<p>It’s clear that federal money isn’t available to U.S. resident males who have not registered for the draft (e.g., FAFSA & state-sponsored scholarships). There is no provision in SS rules for registering as a CO. Even illegal immigrants, who are citizens of another country and who have no claim on U.S. scholarship dollars, are legally required to register. Some private scholarships are available to non-registrants, and some colleges might offer institutional dollars. Failing to register is illegal and non-registrants can be charged, although I haven’t heard of this actually happening.
So my question is pretty broad – are there parents out there who would like to protect their CO sons from a military draft? Are there colleges who will help? (I do recall back in the 80s a particular LAC that offered “Solomon Amendment” scholarships to non-registrants.)</p>
<p>“There is no provision in SS rules for registering as a CO.”</p>
<p>You do not waive your right to claim CO status by registering with SSS. In fact you cannot claim CO status unless you register. The CO question is moot until you receive notice that you are qualified for military service. However, the military/government doesn’t want to spend a lot of effort and money classifying young men and listening to CO appeals unless there is an actual need.</p>
<p>All of these things have to happen before you are qualified for military service via the draft:
- Inductions must be authorized by the President and the Congress.
- The Secretary of Defense must request men for the Armed Forces.
- A lottery determines the sequence for selecting registrants for examination and induction, beginning with men whose 20th birthday falls within the current calendar year.
- Your lottery number is reached.
- You are examined and inducted.</p>
<p>At this point you are qualified for military service and can claim CO status. </p>
<p><a href=“http://www.sss.gov/FSconsobj.htm[/url]”>http://www.sss.gov/FSconsobj.htm</a></p>
<p>Thanks for reminding me. I don’t think recently 18 yr old S has registered. He is more concerned with getting his unrestricted drivers license.</p>
<p>like everything else, you can register online. (triple S??!) </p>
<p><a href=“http://www.sss.gov%5B/url%5D”>www.sss.gov</a></p>
<p>NJres, the SS will send your S the info. in the mail. You can then register online. It’s very simple…prob. more simple than the Driver’s License,lol.</p>
<p>Here are some web resources for conscientious objectors:
The Central Committee for Conscience Objectors: <a href=“http://www.objector.org/[/url]”>www.objector.org/</a>
They list some specific things you can do to help establish a CO claim, including writing that you are a CO on your SS card before sending it in. Their links page has some more good sites.</p>
<p>American Friends Service Committee: <a href=“http://www.afsc.org/[/url]”>www.afsc.org/</a>
Click on Youth and Militarism for a list of topics that include draft registration and conscientious objection.</p>
<p>I believe some Quaker schools offer to replace federal funds that are lost due to refusal to register. I think I read something about this on the Swarthmore site.</p>
<p>Even if you find a loophole to prevent registering for SS, be prepared to pay out of pocket for his educational expenses because short of an act of congress on behalf of your son, he will never be eligible for federal funding. I am dealing with a student now who is too old to register but never registered when he was supposed to. He cannot get ANY Financial Aid…ever!</p>
<p>Nwestmom, thanks for those links. The AFSC has long been active and helpful educating young men about their choices, recommending they first ask themselves whether they’re willing to go to war and kill people before deciding to register.</p>
<p>It’s only civil disobedience if you force the gov’t to take action against you.</p>
<p>Seems like a moot point anyways. If you’re not even willing to say you might, as a last resort, defend your nation, then why the hell should you get my money?</p>
<p>636</p>