Paying For VMI

Roman

10-Year Member
5-Year Member
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I'm wondering if it's even possible for me to go to VMI if I get accepted and receive a ROTC scholarship. The ROTC scholarship would cover the $22K/yr in tuition, but there's still another $11K/yr in room and board and other fees. I don't qualify for any of VMI's scholarship because they all require that I have at least a 3.6 GPA and be in the top 10% of my class (I have 3.55 with hardest possible courses and am in the top 30%). I know I could only cover about $2k/yr with my own money but I have no way to pay the rest. Do you know how other people are doing it? Is anyone aware of any scholarships I should apply for? Thanks.
 
You should apply for financial aid. check the VMI website for financial aid and what their procedures are. You will have to file a form called a FAFSA so they can determine how much you are expected to pay.
There are Federal student loans available as well as grants to needy students.
There are important deadlines to meet - I urge you to contact the Financial aid office, they are there to help!


Note: The ROTC scholarship will cover your tuition, room and board; give you a book stipend and a monthly allowance.
 
I know I won't qualify for financial aid because of my parent's income and I've been told that ROTC does NOT pay for room and board (although some colleges offer a subsidy that covers it). I read that VMI only gives out $1000 to some ROTC scholarship recipients to help with the costs.
 
your are right - don't know what I was thinking - ROTC scholarship won't pay for room and board.

If your parent's refuse to help you pay for college you are kind of stuck. You need their cooperation to apply for financial aid and qualify for Federal loans. Your options will be limited. To apply for even private educational loans you will most likely need them to co-sign.

Is room and board at VMI really $11,000/ year? That seems kind of high.
 
your are right - don't know what I was thinking - ROTC scholarship won't pay for room and board.

If your parent's refuse to help you pay for college you are kind of stuck. You need their cooperation to apply for financial aid and qualify for Federal loans. Your options will be limited. To apply for even private educational loans you will most likely need them to co-sign.

Is room and board at VMI really $11,000/ year? That seems kind of high.

Based on our experience this year- As an out of state cadet with an AROTC scholarship you will wind up being on the hook for about $8k out of the total of about $35 k that VMI will cost this year- not including the $3000 you will pull in for your stipend annually ($8,ooo is about the cost of room and board.) I would not assume that you will not receive any scholarship aid from VMI- certainly not without talking to the financial aid people there. However as JAM points out you will probably need to apply for some loans and if your parents won't help you at all it will certainly be more difficult, especially if they have filled out and submitted the FAFSA and been evaluated as having the ability to make a contribution to your educcation costs. If you have already received an ROTC scholarship and acceptance to VMI- then I would recommend you call the admissions office and go over your situation and see what they suggest.
 
I believe if they claim you on their taxes, you have the right to use their tax information for your FAFSA. If you are an emancipated minor, you are in a different situation. Even if they do not plan to help finance your education, you are still required to use their tax info for the FAFSA. Talk to your HS counselor to see what other scholarships you can go after. There is so much out there...it just takes some serious legwork to figure it all out.
 
i'm going to vmi with an nrotc 4yr. it definitely doesn't cover room and board, but if you have one, vmi gives you $1000 or so for room and board. this still leaves a ton though. i don't know why vmi can't do better. other sr. military colleges, like citadel, norwich, north georgia, will cover all the room and board with a special scholarship if you have a rotc scholarship, but not vmi.
 
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