Son not selected for NROTC scholarship

[luckymomx4]

Our youngest son, Mark wasn't selected to receive the Navy ROTC Scholarship. He applied to 5 colleges and so far has received letters of acceptance to 3 so far. No clue as to why. We really thought he was going to get it. He applied in August 2015 and it sat in "no determination" status until tonight.

He's the battalion commander of his JROTC, 1900 on SATs, Ap classes, 4.0, top 10% of his class. His dream was to be a Naval Officer and pilot. He's deflated. Our sailor is working tonight, so he can't talk to him right now. — feeling heartbroken.

[Debbie1215]

Please tell Mark not to lose heart. My son did not get the scholarship the first two years he applied but did finally get a 2 year side load scholarship going in to his junior year. Please have him talk to the NROTC commanders at the schools he has applied to. He should be allowed to be in ROTC for up to 2 years as "college program" which simply means he is not getting scholarship monies, stipend or guarantee of commission. He would also not be eligible to participate in summer cruise. He can apply the next two years for a 3 year and 2 year scholarship. If he does not obtain scholarship by his junior year then he would have to be disenrolled from NROTC.
So please tell him if he wants this bad enough it can happen. It sounds like he is smart and determined. It is not anything personal - honestly it all boils down to the numbers the navy is allowed to offer scholarship to each year. And thanks to military cuts these numbers are not as high as they have been in years gone by. Scholarships have become more and more competitive. But my son is proof that it can happen.
While he is in NROTC make sure he keeps out of trouble, keeps his grades and fitness up so that he's highly ranked.

[kmaidaho]

I concur with Debbie! My son, too, was in the college program for 2 years before getting a scholarship.  He worked his tail off in the unit and in the classroom.  Ultimately, he graduated with a mechanical engineering degree and Commissioned in December 2014. He got his service selection-EOD. It seemed like there were numerous setbacks and challenges along the way, but looking back at it now, he wouldn't trade it for anything.  He is thankful for the opportunity to demonstrate his dedication and diligence.  The frustrating part for him was being in the unit and seeing some on scholarship not taking things as seriously as he did.  Some on scholarship didn't make it through Orientation Week!!  Now, that was hard...he would have taken and appreciated that scholarship in a heartbeat.  Best of luck to all of you.  I know how hard it is for YOU too!

[Debbie1215]

Oh yes my son would say the same thing about the scholarship kids..some got "under ages" for drinking, some had to go to mandated study sessions for grades... He was so frustrated his first 2 years. But God willing he will commission in may of 2017. It's been a roller coaster since his senior year of high school. So many knock downs but ultimately going to work out for him!

[Debbie1215]

Another thing my son was frustrated about was there were some on scholarship who simply saw it as a means to get paid college. Matt never looked at it that way. He would have done ROTC if they didn't pay for college because he simply wants to be a naval officer. But some didn't seem to have the same passion and it angered him.

[So proud Sal]

I know that feeling.  My son put all of his eggs in the Naval Academy basket and didn't get it.  He didn't even try for the NROTC scholarship until it was too late.  However, once he started college, he took all the same classes that the NROTC kids were taking and eventually was selected into the program, in his second year.  He didn't get the full scholarship, but he did get a stipend and is graduating this April as an officer.  I just recommend that your son choose a school with NROTC and get as involved as possible.

Best of luck!

[Strider223]

Wow, he looks like a perfect fit with those numbers. I know when my son applied the recruiter, was very aggressive with getting him presented and making sure all of the paperwork etc was in order. That said, my son has said that he has seen many students in his battalion that didn't start out with the scholarship get it. I hope he doesn't give up. My son said many of those on that path surely deserve to get the scholarship!

[USMC MotoMom]

I understand your heartbreak.  Our son, too, had high academics, tons of community service and didn't receive a scholarship. However, he re-applied and was awarded one in the 2nd semester of his first year of college.  He did college program his 1st semester.   You may never learn the reason for the decision, but encourage him to re-apply.  It truly is all about stats, ranking, and when his application is submitted, etc.    

[luckymomx4]

Thanks everyone.  It was a rough night at my house and then woke up to 8 inches of snow and ice.  Ugh.  I talked to one recruiter, where he did his interview last year for the scholarship.  He was pretty shocked that Mark didn't get the scholarship.  Then the recruiter out of Fallon called and immediately started asking if Mark wanted Nuke.  I said I didn't think so, but we are meeting with him tomorrow.  He said he's be an automatic E3 due to 4 years of JROTC and could then apply after A school to the sta 21 program.  I've not had very good luck with recruiters so I am leery.  Our recruiting station where my sailor recruited out of (Carson City) closed and Mark was just applying when they closed.  The Fallon recruiter didn't even know about Mark or that he had applied.  He totally fell through the cracks.

I also talked to the commander at University of Idaho NROTC program.  He said he could apply for the college program and hopefully get a scholarship after the 1st year.  The problem we have is there are no NROTC colleges in Nevada.  We would have to pay out of state tuition and it's going to be super tough to do.

[USMC MotoMom]

isn't there an "agreement" between Nevada and California for tuition?  I know students in CA who choose a college in Nevada do not pay for out of state tuition.  And I agree, he could definitely apply for college program and obtain a scholarship soon after.  My son did the same thing.  Of course there's no stipend or book allowance, etc., if you're college program - only if you've actually received the scholarship.  It's difficult times, I know.  It's a similar situation that our family went through when my son applied.  

Additionally, we didn't have very good luck with recruiters either.  However, one recruiter we spoke to actually pointed us in the right direction for the scholarship route -- otherwise, they all try to steer you toward enlisting vs the officer route. Don't get me wrong, I have all the respect in the world for all military; but if your son is set on the officer route (as our son was), go for it.  It may be easier said than done, but it will all work out in the end.   

[luckymomx4]

sort of re: Nevada and California.  There is something called a WUE scholarship a Navy mom told me about.  It's basically Western States can go to those colleges with almost the same tuition as in state.  I'm going to check it out and see what University of Idaho tuition is.

[Glenni]

Luckymomx4, I'm curious if your son took the Nuke option. My son just enlisted last week delayed entry as a Nuke, but is hoping for the scholarship. We are still waiting to find out.

[Amelia's Mom]

Hello!  I am just reading this now.  We just found out yesterday that our daughter also was not selected for the NROTC scholarship :(  It was hard news to swallow.  I am so glad I found this thread though and am hopeful that she will choose the college option and possibly be awarded the scholarship in the second year.  We have a son who is enlisted in the Air Force and know that things do not always run smoothly or easily when it comes to the military, but that is not necessarily a bad thing.  Things always work out in the end and if it means she has to work a little bit harder for this, I am ok with that.