<p>Hey, I'm a High School Senior who is applying to a bunch of competitive, expensive schools, and I am also considering applying for an ROTC scholarship. If I had the choice between my number one choice ROTC, or my number one choice not ROTC but still at an affordable price (presumably thanks to a need-based aid award), I would prefer the latter. My question is whether or not acceptance for an ROTC scholarship could even potentially revoke or limit the amount of need based aid a college would have offered me had I NOT received the scholarship.</p>
<p>Assume the following hypothetical, just for demonstrative purposes: I am accepted to Princeton University, which is among my top choices and is reknowned for giving very generous need-based aid awards. I am also accepted into ROTC, and offered a FULL SCHOLARSHIP to the ROTC institution of my choice. I would assume that Princeton would be made aware of my acceptance into their ROTC program and the scholarship I was offered, right? But even in this situation, I may prefer to attend Princeton without joining ROTC, just as a regular undergraduate, providing I could afford it (namely, providing Princeton offered me enough money to do so). Would Princeton's knowledge of my ROTC scholarship offer decrease the amount of aid they offered me outside of ROTC? </p>
<p>My logic says it would. Since Princeton would know the military will pay the full tuition, why bother offering to take less by offering me scholarship money? It's the same concept as early decision acceptances, who often get less scholarship money from the school, because the school know's they're forced to pay the full tuition if they demand it. Because of this, I'm hesitant to apply to ROTC, fearing my acceptance may decrease the scholarships I would have otherwise been awarded. But I could be totally wrong, and ROTC may not hinder my chances at non-military scholarships at all. Any advice?</p>
<p>I have no knowledge or experience of ROTC but remembered there was a thread about it recently.</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/918656-rotc-scholarship-no-longer-considered-financial-aid-2.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/918656-rotc-scholarship-no-longer-considered-financial-aid-2.html</a></p>
<p>Sounds like ROTC cannot be used to reduce federal aid but with institutional aid it is up to the school as it is their own money. Of course Princeton need based grants will mostly be their own money. It seems possible /likely they could reduce need based aid if you get ROTC.</p>
<p>Probably something you would have to check with individual schools.</p>
<p>Your ROTC scholarship won’t be activated until you show up in the fall, pass the medical and pass the Army Physical Fitness Test.
The ROTC dept will notifiy the accounting office that the Army will pay your tuition. At that time Princeton will adjust your financial aid award.</p>
<p>If you want to be in ROTC and in the military then apply for a ROTC scholarship. If you somehow lose your scholarship and are disenrolled (medical etc) they will adjust your award for you. As far as I know Princeton only awards need based financial aid - so what you get is dependent on you and your parents financial situation.</p>
<p>Princeton awards aid solely on need. Scholarships reduce need.</p>
<p>I suggest treating the admission app and the scholarship app as 2 separate processes. They will ultimately intersect, but you’ll go crazy what-iffing every scenario right now. </p>
<p>Remember, the Army pays all tuition, fees, and books. In your Princeton example, you can estimate your cost by simply looking at the room and board (~$12,000). </p>
<p>There are plenty of other excellent schools that provide FREE room and board to ROTC cadets. Just off the top of my head, I know Bucknell, Dickinson, and Elon do this. My son’s school, Wake Forest, kicks in a $5,000 scholarship for cadet R&B. So look around. If ROTC really is for you, there are ways to get your education at little to no cost.</p>
<p>You are way late in applying for any ROTC scholarship. Boards have already started to meet. The entire process should have been completed by the end of summer. </p>
<p>If you are only considering ROTC to pay for school - don’t. ROTC only works when your ultimate goal is to be an Officer. Based on your post you are looking for money. Don’t do it. People that do ROTC for the money wash out quickly. The military is very efficient in weeding them out. You will then be stuck with paying for a school you cannot afford.</p>
<p>I was going to make the same comment as Iron Maiden when I first saw this post, but she put it a lot more eloquently than I would have.</p>
<p>He, but that is OK. :)</p>
<p>[Iron</a> Maiden Official Website](<a href=“http://www.ironmaiden.com/]Iron”>http://www.ironmaiden.com/)</p>
<p>Once again I’ll agree with Iron Maiden. If you aren’t seriously interested in a career as a military officer, don’t start down the ROTC path.</p>