Room and Board

Herman_Snerd said:
When researching paths to serve, and room and board options, I just wanted to point out what a difference going to a school that covers room and board can make. I also will point out another potential advantage: “SOME” colleges will write you a check each semester and send you the merit monies you were awarded if you’re on an ROTC four-year scholarship that already covers those tution and fees. “SOME” colleges will cover room and board as well.

In less than a month, my DS will graduate and commission into the United States Navy. He went to one of the schools that sends you a check for merit monies (we do not qualify for financial aid but would have gotten a check for that too) if you’re on scholarship. Not all schools do this.

Had he chosen a different school, room and board would have cost 74k and he would have received zero monies back from merit awards. Instead, my son has five figures in savings, zero debt, and it’s great as he’s about to be hit with a bunch of expenses – housing deposit, re-registering of a car in a new state, car insurance, a car payment, the cost of a set of new uniforms., etc. He also enjoyed cruises, trips, while in college that he would not have been able to afford on his own dime otherwise..

I agree to pick the college you’d have the best experience at if you can afford it. But think about your long game too in avoiding debt that can weigh a lot of young people down like an anchor. Of course the SAs provide a phenomenal path for avoiding debt and starting your post-university life without that weight of debt too. Some of your HS classmates may end up graduating with more than 250k in debt from college. Seek to avoid that where possible.

Something to think about for those of you finalizing your decisions.
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Which school.....since I have one more DS at the beginning of his ROTC pursuit!!!
 
2023 Army ROTC Room and Board
1. How and when is the $10k disbursed for off-campus lodgings? My son didn't get into the school dorm.
2. The off-campus apartments ask for deposit and other fees, can we use part of the $10k for those? Does it include utilities and wi-fi charges.
3. If we find cheaper lodgings (apartment sharing instead of solo, or home bed space), do we get the unused portion of the $10k?
4. Is the 10k for 10 months of R&B or 12 months? A lot of apartments we see costs $14400 for 12 month lease. But if son comes home for 2 months during summer, might as well just lease 10 months instead.
5. What paperwork needs to be submitted to ROTC for room and board expenses?

Thanks in advance!
 
Candd82026 said:
2023 Army ROTC Room and Board
1. How and when is the $10k disbursed for off-campus lodgings? My son didn't get into the school dorm.
2. The off-campus apartments ask for deposit and other fees, can we use part of the $10k for those? Does it include utilities and wi-fi charges.
3. If we find cheaper lodgings (apartment sharing instead of solo, or home bed space), do we get the unused portion of the $10k?
4. Is the 10k for 10 months of R&B or 12 months? A lot of apartments we see costs $14400 for 12 month lease. But if son comes home for 2 months during summer, might as well just lease 10 months instead.
5. What paperwork needs to be submitted to ROTC for room and board expenses?

Thanks in advance!
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Someone else may be able to answer your questions more specifically, but what I do know is that money can take a little while to be disbursed and he will have to be contracted first, which happens when they first arrive at school in August assuming his DoDMERB is done and he's all set to contract (sign the paperwork and take the oath). The Battalion should have all the paperwork. It seems likely you'll have to pay the deposits and fees upfront if the complex is wanting them sooner rather than later. He can certainly reached out to his Recruiting Officer at the school and asked these questions. Son was told not to expect his monthly stipend until October, he is using Tuition and Fees, so not sure how timely R and B payment is, but be prepared to pay for a month or 2 just in case.
 
EJF said:
Someone else may be able to answer your questions more specifically, but what I do know is that money can take a little while to be disbursed and he will have to be contracted first, which happens when they first arrive at school in August assuming his DoDMERB is done and he's all set to contract (sign the paperwork and take the oath). The Battalion should have all the paperwork. It seems likely you'll have to pay the deposits and fees upfront if the complex is wanting them sooner rather than later. He can certainly reached out to his Recruiting Officer at the school and asked these questions. Son was told not to expect his monthly stipend until October, he is using Tuition and Fees, so not sure how timely R and B payment is, but be prepared to pay for a month or 2 just in case.
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Thank you for your reply, it's helpful. We need to budget at least 2 months rent while waiting for the scholarship to kick in.

My son has a virtual appointment with the ROO before he reports to school, so we'll be sure to ask then. Yes, he completed DoDMERB and ready to sign and take the oath.
 
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Candd82026 said:
2023 Army ROTC Room and Board
1. How and when is the $10k disbursed for off-campus lodgings? My son didn't get into the school dorm.
2. The off-campus apartments ask for deposit and other fees, can we use part of the $10k for those? Does it include utilities and wi-fi charges.
3. If we find cheaper lodgings (apartment sharing instead of solo, or home bed space), do we get the unused portion of the $10k?
4. Is the 10k for 10 months of R&B or 12 months? A lot of apartments we see costs $14400 for 12 month lease. But if son comes home for 2 months during summer, might as well just lease 10 months instead.
5. What paperwork needs to be submitted to ROTC for room and board expenses?

