Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 5/3/2009

Question
How do I get my college education paid for? I want to be an officer in the
marines but I know its impossible to get into the naval acadamy what do I
need to do

Answer
Jacob,
To get your college paid for, your only other choice is to apply for an ROTC scholarship.  A lot depends upon how good of a High School student you are.  (It usually takes at least a HS GPA of 2.5.  Since the Navy basically "owns" the USMC they attend the same Navy ROTC programs.

Scholarship amounts vary, but can go up to $17,000 a year. This money must be used to pay for tuition. You are not allowed to use it for room and board. You also receive money each year for books and a monthly cash allowance.  If you don't win a ROTC scholarship while applying in high school, you can still take ROTC classes in college. If you decide you like ROTC, you can reapply for a two- or three-year scholarship.  If you've been awarded an ROTC scholarship, but later decide the USMC is not for you, you can quit the program after your first year without any obligations.  There are Navy/Marine Corps ROTC programs at more than 65 colleges and universities across the country.  You can find a participating college at:

https://www.nrotc.navy.mil/colleges.cfm

ROTC offers various scholarships. High school students must apply the beginning of their senior year for a four-year NROTC scholarship. The deadline for fall 2009 was in Jan 2009. The minimum requirements for Navy/Marine Corps scholarships are 1000 on the SAT (based on the old SAT scoring system), 22 on the ACT, and the applicant should be toward the top of his/her class in high school.  To be competitive, applicants should have:  1200-1300 on the SAT and have close to or above a 3.5 GPA.  Also, well rounded applicants (those that participate in extra-curricular activities i.e. sports, high school leadership positions, and community service) help in the selection process. More information is located on the following website:

https://www.marines.usmc.mil/G3/Officer/nrotc.htm

Good luck and thanks for wanting to serve in the Marines.
Colonel H