VMI funding, scholarships and more questions

[vmifan]

Hello. I am new here.

I am a senior in high school looking to get into a senior military college. VMI is my favorite because of the majors it offers and the movie Field of Lost Shoe. Besides that, my step dad is naval academy graduate. He is retired now. This is why I want the military experience. I would like to do if possible NROTC at VMI. Despite this, I do not want to commission. I want to pursue a career in STEM, possibly a PhD. I want to major in applied mathematics and electrical engineering, but I am not sure either to dual major or which of those majors to pick. Is it possible to dual major at VMI? If so, how hard is it?

Are there non ROTC scholarships at VMI? I have seen the Merit Scholarship and some others in their web page. Are there any other non ROTC scholarships I could apply for? My mother and my step dad had offered me to pay my college tuition, but I do not feel comfortable getting their money, especially from my step dad. He has been a great model and father figure for me, but taking 60K a year from him for VMI tuition does not feel right for me.
My state offers scholarships but only for state colleges. Where else should I look for scholarships?

Is it possible to do NROTC without having to commission? VMI webpage says that cadets who do not plan to commission will be enrolled in army ROTC, but I want navy. I am a navy fan because of my step dad, though I want a STEM career.

What could I do to increase my chances to get into VMI? Is it easier to get in, compared to the federal services academies?

Thank you for your answers.

 

[clnd]

It is not possible to participate in NROTC without being on a scholarship/seeking a commission. The same goes for AFROTC.

Non-ROTC scholarships are mostly provided for by the VMI Foundation and will be granted when you submit your FAFSA. Most are based on need and what categories you fall into (major, ROTC, class, athletic team).

You can double major at VMI, but you will most likely stay for more than 4 years. You will learn quickly staying at VMI longer than 4 years is a pain, especially if you are coming from out of state. If you want to not stay for a full extra year, expect your summers to be at VMI for summer sessions.

VMI is easier to get into because you do not need to receive a nomination like the service academies (except the Coast Guard Academy). Recently, VMI has also had trouble finding new rats so physical standards have dropped.

Contact VMI's financial aid department if you have any questions about scholarships, they can help you more than anyone here can. Don't feel bad taking money from your parents for college. College has become ridiculously expensive in today's age. Take all the support you can get. Apply for as many grants and scholarships from outside organizations that can be used at any college.

 

[vmifan]

Hello @clnd, thank you for your reply.
I contacted VMI's financial aid department. I am applying for the scholarships I qualify. I also contacted VMI NROTC department. They told me they would let me do the first two years of NROTC, and then I would have to complete the last two years in the army department. They did not tell me why.
Do you know why? Why are NROTC and AFROTC not open to non commissioning cadets? Is there something especial that army ROTC does not have?

Thank you again for your reply.

 

[Sargon]

Hello @clnd, thank you for your reply.
I contacted VMI's financial aid department. I am applying for the scholarships I qualify. I also contacted VMI NROTC department. They told me they would let me do the first two years of NROTC, and then I would have to complete the last two years in the army department. They did not tell me why.
Do you know why? Why are NROTC and AFROTC not open to non commissioning cadets? Is there something especial that army ROTC does not have?

Thank you again for your reply.

All soldiers have to be in the Corps of Cadets, it's why VMI often says they have no civilians as opposed to other schools. If you're not contracting you are in the Army Corps of Cadets. It's the largest ROTC program on campus but the nearly 50% of cadets who don't contract participate with AROTC. Some are athletes, some just want the VMI experience/education like you. I'm saying this as a father of a recent graduate who is currently active duty Army. I'm sure someone more knowledgeable than me will further explain it.

 

[vmifan]

All soldiers have to be in the Corps of Cadets, it's why VMI often says they have no civilians as opposed to other schools. If you're not contracting you are in the Army Corps of Cadets. It's the largest ROTC program on campus but the nearly 50% of cadets who don't contract participate with AROTC. Some are athletes, some just want the VMI experience/education like you. I'm saying this as a father of a recent graduate who is currently active duty Army. I'm sure someone more knowledgeable than me will further explain it.

Yes, I understand all students at VMI have to participate in military training, which is exactly what I want to do. My question is why is only Army ROTC available to non commissioning students? Why is NROTC not open to non commissioning students? What I heard is that there are limited resources. In this case, does the Army have an unlimited amount of resources to train non commissioning cadets?

 

[GoCubbies]

Yes, I understand all students at VMI have to participate in military training, which is exactly what I want to do. My question is why is only Army ROTC available to non commissioning students? Why is NROTC not open to non commissioning students? What I heard is that there are limited resources. In this case, does the Army have an unlimited amount of resources to train non commissioning cadets?

I am just speculating here.

It’s an issue about resources for all the ROTCs at VMI. AFROTC and NROTC are resourced for the 3rd and 4th years based on their contracted cadets/mids.

AROTC is resourced the same way from the Department of the Army. BUT, I think the state of VA provides additional funding to AROTC for extra staff to that department because they are requiring non-commissioning track cadets to go AROTC. It’s the mantra of the military… you are resourced based on your requirements (ideally, anyway).

VA probably gives additional funding to contract AROTC instructors or puts VAARNG military personnel on state orders for a couple of years and assign them to VMI AROTC.

 

[Dadof2]

My question is why is only Army ROTC available to non commissioning students? Why is NROTC not open to non commissioning students?

You've asked this question a few times here and also on the ROTC forum. At this point, instead of questioning why, a better use of your time and energy may be accepting this and spending energy on things you can control.

You seem to be clear on not wanting to commission, which is absolutely fine. If you want the VMI military training and experience without commissioning you will certainly not be alone. This years graduating class had 53% of the class commission, so you would have a lot of company.

VMI is a great school, but you have to want that lifestyle. Even without commissioning you will go through the rigors of Rat year and all the other challenges. If you truly want this and give it your all, you will have a great experience and be better for it when you graduate. Like most experiences in life, what you get out of it depends on what you put into it.

Best of luck to you.

 

[clnd]

@vmifan you are correct the NROTC department does not have unlimited resources. While AROTC does have more, they are not unlimited. Non-commissioning 2nd and 1st class Cadets are affiliated with the AROTC unit but do not actively train or participate in ROTC outside of ROTC classes. They do not participate in Physical Training Time or ROTC Control Time. They also skip out of Fall FTX and do community service during Spring FTX. The NROTC and AFROTC departments are focused solely on producing commissioned officers. If you do not plan on commissioning or fail to secure a path to commission, you will be dropped from the program. This year, they dropped 15 people from the rising 3rd class from NROTC. However, everyone who submitted for sideload scholarships in Navy and Marine options did receive them.