Thanks in advance!
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Was bored this morning and decided to check out the forum. To answer your questions about the R&B option for scholarship payment:

If you chose that option (vs Tuition and fees) your Cadet will receive a payment for $5K, minus taxes, each semester. That money can be used however you want to use it. If your Cadet finds a spot under a bridge and eats out of dumpsters he's going to pocket that money. If he/she lives somewhere that the rent and utilities exceed that amount he/she will be responsible for the difference.

Once your Cadet is fully qualified and contracts they should receive their payment as soon as the HRA and Cadet Command can process it.
 
calimom said:
School's that offer Free room and board for ROTC students

This is a very helpful website! http://www.slideshare.net/robwong4/nrotc-guide-2010

ROOM & BOARD PROVISIONS FOR 4-YEAR NROTC SCHOLARSHIPS NOTE: This list is intended to be used as a guideline reference for NROTC Scholarship Applicants. No guarantee is made or implied that these benefits will be granted to the applicant. These benefits are offered by the individual colleges and are in no way supported or funded by the U.S. Navy. It is the applicant’s responsibility to verify current availability of room and board provisions directly with the desired college or university. College Unit Code Phone Number Benefits offered by the


1. College Boston University 061 (617) 353-2000 Free Room & Board
2. Carnegie-Mellon University 067 (412) 268-2000 Free Room & Board (on a case by case basis)
3. Florida A&M University 009 (850) 599-3796 Free Room & Board (nomination from NROTC unit)
4. George Washington University 063 (202) 994-1000 Free Room & Board (prior active duty recipients) (tech majors eligible for a stipend of $4000 for room & board)
5. College of the Holy Cross 011 800) 442-2421 Free Room & Board
6. Washington State University 012 (509) 335-3564 Free Room & Board
7. Illinois Institute of Technology 013 (312) 567-3000 Free Room & Board
8. Iowa State University 015 (515) 294-4111 $2000/year Room & Board (top 25% incoming freshmen)
9. Jacksonville University 016 (904) 744-3950 Free Room & Board
10. Maine Maritime Academy 019 (800) 227-8465 Free Room & Board
11. Marquette University 020 (608) 262-3961 Free Room & Board
12. Michigan, University of 023 (734) 764-1817 Room & Board Scholarship (eng students, case by case)
13. Mississippi, University of 025 (662) 915-7211 Free Room (out of state residents)
14. Missouri, University of 026 (573) 882-2456 $1000/year to Free Room & Board (varies)
15. New York Maritime College 056 (718) 409-7220 Free Room & Board
16. Norwich University 065 (800) 468-6679 Free Room & Board
17. Prairie View A&M University 038 (409) 857-2310 Free Room & Board
18. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 040 (518) 276-6000 Free Room & Board
19. Rochester, University of 042 (716) 275-6111 Free Room & Board
20. San Diego, University of 059 (619) 260-4600 75% Room & Board
21. Savannah State University 043 (800) 788-0478 Free Room & Board
22. Southern California, University 045 (213) 746-1879 $2500/year Room & Board
23. Southern University and A&M 046 (225) 771-2430 Free Room & Board
24. Louisiana State University 046 (225) 388-1175 Free Room & Board
25. Tulane University 049 (504) 865-5000 Free Room & Board
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I would say that what we saw is if they offer free to one branch its free room and board for all. My ds is now at Tulane and the air force detachment had reached out to him after he received the scholarship to let him know he could go there totally free. Once you receive the scholarship, call the detachment at schools you're interested in. They have pull to get you in. It's like an athletic scholarship from that perspective.
 
Candd82026 said:
Second this. My DS asked admissions and they said they have an independent team who makes admissions decisions.

ROTC staff are not school employees.
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I would compare this to some sport programs at colleges. Some programs likely have alot of pull at certain schools (think BCS football), and some have little to no pull ( think table tennis program at a Div 3 school). The ROTC unit might be able to talk and recommend a candidate, but there is no guarantee that it will help or guarantee acceptance. There is so many factors at play with something like this. Even if there was a ROTC command with a good relationship with admissions, they will likely be gone in a couple of years, and the next command may not have as good relationship as the command before it.
 
If your DD/DS is thinking about applying to a College/Univ in Florida, I know of two universities that will give you a merit scholarship if you are a ROTC scholarship recipient. Univ of Tampa and Jacksonville Univ will give you a merit scholarship to cover housing and a meal plan. My son who is a freshman at Univ of Tampa (UT) is using his NROTC scholarship for tuition and uses the merit scholarship for housing and meal plan.

Univ of South Florida (USF) was his #1 pick but he got accepted to USF's St. Petersburg campus. It only made sense for him to attend UT and travel to USF for training in the mornings. A 20 min drive from UT to USF vrs 45 min drive from St Pete to the USF Tampa campus.

