How to Join

How to Join

Scholarships

There are several different kinds of Army ROTC Scholarships. Each scholarship type has different eligibility and application requirements. The benefits a student receives are the same regardless of the type of scholarship. Below are the standard benefits a student can receive.

The Army ROTC offers 4, 3, and 2-year scholarships. The scholarship covers your full tuition, mandatory fees, and $600 each semester for textbooks. Students receiving the Army ROTC scholarship will also receive a $420 a month stipend for 10 months during the school year to help with living expenses. Recipients can elect to have their scholarship cover room and board costs instead of tuition and fees. The room and board payment is $6,000 each semester, paid directly to the student.  

Students receiving the ROTC scholarship and pursuing a nursing degree will receive extra benefits to help pay for uniforms and equipment during their clinical rotations and the cost for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).

There are scholarship options with additional benefits for those students who are currently serving or looking to serve in either the Army Reserves or Army National Guard. 

To receive the Army ROTC scholarship, students must sign a contract to serve with the Army on either Active Duty, Army Reserves, or Army National Guard following graduation.

Types of Scholarships

National Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to high school seniors who are planning to attend a 4-year degree-producing college or university following graduation. Students need to apply and be able to meet all eligibility requirements to be awarded a 4 or 3-year scholarship. The 4-year scholarship will start as soon as the student signs their contract, usually within the first week of their first semester. It will cover all 8 semesters. The 3-year scholarship will typically start in the first semester of the student’s 2^nd year. The student will be responsible for all tuition, fees, and other costs during their first year. Learn more about the National Scholarship Process.

Campus Based Scholarship

Many students take the Military Science Basic Courses as an elective. These students decide they want to continue with the ROTC Program and commission following graduation. The campus-based scholarship is for those students. Students can be awarded a 3.5-year, 3-year, 2.5-year, or 2-year scholarship. These students must be placed on an Order of Merit list determined by the ROTC Cadre. The cadre will then determine which student, or students, will receive the scholarship, depending on available funding. It is strongly recommended that students competing for the campus-based scholarship attend all ROTC classes and events to include physical fitness training, labs, and field training exercises. 

Guaranteed Reserve Forces Scholarship

Also known as the Minuteman Scholarship. This is for those students who are currently enlisted or want to enlist in either the Army Reserves or Army National Guard. These students must be part of the Simultaneous Membership Program and want to commission in the Reserves or National Guard following graduation. See below for information about the Simultaneous Membership Program. Learn more about the Guaranteed Reserve Forces Scholarship.

Nursing Scholarship

Any of the scholarships listed above are available to students who want to pursue a 4-year nursing degree. There are additional benefits available to nursing students receiving the ROTC scholarship. Students must be enrolled in a nursing program to receive these additional benefits. Click here to learn more about the Army Nursing Program.  Reach out to the 2^nd Brigade Nurse Counselors for more information.

Green to Gold

This program is for current active duty enlisted soldiers who want to earn their first bachelor’s degree or first graduate degree. There are different Green to Gold options. Two of the common paths are the Green to Gold Scholarship or the Green to Gold Active Duty Option.

Click here and here to learn more about Green to Gold.

Eligibility Requirements

General eligibility requirements for all Army ROTC Scholarships are as follows:

• Be a U.S. citizen
• Be at least 17 years and under 31 in the year of commissioning
• Have a high school diploma or equivalent
• Have a GPA of at least 2.5
• Have taken the SAT or ACT
• Take and pass the Army Fitness Test
• Pass a physical through the Department of Defense Medical Evaluation Review Board
• Meet the Army height and weight requirements

Additional Requirements for Campus Based Scholarships

• Receive a recommendation from a current Military Science Instructor
• Acceptance letter from Professor of Military Science
• Be a current full-time student

Additional Requirements for Guaranteed Reserve Forces Scholarship

• Currently enlisted or pursuing enlistment in the Army Reserve or Army National Guard
• Be able to participate in the Simultaneous Membership Program

Additional Requirements for Nursing Scholarship

The only additional requirement is to be accepted to or currently enrolled in a nursing program.

Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP)

This is a unique opportunity for students to gain military experience while pursuing their education. The SMP is designed to enhance the military experience for ROTC cadets, providing them with valuable leadership training and experience in a real-life military environment. Here's what SMP entails:

• Dual Enrollment: Students can be enrolled in both their college's ROTC program and the Army National Guard or Army Reserve at the same time.
• Paid Service: Participants receive pay at the rate of at least a Sergeant (E-5) for their Guard or Reserve service, along with the ROTC Advanced Course allowance.
• Officer Trainee Role: Students serve as officer trainees in a Guard or Reserve unit, performing duties commensurate with the grade of second lieutenant.
• Commissioning: Upon graduation, students receive their commission as a second lieutenant, with the option to continue military service in the National Guard or Active Army.
• Benefits: SMP offers benefits such as tuition coverage, cash bonuses, monthly allowances, and additional GI Bill benefits.
• Click here and here to learn more about SMP.

Nursing

Army Nurses are in high demand, which means Nursing Cadets are in high demand.  If you are considering a 4-year nursing program and a career in nursing, then you need to look at becoming a ROTC Nursing Cadet.  Being in the ROTC will provide you with valuable leadership training which is easily applied to a career in nursing.  You will have the opportunity to receive the following benefits:

• 4-year scholarship to pay for your tuition and fees
• $420 monthly stipend
• $650 one-time payment to help pay for clinical attire and equipment
• Up to $200 to pay for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX)
• Up to $500 to pay for the NCLEX prep course

The Army Nursing Corps has 6 clinical specialty courses you can have the opportunity to pursue as a graduate degree. These specialty areas include: Intensive Care, Emergency, OB/GYN, Psychiatric, Community Health, and Peri-operative Care. Learn more about becoming a ROTC Nursing Cadet.