Scholarship concerns after PFT

[cookiemom159]

So, after many discussions and some well intentioned but inefficient preparation for his PFT, my son did not pass (36 sec over on the run). He is a 4 yr scholarship winner and we are unclear as to what needs to be done regarding his tuition for this semester? Unfortunately, his Scholarship and Enrollment Officer is away this week so he can't contact him directly. He was told he can retest, and plans to pass for sure on the next go 'round, but is there anything we need to do until then financially? I want him to be able to focus on the training and the classwork, so if we can at least reassure him about the tuition that should help.

 

[AROTC-dad]

Just to clarify, you are speaking about Army ROTC and the APFT (2-2-2), right? The PFT (1-1-1) is only required for the AROTC scholarship application. The APFT is required to validate the scholarship (and get tuition paid for).

but is there anything we need to do until then financially?

My understanding is that most battalions give a couple of opportunities to pass the APFT during the first few weeks of the semester. The University cashier or bursars office usually will be patient about allowing your DS to register for classes without the initial payment. However after a few weeks, all bets are off.

Just in case he doesn't pass again, I recommend that you do the following:

• Look into other financial aid that is offered.
• Find out if the college has a payment program (that you can afford) - Usually a down payment and three or four equal payments over the semester.
• If the tuition is too high at this college and he doesn't pass again, you might need to look into transferring to a more affordable college nearby that also participates in ROTC.

Good luck.

 

[cookiemom159]

Thank you. Yes, I was referring to the APFT, still getting my terms correct! (He was NJROTC in high school, and this is all new to me!) He has said he can retest in November, if not sooner, so hoping this was the only wake up call he needs, and he will be back on track soon. If needed, we are prepared to pay for the semester, just have to figure out if/when this is needed.

 

[AROTC-dad]

Your DS (not you) should contact the cashier's department and explain the situation. They will offer payment options. Also have him ask the ROO, if he passes the APFT in November will the money be released retroactively for the fall semester?

36 seconds short on the APFT is a substantial amount of time to make up. He should consider working with a running coach.

 

[thibaud]

If it helps, my son just took a similar PFT now and lowered his time (vs his previous, unsatisfactory time achieved three weeks ago) by more than 1 1/2 minutes. Obviously, he wasn't training properly or hard enough this summer, but he got his @rse in gear, began training intensively every day - getting up at 5 am to train in the cooler weather, even - and quickly lowered his 1.5 mile run time from >13 minutes to 11 min 17 seconds. This am he achieved a time of 10 minutes 37 seconds.

The life lesson your son is learning now is worth its weight in gold.

A bit of adversity + the time-tested management/performance improvement technique known as KITA can achieve remarkable results.

Go get 'em and good luck. It CAN be done.

 

[AROTC-dad]

KITA can achieve remarkable results.

 

[Jcleppe]

if he passes the APFT in November will the money be released retroactively for the fall semester?

As long as he passes the APFT and contracts by close to the end of the semester, his tuition will be paid in full for that semester. One thing that he won't get until he passes and contracts is his Stipend, once he does contract he will start getting the stipend but it will not be paid retroactive, he loses the stipend for the time he was not contracted. He will also not receive the book money for the semester until he passes and contracts.. Of course he should still talk to his Cadre and confirm all this with them.

 

[cookiemom159]

if he passes the APFT in November will the money be released retroactively for the fall semester?

As long as he passes the APFT and contracts by close to the end of the semester, his tuition will be paid in full for that semester. One thing that he won't get until he passes and contracts is his Stipend, once he does contract he will start getting the stipend but it will not be paid retroactive, he loses the stipend for the time he was not contracted. He will also not receive the book money for the semester until he passes and contracts.. Of course he should still talk to his Cadre and confirm all this with them.

Thank you - that pretty much confirms what we thought was the case. Of course, we will wait until he can check with his ROO once he is back to confirm, but at least we have an idea of what to expect.

 

[kinnem]

@AROTC-dad ... but Mr. Dithers...