NROTC unit is hosted at the private school (which we cannot afford.) If he goes to the state school, and does real well, and earns a campus NROTC 3-year scholarship during his freshman year, would the scholarship be to continue at the state school, or would he be able to use it to transfer to the host school? I am sure that the Navy would prefer the scholarship to be at the cheaper state school. But is does seem more logical that the scholarship should be able to be used at the private school where the NROTC unit is based and where the scholarship would be earned, in a big part by his participation in the NROTC unit. I suppose this is a question we could ask the cadre the private school when we visit. They may have some experience based on past history. And I am sure the Navy reserves the right to place the scholarship at either school.

Our other option would be to start DS at the private school, take out loans for freshman year, and then if he doesn't win a 3 yr scholarship, his can remain in the NROTC unit at the private school as a college programmer, but transfer cross-town to the state school to finish his degree. I kinda like this idea because the loans would not be too bad for just one year, the transfer should be easy as long as he makes grades, and he would have continuity in the NROTC unit.

 

[justdoit19]

No idea but curious how this plays out and what you decide! Must be a larger private? Seems like usually (as far as my exposure) it’s the other way: the unit is at the state school, and the private commutes to the state school.

I feel like, in general, it would be more challenging to deal with a cross town commute, than not. Freshman year, first time out of the home as an adult, on your own, is challenging enough. Adding NROTC, and commuting would add to that.

I also wouldn’t like the price tag . Does he qualify for academic scholarships to the private school? I have read articles about asking even if they don’t. Talking with admissions about the price tag.

My experience with 4 that have gone through college, would be to make it the least stressful, that first freshman year, as possible. And that would include campus housing. We owned a rental for off campus housing of our kiddos, but still insisited they live on campus that first year. The support, community, total immersion into the school, staff, friends, and environment cannot be overstated living on campus, imo. So there is also that piece. Which supports the private school with the unit. Adding trying to commute across town to that first year, especially, would be adding stress, imo.

Good luck. Rooting for him to get that scholarship!!!!

 

[NJROTC-CC]

The host is Jacksonville U, which has the second largest NROTC unit in the country (after TAMU). The cross-town is University of North Florida. DS has friends at JU and we have heard good things about the program. We are still hoping for a NROTC-MO 4 yr. scholarship because JU gives free room and board to scholarship winners but we need to have backup plans.

 

[ProudDad17]

Not quite the same because both are public, but DS attended University of Michigan. Eastern Michigan University is a cross-town affiliate. Lots of mids on scholarship transferred from EMU to UM. UM tuition is more than EMU.

 

[EEBTTF]

Not exactly related to the OP, but I am hearing that 3 YR/sideload/campus-based scholarships are non-existent these days due to the "right-sizing" of the fleet. Same appears to be true on the AROTC side. It will be interesting to see how the overall number of scholarships are awarded this year compared to the last few years. My guess is that it will be significantly less.

 

[NJROTC-CC]

Not exactly related to the OP, but I am hearing that 3 YR/sideload/campus-based scholarships are non-existent these days due to the "right-sizing" of the fleet. Same appears to be true on the AROTC side. It will be interesting to see how the overall number of scholarships are awarded this year compared to the last few years. My guess is that it will be significantly less.

After reading that, I wrote to the NROTC office in Pensacola and I received the following response this morning:

"That is incorrect. We just completed the 3YR sideload board and had over 100 selectees. There is no plan to discontinue these sideload boards."

That is great to hear, because side load may be my DS' best shot.