ishkabob

Some schools give 4 year scholarships to those who participate in their ROTC program. Would I still have to apply for an ROTC scholarship through army.rotc.com or could I just sign up with the ROTC program at my college in order to receive the 4 year scholarship from the college? The ROTC scholarship says (go to this website: Helpdesk Template ) : NOTE: Limited numbers of 4-, 3-, and 2-year scholarships are available once a student is on campus. Applicants should check with the Professor of Military Science (PMS) once they are attending classes.
So does this mean I still have to fill out that application?

I've checked out some of my schools and they said they would work with me and have had late applicants in the past.

thanks

raimius

Check with the college and the detachment's PMS.

Iron Maiden

Ishkabob:

I've seen your posts in other threads and have replied. Please don't use ROTC as a way to pay for college! ROTC is for students that have a calling to military service. The scholarship is a bonus for them.

You would have an 8 year service commitment after college. It is a contract, no way out. More than likely you would be put in harms way in the Middle East.

If you want to serve your country then ROTC is great. If the first thing you think of when you consider ROTC is "will I be killed" then you should think again.

Also, you don't have accurate information on the scholarship application process. No college gives you an Army ROTC scholarship. You have to apply with the Army, fill out a lengthy application, and go through a series of interviews. If your application is recommended for consideration after this process then you are placed in a pool with the other accepted applicants. You may or may not be chosen. The Army issues the scholarship - the colleges have no say.

In your application you have to list 3 - 5 colleges with Army ROTC units that you would be willing to attend. If you are fortunate enough to receive the scholarship it would be assigned to one of the schools you listed. You still to have to be admitted into the college - it is a separate process.

Finally, the Army ROTC scholarship pays for tuition, books, and a small monthly stipend. It does NOT pay for room and board - that cost is still up to you (unless you chose the $10,000 room and board scholarship in which case YOU have to pay tuition). Where you may have gotten confused is that SOME colleges will give you a room and board scholarship (partial or full) if you have the Army ROTC tuition scholarship. Not all colleges will do this.

You can also join ROTC without a scholarship, attend college, and try to earn a scholarship while in school. This is what they mean by the 3 or 2 year scholarship.

You still have to start the process by filling out the the Army application. And it is very late to be doing this for Fall 2008.

Bottom line - this is not a way to pay for college. It is a way to join the military and serve your country while preparing to become an officer and attend college. Two VERY different things.

You said in another thread about the National Guard "I definitely don't want to be on the front line". Where do you think you would be as Army officer coming out of ROTC? That is why the program exists.