National Based
National Army ROTC Scholarships are awarded to High School seniors who will soon graduate or obtain an equivalent certificate. Students can be awarded a 3-year or 4-year scholarship at the National Based scholarship process.
Scholarships cover full tuition and mandatory fees for the term of the award. Competition for these scholarships is high, as over 10,000 students from across the country compete for them annually. The selection rates for these limited scholarships are small, sometimes as low as 30%.
The 4-yr scholarships pay for 4 years of college (tuition + mandatory fees, book stipend, monthly stipend). The 3 YR Advanced Designee scholarship pays for only 3 years of college. The first year the student is financially responsible for tuition and is considered the “validation” year.
The two critical steps to validate a 3 YR AD scholarship are 1) a student-cadet must achieve a 2.5 cumulative GPA and 3.0 cumulative ROTC by the end of the 1st year, and 2) pass the Army physical fitness test (APFT). After a student-cadet is awarded a scholarship (of any type) he/she must maintain a 2.0 GPA (semester and cumulative) to include ROTC and pass the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) to keep the scholarship. (Refer to the contract for additional details). Scholarship awardees receive a book allowance of $1,200 per year and receive a monthly tax-free stipend.
The scholarship process is centralized at Cadet Command. Typically there are usually three boards held annually (October, December/January, and March). Interviews are conducted at a local Army ROTC program or school of choice prior to being eligible for selection.
Apply for a 4-year Scholarship
Watch the Official ROTC YouTube video on how to fill out the 4 Year High School Scholarship Application.
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Campus Based
Campus based scholarships are equally competitive to the ones awarded at the National Scholarship level as well as limited. Depending on funding, we can award 4, 3, or 2-year campus-based scholarships. Interested Cadets must meet strict qualification standards and compete against many other qualified Cadets. The minimum eligibility requirements for an on-campus scholarship includes:
- Cadets must compete in the campus board process (conduct a scholarship interview)
- Cadets must be enrolled in Army ROTC for at least one semester
- Students must have a college 2.5 cumulative GPA or higher
- Must become medically qualified
- Students must be a U.S. citizen and cannot have dual citizenship
- No civil convictions or drug use (may be waived)
- Must past the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT)
- Cadets must be under 31 years of age at the time of commissioning
Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty Scholarships
This program consists of three types of GRFD (Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty) Scholarships: GRFD Dedicated ARNG (Army National Guard) Scholarship, GRFD Dedicated USAR (US Army Reserves) Scholarship, and GRFD Scholarships where the cadet can assess into either the NG or USAR.
This program allows individuals to be on scholarship, provide guaranteed service in the ARNG or USAR and requires the student to participate in the Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP).
GRFD Scholarship recipients may not request conversion of or revocation of their GRFD Scholarship contracts.
Scholarship money can be used for either Room and Board or Tuition and Fees. If Scholarship money is used towards Room and Board, Federal (in addition if applicable State, re: ARNG) Tuition Assistance can be used in conjunction with Scholarship money to pay for tuition. Room and Board amounts are taxable monies paid directly to the Cadet and are determined by an average or aggregate of the area. If Scholarship money is used for Tuition and Fees, then Federal/State Tuition Assistance cannot be used for Room and Board.
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SMP Program
The Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP) is an officer training program that allows non-scholarship contracted cadets and current enlisted soldiers within the Army National Guard (ARNG) and the United States Army Reserve to simultaneously participate in the ROTC program and to be mentored by officers one weekend a month and annual training during the summer.
The intent of the Simultaneous Membership Program is to increase officer accessions into the National Guard and the Army Reserve by allowing enlisted soldiers to earn their commission through ROTC while shadowing Army Officers in leadership positions during Guard or Reserve unit drills. By participating in the SMP program, does not preclude you from accessing on active duty when you commission.
Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty Scholarships.
This program consists of three types of GRFD (Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty) Scholarships: GRFD Dedicated ARNG (Army National Guard) Scholarship, GRFD Dedicated USAR (US Army Reserves) Scholarship, and GRFD Scholarships where the cadet can assess into either the NG or USAR.
This program allows individuals to be on scholarship, provides guaranteed service in the ARNG or USAR, and requires the student to participate in the Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP).
GRFD Scholarship recipients may not request conversion of or revocation of their GRFD Scholarship contracts.
Cadets who are an Army ROTC SMP will receive:
- Up to $4,000 per year through the Federal Tuition Assistance (NOTE: Student must be fully MOS qualified for one full year prior to applying for Federal TA);
- Once contracted with the ROTC (need a minimum of 30 credit hours to contract), drill pay in the grade of SGT E5 ($255/month);
- SMP non-scholarship contracted cadets who have completed Basic Training can receive State Tuition Assistance through VSAC (up to $6,500 per school year)
- SMP non-scholarship contracted cadets who have completed Basic and Advanced Individual Training (AIT) qualify to receive the Montgomery GI Bill® Selective Reserve (Chapter 1606/1607) ($355/month) and Montgomery GI Bill Kicker ($250/month);
- SMP students also receive a monthly stipend of up to $500 per month ($350/month for a sophomore, $450/month for a junior; and $500/month for a senior)
Note that contracted SMP Cadets are non-deployable.
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