NROTC Marine Sideload Scholarship

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NeedInspiration

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Apr 17, 2025
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When does the board meet for the three-year sideload scholarship for the Marine option for the 26-27 school year? I submitted my application at the end of February.
 
I believe they are like the Navy and do it sometime in the summer. Did you do it through your unit?
 
NeedInspiration said:
Yes, they were saying sometime in June but I've heard from other sources that it's earlier.
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I would go with what the unit told you. Straight from the horses mouth so to speak. It also makes sense. The applicants get two full semesters of grades, PFT's, and time for Marine leadership in the unit a chance to generated recommendations.

One recommendation to consider. If you have a good relationship with a professor from a class this year, maybe consider asking them to write you a recommendation letter. It can be sent to unit leadership. It is not a requirement, but it was a recommendation my DS got from a former PNS (@GWU PNS (emeritus)) when he was going for a side load that could be something that could tip the scales if you are "tied" with another candidate. DS was Navy and not Marine, but it is still something that can only help you. Doesn't have to be a long letter or email, just anything really. Something to think about.
 
I had a similar question. Do you have to commit before you find out about the scholarship in June? Unfortunately, my son did not receive the marine option scholarship this year, but will attend his first year on a GI Bill benefits in the hopes of earning one of these sideload scholarships after his freshman year. I read things had changed with the sideload, making it a summertime decision versus midyear decision.
 
Maxncandace said:
I had a similar question. Do you have to commit before you find out about the scholarship in June? Unfortunately, my son did not receive the marine option scholarship this year, but will attend his first year on a GI Bill benefits in the hopes of earning one of these sideload scholarships after his freshman year. I read things had changed with the sideload, making it a summertime decision versus midyear decision
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I believe it has always been a summertime decision instead of a mid year decision. This gives a CPer 2 full semesters to show the unit how they handle military bearing, academics, and fitness. Navy NROTC did have some On the Spot Scholarships(OTSS) that they awarded for the couple of years that happened during the school year. Some units did it, and some did not. I don't remember if Marine Options did them also. It sometimes gets confusing between what the blue and green side do related to NROTC because some things are different, but some are the same. Like awarding scholarships differently, but all attend NSI. Its easy to get the 2 confused.

As far as commit time, are you talking about when you have to commit to NROTC before 3/C year? That is usually right at school time fall semester. You can drop up until the 1st day of classes basically, or at least when the unit wants you to report to school. If you are getting a side load that summer, then you have to sign the contract. That would be when you commit to NROTC. DS is on the blue side, but he signed his side load right before school started, though he knew he was awarded in the middle of summer.
 
Ihavenoidea said:
I believe it has always been a summertime decision instead of a mid year decision. This gives a CPer 2 full semesters to show the unit how they handle military bearing, academics, and fitness. Navy NROTC did have some On the Spot Scholarships(OTSS) that they awarded for the couple of years that happened during the school year. Some units did it, and some did not. I don't remember if Marine Options did them also. It sometimes gets confusing between what the blue and green side do related to NROTC because some things are different, but some are the same. Like awarding scholarships differently, but all attend NSI. Its easy to get the 2 confused.

As far as commit time, are you talking about when you have to commit to NROTC before 3/C year? That is usually right at school time fall semester. You can drop up until the 1st day of classes basically, or at least when the unit wants you to report to school. If you are getting a side load that summer, then you have to sign the contract. That would be when you commit to NROTC. DS is on the blue side, but he signed his side load right before school started, though he knew he was awarded in the middle of summer.
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Thanks so much for the info. Son will not be able to attend at all beyond freshman yr unless he gets the side load between Freshmen and Sophomore yr. That’s why we were wondering when those are actually awarded.
 
Maxncandace said:
Thanks so much for the info. Son will not be able to attend at all beyond freshman yr unless he gets the side load between Freshmen and Sophomore yr.
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That is a tough spot and alot of pressure. Best thing he can do is max out everything to his best ability. Volunteer for as much as possible with the unit. Not only does that show him being a good teamate. He is also getting his name seen by the Marine Instructors for non required unit events. Max out the PFT is probably the biggest related to the Marines. Academics need to be as good as he can do also. Give the board that reviews the side loads no reason not to select him for the scholarship.
 
Ihavenoidea said:
That is a tough spot and alot of pressure. Best thing he can do is max out everything to his best ability. Volunteer for as much as possible with the unit. Not only does that show him being a good teamate. He is also getting his name seen by the Marine Instructors for non required unit events. Max out the PFT is probably the biggest related to the Marines. Academics need to be as good as he can do also. Give the board that reviews the side loads no reason not to select him for the scholarship.
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That’s his plan. He has talked to the marine Commander for the ROTC unit he will be in and this is pretty much what he has advised as well. Thanks for the advice.
 
Maxncandace said:
That’s his plan. He has talked to the marine Commander for the ROTC unit he will be in and this is pretty much what he has advised as well. Thanks for the advice.
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Has he already had a DODMERB review? Is he medically Q? That will be another piece of activating a scholarship.
 
justdoit19 said:
Has he already had a DODMERB review? Is he medically Q? That will be another piece of activating a scholarship.
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DoDMERB doesn't happen for NROTC until after awarded, so that is not something they will be able to check until after awarded. You are correct though that it will be something that will come up during the summer after being awarded.

Best to burn that bridge when you get to it.
 
Ihavenoidea said:
DoDMERB doesn't happen for NROTC until after awarded, so that is not something they will be able to check until after awarded. You are correct though that it will be something that will come up during the summer after being awarded.

Best to burn that bridge when you get to it.
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Correct. But if he applied to a SA, he may have already had it. I was pointing out that it may be something else to consider as an obstacle to attending the school he chose.

Sometimes kids attend schools they can only stay at if on scholarship💰 If they have a medical Q via an SA application, or prior yeap SA application, that would be another known.
 
justdoit19 said:
Correct. But if he applied to a SA, he may have already had it. I was pointing out that it may be something else to consider as an obstacle to attending the school he chose.

Sometimes kids attend schools they can only stay at if on scholarship💰 If they have a medical Q via an SA application, or prior yeap SA application, that would be another known.
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He didn’t actually apply to the academies. He came in too late in the game. Thanks for the ideas though.
 
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