ROTC Scholarship Payout

[redoctopusmedia]

Hi everyone. Senior in high school looking to do ROTC in college. Doubtful about my chances of winning a 4-year full ride scholarship, so wondering how the payout works if I "walk-on" ROTC. Say I join first semester, pass my PT, and get all my paperwork done, will scholarship money be able to pay for that semester? Or will I be on the hook for it? I'm wondering because my family is stretched a little thin at the moment and I don't know if we'll be able to afford even one semester.

 

[pa-outdoorsman]

You won't be given a scholarship for the first semester, or even the second. But if you join the battalion and prove yourself, you would have a good chance of EARNING a 3-year scholarship.

If money is a factor, there ARE options. You could attend a local community college that has a cross-town agreement with an ROTC unit at a four-year school. Some state universities are also quite affordable for in-state students. You may have to take some loans to cover the first semester or two, but that's a reasonable tradeoff for three years of government-paid education if this is something you are serious about.

What you really need to do is contact the ROO (Recruiting Operations Officer) at the school(s) you are interested in and ask about campus-based scholarship opportunities. Good luck!

 

[Ihavenoidea]

Hi everyone. Senior in high school looking to do ROTC in college. Doubtful about my chances of winning a 4-year full ride scholarship, so wondering how the payout works if I "walk-on" ROTC. Say I join first semester, pass my PT, and get all my paperwork done, will scholarship money be able to pay for that semester? Or will I be on the hook for it? I'm wondering because my family is stretched a little thin at the moment and I don't know if we'll be able to afford even one semester.

X2 of pa-outdoorsman

 

[COHO]

Hi everyone. Senior in high school looking to do ROTC in college. Doubtful about my chances of winning a 4-year full ride scholarship, so wondering how the payout works if I "walk-on" ROTC. Say I join first semester, pass my PT, and get all my paperwork done, will scholarship money be able to pay for that semester? Or will I be on the hook for it? I'm wondering because my family is stretched a little thin at the moment and I don't know if we'll be able to afford even one semester.

Don’t count yourself out! My DS does not have walk on water stats for academics (mainly ACT and SAT too low) and he won the first board 4 year ROTC and has two academy prep school appointments ! Don’t give up !

 

[TBVADAD]

Hi everyone. Senior in high school looking to do ROTC in college. Doubtful about my chances of winning a 4-year full ride scholarship, so wondering how the payout works if I "walk-on" ROTC. Say I join first semester, pass my PT, and get all my paperwork done, will scholarship money be able to pay for that semester? Or will I be on the hook for it? I'm wondering because my family is stretched a little thin at the moment and I don't know if we'll be able to afford even one semester.

Can tell you first hand knowledge. Know of kids in DS battalion that paid their first year. Did really well in school and ROTC. Went the extra and when it was time for their campus scholarship review. They were given 3 year scholarships.

I can tell you and I don't necessary mean you. If folks show up and just think the army and battalion will hand over money to someone doing the bare minimum. It will never happen.

But like @pa-outdoorsman mentioned contact the ROO.

 

[EJF]

It's not clear to me if you have applied for the AROTC scholarship, but if you did, don't count yourself out until the last board is finished. If you walk on, there is a chance the BTN will have money to give after their scholarship review board, but that money is often given for 2nd semester after you have proven yourself with grades and participation. They will sometimes have money for 3 year winners to be given first semester of freshman year. If you are interested in AROTC and don't earn the scholarship you have a couple options to help fund your first year or two while you work to earn scholarship money. You could choose to attend an instate college paying less tuition and walk on for ROTC. If you can live at home that's also helpful with costs. Another option is to join the National Guard in your state and they will pay your tuition. If you are interested in that option, I'm happy to connect you with my son who can explain to you how the National Guard works with ROTC and the benefits. He was fortunate to earn a scholarship, so he did not join the guard, but he has several friends that have, and he works closely with them in his BTN. Good luck!

 

[FastFood44]

Just giving some more encouragement, like you've already received... the majority of MIDN who stick with it, put in their max effort (in PT, Navy ROTC activities and grades), got the 3 yr scholarship.

Best of luck, I know finances the first year can be tough... but if you can push through and put in max effort, you have a shot! You never know if you don't try!