An ROTC scholarship is financial aid from the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps. ROTC awards are often generous, paying many of the costs of college for 2, 3 or 4 years. In return, scholarship recipients agree to take part in officer training during the school year and go to military service once they graduate.
The Army, Navy and Air Force each have their own ROTC program. While the Marine Corps does not have its own ROTC, the Navy offers a Marine option. These scholarships are available at civilian, military and junior colleges who host and partner with the ROTC across the nation.
HOW CAN YOU QUALIFY FOR A ROTC AWARD?
To qualify for an award from the ROTC you must meet some of the following eligibility:
Be a U.S. citizen
Are at least 17 years old
Have at least a 2.5 GPA (3.0 for AFROTC)
Meet minimum SAT and/or ACT score levels
Have a high school diploma or its equivalent
Pass physical fitness tests
Each branch uses a different scholarship application. As a result, there may be more specific criteria to meet in addition to the above.
The Army ROTC Four Year Scholarship is a full tuition scholarship for high school students who plan to attend a 4 year college program. It also covers fees and books, and a monthly stipend of up to $5,000 a year. To qualify you must be between the ages of 17 and 26, have a 2.5 GPA and SAT 1000 (math/verbal) or ACT 19 (excluding the writing test scores). In exchange for the scholarship you agree to accept a commission and serve in the Army on active duty. Also you may be in the Army Reserve or Army National Guard.
If you’re already in college as a freshman/sophomore, you may be eligible for the U.S. Air Force ROTC In College Scholarship Program. The program is merit based and there are two types. Both come with fitness standards set by the Air Force. Cadets on scholarship also need to keep up a 2.5 GPA and full time enrollment.
AFROTC Type 1: Reserved for Commanders’ In College Scholarships (CICS). These are for ROTC cadets pursuing a technical major. The awards pay 100% tuition at any public or private college with an AFROTC detachment. Selectees also receive a monthly living expense stipend and annual book allowance.
AFROTC Type 2: Awarded to all cadets selected through the ICSP and pays up to $18,000 per year in public/private college tuition. Selectees also receive a monthly sum for living and book costs.
10 ROTC College Scholarships You Should Apply for in 2021
These 10 scholarships for ROTC students could help pay for a college degree. Find out about eligibility and how to apply.
U.S. Army ROTC Three Year Scholarship
AFROTC Nursing Scholarship
AFROTC in College Scholarship
Navy ROTC Preparatory Scholarship
Illinois AMVETS Junior ROTC Scholarship
Army ROTC Nursing 4 Year Scholarship
Army ROTC Green to Gold Scholarship
Navy ROTC 3 Year Scholarship
NROTC Two Year Scholarship
HOW DO SCHOLARSHIPS for ROTC Students WORK?
There are ROTC scholarships for college students and high school students. Some pay full tuition, fees and textbooks plus a monthly sum for personal expenses. Others pay less and you may still have unmet financial need. If so, you may seek extra aid from the federal government and other sources.
When you accept an ROTC award, it legally binds you to serve in the military for a specific number of years. Failing to do so, the ROTC may unenroll you and there may be extra active duty. Your scholarship also turns into a loan which you have to repay.
While you are earning your degree, your curriculum expands beyond your major and electives. It includes mandatory ROTC courses, branch specific topics and ROTC military training in summers.
What are the Benefits of the ROTC Program?
If you aspire to become a commissioned officer in the U.S. military, an ROTC scholarship program may be perfect for your college education. Many of these programs pay full tuition for all 2 to 4 years of college, plus a monthly stipend.
Once you graduate, you enter military service as an officer and may have various ranks and duties related to national security. You may also develop leadership skills, physical fitness, and solid grades. You also get a sense of patriotism and courage within your experience.
After the ROTC, you may pursue civilian and/or military career options. According to GOARMY, some Officers may receive niche training and post graduate education. This may open up staff positions in upper management or lead to being a professor of military science.
What are the ROTC Service Commitments After Graduation?
Each branch of the armed forces that offers ROTC college scholarships has its own service terms which graduates must fulfill. These tend to differ for non scholarship cadets.
Army ROTC scholarship winners must serve for eight years. Four years of active duty as Army officers and 4 years in the reserves. Graduates who complete ROTC training will be commissioning as Second Lieutenants in the U.S. Army.
Navy ROTC scholarship holders (not Nurses or Marines) must serve at least five years of active duty military service. Depending on the job, there may be other terms. For instance, if you have a scholarship for medical/dental school, then you must serve nine to twelve years of active service.
Navy Marine Option: Midshipmen must serve at least 4 years on active duty.
Air Force ROTC scholarship holders serve four to six years of active duty and ten years for cadets trained as pilots
List of ROTC Scholarships
Check out our list of scholarships below. We have awards worth .
If you’re already in college, you can still experience the benefits of joining Air Force ROTC. In addition to detachment-specific scholarship opportunities, freshman and sophomore students may be eligible for the In-College Scholarship Program (ICSP). The program awards scholarships based on merit during two selection phases (fall and spring semesters) and are offered to cadets pursuing a technical major. Selectees will also receive a monthly living expense stipend and an annual book stipend.
Air Force ROTC offers the Nursing Scholarship Program on a competitive basis to undergraduate sophomores and juniors. Aspiring nurses must be accepted to a nursing program at a college or university accredited by the National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission (NLNAC) or Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Drummond Law Firm offers a $1,000 scholarship. Eligible applicants must be high-school students currently in a JROTC or Boy Scout Explorer program that has been accepted to and will be attending a post-high school institution in the United States. Click here to learn more and apply today!
The U.S. Army offers a Green to Gold Scholarship Option for Soldiers who are considering leaving Active Duty to attend college while receiving full tuition or room and board (capped), flat rate book payment and a monthly stipend.
Students who participate in Army ROTC are eligible for a variety of two-year, three-year, and four-year scholarships that can cover up to the full cost of tuition.
