NROTC Waiting for Scholarship

M

madtkuennen

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Dec 16, 2020
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Hello everyone! I applied for a NROTC scholarship and had all my materials submitted by the beginning of this year, however, I still have not heard any update. I called an officer and he told me that the final board was meeting on March 29th, and I would hear a final decision by mid April at the latest. However, I am also concerned because I will need a medical waiver and the process takes quite a while. I am not sure if I will have enough time to receive a waiver by the time they notify me if I receive a scholarship. Does anyone know what would happen if I did get a scholarship, but not a waiver in time? Is there any way to start the waiver process now?
 
The NROTC DoDMERB process doesn't start until you are awarded a scholarship. You will not receive scholarship benefits until you have passed the PFT and are medically qualified (waiver received).
 
kinnem said:
The NROTC DoDMERB process doesn't start until you are awarded a scholarship. You will not receive scholarship benefits until you have passed the PFT and are medically qualified (waiver received).
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OP already knows he/she needs a medical waiver, implying they've already been through the MERB exam process with a SA application. So while your reply is absolutely accurate about when the processes kick off, the question was whether or not the waiver could be processed in time to be final-awarded the scholarship prior to the semester's beginning.
 
Percy said:
OP already knows he/she needs a medical waiver, implying they've already been through the MERB exam process with a SA application. So while your reply is absolutely accurate about when the processes kick off, the question was whether or not the waiver could be processed in time to be final-awarded the scholarship prior to the semester's beginning.
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I don't see in the OP where it mentions he/she has already gone through DoDMERB for one of the SAs. I could be missing that though. Either way, @kinnem is correct regarding the timing. There are plenty of NROTC scholarship winners that start the semester without benefits. Hopefully they fulfill all of the requirements to contract prior to the end of the 1st Semester. If there are still requirements to be completed starting the 2nd semester, it is highly likely that all incurred costs during the 1st semester would not be reimbursed. This happens every year when people cannot complete the requirements to contract, hence the importance of attending a school you can afford in case the scholarship falls through.

Good luck!
 
I have heard that obtaining a medical waiver for NROTC is easier than getting one for a SA. Is this true? Is it also true that I can go to the school under the NROTC scholarship (if received) and get my medical waiver handled while I am in my first semester, or must it be done beforehand?
 
madtkuennen said:
I have heard that obtaining a medical waiver for NROTC is easier than getting one for a SA. Is this true? Is it also true that I can go to the school under the NROTC scholarship (if received) and get my medical waiver handled while I am in my first semester, or must it be done beforehand?
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Getting a waiver is no easier for NROTC than USNA. You can participate first semester while awaiting a waiver, but as pointed out above you will be responsible for tuition and fees if you do not contract by end of the semester. You will not receive the stipend as well.
 
kinnem said:
Getting a waiver is no easier for NROTC than USNA. You can participate first semester while awaiting a waiver, but as pointed out above you will be responsible for tuition and fees if you do not contract by end of the semester. You will not receive the stipend as well.
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kinnem said:
Getting a waiver is no easier for NROTC than USNA. You can participate first semester while awaiting a waiver, but as pointed out above you will be responsible for tuition and fees if you do not contract by end of the semester. You will not receive the stipend as well.
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I have a related question regarding waivers. I know that one SA can grant a waiver but a different SA does not have to follow suit. However, what if a candidate is up for a waiver from both the USNA and NROTC (after receiving a scholarship). If the candidate gets one from NROTC, does that also mean a waiver from USNA is assured, (and vice versa), since both will lead to becoming a Naval Officer. A special thanks to all the moderators and long time members for their advice and inspiration on this forum. You perform such an invaluable service and my DS and I are extremely grateful.
 
Abacab said:
I have a related question regarding waivers. I know that one SA can grant a waiver but a different SA does not have to follow suit. However, what if a candidate is up for a waiver from both the USNA and NROTC (after receiving a scholarship). If the candidate gets one from NROTC, does that also mean a waiver from USNA is assured, (and vice versa), since both will lead to becoming a Naval Officer. A special thanks to all the moderators and long time members for their advice and inspiration on this forum. You perform such an invaluable service and my DS and I are extremely grateful.
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No. For example, USNA permits just a handful of waivers for color blindness in each admissions cycle, and limits the career paths for those midshipmen to certain fields (no aviation, sub, surface ship, etc.). I do not believe the NROTC waiver authority allows any color vision deficiencies.
There may be other divergences.
 
Capt MJ said:
No. For example, USNA permits just a handful of waivers for color blindness in each admissions cycle, and limits the career paths for those midshipmen to certain fields (no aviation, sub, surface ship, etc.). I do not believe the NROTC waiver authority allows any color vision deficiencies.
There may be other divergences.
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Thank you. I was generally aware of the limited waivers for color blindness but not of any other divergences within the same service branch, at least so far.
 
Since it is up to the waiver authority (USNA or NROTC) they can both reach a different decision regarding any waiver. Capt MJ points out one area where the decision may be different based solely on a particular condition. As she said, there may be more.
 
I received my decision in mid to late April for NROTC. Needed two waivers and were able to get them in time to begin my MIDN career in Sep
 
Do you remember how long it took. Did you have to submit additional information to the waiver authority?
 
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