By Amelia FortunatoI’m sure for many people, the thought of how they will pay for college has already crossed their minds. As college application season begins to pick up speed, many seniors are taking time to think about this. A good way to get college expenses paid is through scholarships. The Naval Reserve Officer Training Course (NROTC) Scholarship is a good way for kids who are interested in serving their country and attending college for cheap. The program offers 10-12 seniors from Eastern Pennsylvania a $180,000 full-ride scholarship to any college of their choice with an NROTC program or an association with a nearby program. This scholarship also provides money for books and school supplies and a monthly allotment for room and board or rent. (Photo Courtesy Of Medals of America) In October I spoke to Sergeant Stephen Winther, station commander of Reading’s NROTC Recruitment center, about this program. “Any eligible student can apply for this… Granted, you do have to serve time as an officer, so it’s to prep you as an officer too.” He then went on to tell me the academic requirements, including 1000 on the SAT, 22 on the ACT, and 74 on the Armed Forces Standard Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB), which will be offered at Wilson High School on Wednesday, April 10, 2019 (wilsonsd.org/wilson-high-school). The ASVAB is a free three-hour multi-aptitude test that consists of practice sessions and eight timed tests that provide academic and occupational scores to show what you’re efficient in and what you need to improve upon (wilsonsd.org). If interested, students can sign up in the counseling office.
If you’re wondering who qualifies for this scholarship, the answer is, “...any male or female between the ages of 17 and 28. The requirements are that you have to be in physical standards, so if you’re not sure what those standards are that’s why we have recruiters. You can always call and see if you are eligible before applying. ...you can’t have asthma, can’t have any allergies to foods, if you have allergies to medicine, as long as you just get a rash you’re good.” He then went on to tell me that talking to a recruiter is important, seeing as they help prep them so they can be qualified for the scholarship. On getting in touch with recruiters, he told me every school has a recruiter, who is more geared to the junior and senior class. He then informed me that if you do want to apply for the program you should start applying your junior year. About what the scholarship is for, he told me, “...for young men and women to be able to have the opportunity to serve in the United States Marine Corps Officer Program. This is a great opportunity for people who need help to go to school or want to join their country but also want to go to college at the same time. ...this is a great way where you can have your college paid for and also serve your country in the long run. You do have to be a part of the ROTC program [at your college]. ...it has to be a Naval or Marine Corps ROTC program.” About dates, he told me that the scholarship has been around for a long time. The scholarship is for finding the best highly qualified applicants who will serve in the Marine Corps. He tells me that they want you to become a highly successful officer, making it a give and take. He gives advice for kids applying to get out into their community and get active in their school. He says to stand out amongst your peers and be physically active. Men are expected to be able to do three pull-ups, a hundred crunches in two minutes, and a three-mile run under twenty-four minutes. Women are expected to do one pull-up, a hundred and fifteen crunches, and a twenty-six-minute three-mile. They want to see leadership when looking at applications. Interested students can get info at www.nrotc.navy.mil/marine.html and apply at www.nrotc.nacy.mil/ and select the marine option.
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