Question about the Army Reserves and ROTC scholarship...

[Supertramp]

I was awarded a 3 Year AD scholarship in April to one of the colleges of my choice. The Enrollment Officer at the school was able to provide me a way of getting a 4 year room & board scholarship through the financial aid office, so that covers that problem.

My main problem though will be books and tuition for the first year. I've applied for FAFSA and, as far as I know, have been approved. I know for a fact this wouldn't cover all of my tuition and other expenses for that year. One option I'm thinking about taking is applying for some students loans, but I don't want to end up in any form of debt.

An alternative, that I've been thinking of, is joining the Reserves. Is it possible for me to do this, but at the same time, keep my scholarship?

 

[Thompson]

It is - in essence, you would be converting your Active Duty scholarship (Note: this in no way applies you automatically get active duty; just a name, that's all) into a Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty (GRFD) scholarship. However know that, should you decide to convert your scholarship into the Guard/Reserve GRFD scholarship, you will not be able to commission into the Active Duty Army.

 

[Strength and Honor]

I can't speak for your financial situation, but I really don't know if having to deal with enlistment and basic and AIT is worth just paying for one year of tuition, as well as losing any option to commission active duty. Just think it through, because I've seen several kids mess up their whole college career by enlisting in the Guard/Reserves.

PS: Are you thinking of enlisting or transferring your scholarship to GFRD as Thompson mentioned?

 

[Supertramp]

I can't speak for your financial situation, but I really don't know if having to deal with enlistment and basic and AIT is worth just paying for one year of tuition, as well as losing any option to commission active duty. Just think it through, because I've seen several kids mess up their whole college career by enlisting in the Guard/Reserves.

PS: Are you thinking of enlisting or transferring your scholarship to GFRD as Thompson mentioned?

To be honest, I am. It just seems like a good option to me, considering that I've been hearing that the chances of commissioning active duty have decreased from the past few years.

If I was to go Reserves, and commission as a 2LT, would I be able to somehow transfer to Active Duty after I fulfill my required 8 years?

 

[Jcleppe]

To be honest, I am. It just seems like a good option to me, considering that I've been hearing that the chances of commissioning active duty have decreased from the past few years.

If I was to go Reserves, and commission as a 2LT, would I be able to somehow transfer to Active Duty after I fulfill my required 8 years?

It will be very difficult to transfer to Active Duty. When you complete your Reserve obligation you would need to be released from the Reserves, you would then be trying to join Active Duty as a prior service. Right now that is very difficult and will most likely continue.

If I read your post correct you have a 3 yr Scholarship and 4 years of R&B paid, that's not bad at all. To be honest, if you are considering Active Duty at all then I would suggest taking a loan for FAFSA does not cover. I'm not sure what your tuition cost per year is at your school but if you have qualified for FAFSA your loan should not be overwhelming.

Unless you have a lot of current debt that will follow you past graduation you should be able to pay your loans off quickly, 2LT pay is not bad, and the bump at two years should speed up the pay off. Don't go crazy with a new car and toys after you commission and you should have plenty left to make a pretty high payment each month.

Getting Active Duty has become a bit more competitive, but if you work hard, keep a decent GPA, APFT, and are active in your battalion, you still have a good chance at Active Duty.

 

[Supertramp]

Thanks for the advice guys. Considering everything you've said, I think I'm going to stick with the Active Duty scholarship.