[Decision Regarding Retroactive Payment of College Tuition for ROTC Cadets]

Two Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) cadets claimed retroactive payment of college tuition, contending that: (1) the Army had authority to permit retroactive payment; and (2) they tried in good faith to resolve their medical qualifications in time for the Army to pay tuition costs. GAO held that the: (1) applicable statute did not prohibit the Army from retroactively paying tuition for school terms cadets completed before achieving full qualification; and (2) Secretary of the Army had the discretion under the statute to make such payments, consistent with the intent and objectives of the ROTC scholarship program. Accordingly, the claim was remanded to the Army.