Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 6/23/2007

Question
QUESTION: Hi, I just learned that I have been disqualified from my AFROTC scholarship because I have a history of pes planus, in other words I am flat-footed.  I was just wondering if you could tell me a little about the waiver process, such as when they would probably get back to me and what my chances are of receiving the waiver.  It seems odd to me that they would disqualify people for this because of how common it is, how do they judge whether to give a waiver or not?  I was really counting on the money from this scholarship and I'd like to know whether I'm going to have to be making different plans for college.  Thank you very much for any help you can give me.

ANSWER: Dear Jon --

I got a waiver for my hearing when I applied for my scholarship, so I know waivers are quite doable.  I am surprised that flat-footedness is still a disqualification now that shoes and boots can so adequately compensate for it.

I would apply for the waiver.  I would also apply for an Army ROTC scholarship, if you are really interested in serving your country, but are also counting on the scholarship to put yourself through school.

You could also try for other scholarships depending on your degree.  Please write back in more detail, and I will let you know other options to consider.

Good luck to you.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Evidently, the waiver is automatically applied for after I received the disqualification, but I was kind of wondering how common this is, and how good my chances are of it being overlooked, especially considering I did really well on my PFT and have great test scores and stuff.

I'm just worried because I'm going to be going to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign for aerospace engineering at the end of this summer, and if I don't get the scholarship it's going to be much harder to pay tuition, room and board etc.

Isn't it too late to apply for Army or any other branch ROTC scholarships now?  The Air Force deadline was back in January.

I also was very surprised to get this letter, because my feet aren't severely flat and I can put the orthotics I wear into any shoe...  Plus, flat-footedness is pretty common, so I would think they'd be disqualifying a lot of people.  Thank you very much for the help.

Answer
Dear Jon --

If your ROTC decision group sent your waiver forward automatically, then I believe they will give you the waiver.  It is generally easier to keep doing automatic waivers than to try and get the medical requirements for enlistment and service changed.

Since you are getting an engineering degree, you are a very sought after young man.  Some of the services would waiver the application deadline for you, if they have not filled their quota of incoming scholarship students in your region.  I do not think you need to worry though, it is in the AF's and your best interest that you get the waiver and the scholarship, so I believe the waiver is just a pro forma step they must take.

Good luck to you both with school and with your future AF career.