Tuition or Room/Board

S

senior2k17

Member
Joined
Dec 27, 2016
Messages
47
Hello , can anyone explain to me how Cadet Command know the amount to award me? For example, if my tuition is $6000 a year and I have scholarships, financial aid, etc, will the Army only cover what's left or the full amount of 6k. As for room and board, will they give me the money based on what the school says is the cost, even if I decide to stay home? I heard that choosing room/board is a smarter choice compare to tuition. Thankz
 
If the room and board is more expensive than the tuition, then it would make more sense to have the scholarship cover that if you have the option. Also, room and board expenses are not tax deductible, whereas tuition and fees are. You will not receive any payment for room and board if you live at home.

As for how it pays tuition... This is how it works at my DS's school... If your other scholarships are merit aid from the school, you will lose them because they won't be needed by you and the school can award it to someone else. Many private scholarships have a stipulation that if you get a military scholarship, that you must turn down the winnings from the private scholarship. Again... they can award it to someone who needs it. If you have other financial aid in the form of loans, you would cancel those because you wouldn't need them. Your scholarship would cover every penny of the tuition at your school.
 
Also be aware that if you use it for room and board, expect it to be late. Sometimes very late. My daughter is on an Army four year and still has not received her room and board for this semester. Make sure that you have money in reserves so that you can pay your rent if you need to.
 
If you use the AROTC scholarship funds towards Room and Board, you will need to keep track of this for tax purposes. Per the IRS, scholarships used toward tuition, fees, and required books/equipment are NOT taxable, but scholarships used for R & B, travel and other expenses ARE taxable.

At a cadet's tax bracket, this is not necessarily bad. It just requires proper and accurate bookkeeping.

Source: IRS Website:
https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc421.html
 
inSANEmom said:
As for how it pays tuition... This is how it works at my DS's school... If your other scholarships are merit aid from the school, you will lose them because they won't be needed by you and the school can award it to someone else.
Click to expand...

This is not how it works everywhere. My son had scholarships totaling roughly $9000 a year more than the cost of attendance. His school issued him a refund check every semester for about $4500. It is very school-dependent.
 
senior2k17 said:
I'm thinking I can still keep my pell grant?
Click to expand...
The best thing I can advise is to call financial aid at your school, ask for the person who handles the ROTC cadets. They will be able to answer all of your questions as to how your school handles each of these. Good luck to you, these are good problems to have!
 
If you receive room and board you will receive a $5k check each semester and it will be taxed. If you receive tuition and fees Cadet Command will send your school a check for the cost of tuition and fees. Your school will decide what other scholarships you can retain. In most cases you won't "need" any other financial aid to pay for school. I doubt anyone on this discussion board will be able to give you a definitive answer, so call the financial aid folks for the final answer.
 
Smalltowngirl said:
Also be aware that if you use it for room and board, expect it to be late. Sometimes very late. My daughter is on an Army four year and still has not received her room and board for this semester. Make sure that you have money in reserves so that you can pay your rent if you need to.
Click to expand...

Fall R&B is usually paid in Dec. Spring R&B will come earlier, usually around feb or march.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top