Jacksonville university was his #3 choice. He was sent an email from one of the Jacksonville Univ NROTC instructors trying to recruit him. That is how I know that Jacksonville Univ offers housing and meals. He came close to picking Jacksonville Univ but decided to stay close to home.

For Florida residents, look into using Bright Futures with your ROTC scholarship. Ask ROTC units about the college/univ, you are interested in, on what is/is not covered.

I don't know if there are other colleges and universities in Florida that give merit scholarship to ROTC scholarship recipients. I know USF does not automatically give you a merit scholarship for being a ROTC scholarship recipient. They may give you a merit scholarship based on other factors such as grades, sports, etc..
 
Texas A&M has a fairly new "Patriot Scholarship" for ROTC scholarship recipients that covers room and board for students whose ROTC scholarships already cover all tuition and fees.
today.tamu.edu

Texas A&M Commits $50 Million To Full Rides For ROTC Scholarship Recipients

The new 'Patriot scholarship' will cover room and board for students whose ROTC Scholarships already cover all tuition and fees, providing a full ride for more than 700 cadets.
today.tamu.edu today.tamu.edu
 
TCartens said:
If your DD/DS is thinking about applying to a College/Univ in Florida, I know of two universities that will give you a merit scholarship if you are a ROTC scholarship recipient. Univ of Tampa and Jacksonville Univ will give you a merit scholarship to cover housing and a meal plan. My son who is a freshman at Univ of Tampa (UT) is using his NROTC scholarship for tuition and uses the merit scholarship for housing and meal plan.

Univ of South Florida (USF) was his #1 pick but he got accepted to USF's St. Petersburg campus. It only made sense for him to attend UT and travel to USF for training in the mornings. A 20 min drive from UT to USF vrs 45 min drive from St Pete to the USF Tampa campus.

Jacksonville university was his #3 choice. He was sent an email from one of the Jacksonville Univ NROTC instructors trying to recruit him. That is how I know that Jacksonville Univ offers housing and meals. He came close to picking Jacksonville Univ but decided to stay close to home.

For Florida residents, look into using Bright Futures with your ROTC scholarship. Ask ROTC units about the college/univ, you are interested in, on what is/is not covered.

I don't know if there are other colleges and universities in Florida that give merit scholarship to ROTC scholarship recipients. I know USF does not automatically give you a merit scholarship for being a ROTC scholarship recipient. They may give you a merit scholarship based on other factors such as grades, sports, etc..
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Yes!
And some states have different room and board “perks”. In MN, my son gets free room and board bc of ROTC and then uses his scholarship for tuition. So everyone should def do their research as different states can have different offerings
 
airforce_brat said:
Texas A&M has a fairly new "Patriot Scholarship" for ROTC scholarship recipients that covers room and board for students whose ROTC scholarships already cover all tuition and fees.
today.tamu.edu

Texas A&M Commits $50 Million To Full Rides For ROTC Scholarship Recipients

The new 'Patriot scholarship' will cover room and board for students whose ROTC Scholarships already cover all tuition and fees, providing a full ride for more than 700 cadets.
today.tamu.edu today.tamu.edu
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This is awesome! 3 years ago it was between A & M and where my son chose. And I loved A & M! But where he chose everything was covered bc in Mn R and B is free for the scholarship winners. Eventhough I continued to tell him we would find a way to cover it at A & M, I always wondered deep down if that played a role in his decision.
This is great news!
 
LookinUpMom said:
This is awesome! 3 years ago it was between A & M and where my son chose. And I loved A & M! But where he chose everything was covered bc in Mn R and B is free for the scholarship winners. Eventhough I continued to tell him we would find a way to cover it at A & M, I always wondered deep down if that played a role in his decision.
This is great news!
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It's pretty tough to turn down free room and board! All else being equal, you gotta figure that's a $15-$20K annual difference.

As good as an ROTC scholarship is, it's really not "free college" without room and board. Being able to go to school for four years virtually free is an amazing opportunity.
 
Yes. Two of the schools on my DS's list give room and board for scholarship winners. And it includes four years of free room and board even for 3-year scholarship winners.
 
jketron said:
does Texas A&M cover room and board for 3 year winners?
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Yes.

Scholarships | Texas A&M Corps of Cadets

There are four categories of scholarships available specifically for members of the Corps of Cadets awarded and administered through the Corps Scholarship Office.
corps.tamu.edu corps.tamu.edu
today.tamu.edu

Texas A&M Commits $50 Million To Full Rides For ROTC Scholarship Recipients

The new 'Patriot scholarship' will cover room and board for students whose ROTC Scholarships already cover all tuition and fees, providing a full ride for more than 700 cadets.
today.tamu.edu today.tamu.edu
 
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