The ROTC scholarship program changes periodically. For the most current information about eligibility, applications and deadlines, call 1-800-USA-ROTC or visit the Army ROTC website. You can also contact the Army ROTC department at the college you plan to attend or the closest participating school.

The Four-Year Scholarship

The Army ROTC 4-year scholarship program is available to students who have graduated from high school or possess an equivalent certificate prior to starting college. Students are awarded Army ROTC scholarships through a highly competitive selection process. In keeping with high standards of excellence, candidates are selected for scholastic as well as extracurricular accomplishment, and not on the basis of financial need.

Scholarships are offered to cover full tuition and fees annually, and cover college tuition and educational fees. Scholarship payments can not exceed the actual cost of tuition and fees. Scholarship benefits can also be applied toward room and board capped at $10,000 annually, although you must choose between tuition and fees or room and board. Army scholarship winners also receive a tax-free subsistence allowance between $300- $500  per month for up to 10 months each year the scholarship is in effect. 1st year Cadets receive $300 a month during the school year, $350.00 a month in the second year, $450 a month in the third year, $500 a month in the fourth and subsequent years, if applicable. Scholarships do not pay flight fees.

Scholarship recipients may not attend ROTC Leaders Training Camp for training experience. Attendance at Leaders Training Camp forfeits an individual’s eligibility for a four-year scholarship.

Two Military Junior College schools, Kemper and Wentworth, have additional 4-year scholarships available. Interested persons need to contact either of these schools for further information on this 2 + 2 program.

A limited number of scholarships are available to those individuals who desire to attend a Historically Black College/University (HBCU). To apply for one of these HBCU scholarships, complete item 11 on the first page of the application. You will still be considered for the national 4-year scholarship program. Your first school choice must be one of the schools identified in the HBCU list. If you are offered one of these scholarships, you must attend the HBCU listed in your announcement letter for the duration of the scholarship. Transferring to other than another HBCU is not authorized.

How Winners are Selected

Selection of scholarship finalists is based on what we refer to as the scholar, athlete, leader (SAL):

• Results of Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or American College Test (ACT). If you take both the SAT and ACT, please furnish the results of both tests – your best score will be used.
• High school academic standing, honors and advanced placement classes plus academic achievement awards.
• Athletic involvement and achievements in either team or individual sports.
• Leadership positions held in school organizations, athletics or in extra curricular activities outside of school. consideration is also given to jobs held while in school.

Personal Interview

The Professors of Military Science (PMS) at the colleges and universities are now much more directly involved in selecting scholarship winners. Thus, if your application is competitive it will be sent to the PMS at the schools you listed as your choices on your scholarship application. You will also be provided contact information for a school in close proximity. The PMS will then contact you and arrange to interview you either by telephone or in person, depending on the distance involved. After evaluating all the competitive applicants who listed his school as one of their choices, the PMS will choose the applicants to which they want to award scholarships to their university. Cadet Command headquarters will send all applicants final notification of their status. If you are awarded a scholarship, you can use it only at the college or university named in your final notification letter. If you are sent an offer from more than one school you can only accept one offer.

Your Commitment to ROTC

As a winner of a four-year scholarship, you're required to take an ROTC class, which demands no more than a few hours of your time each week. Scholarship students lead essentially the same life as other college students. You may pursue any course of study leading to a baccalaureate degree and you may engage in any activity that does not interfere with your ROTC requirements – which include prescribed Military Science courses, participation in scheduled training periods, and completion of the ROTC Leader Development and Assessment Course (LDAC) between your junior and senior years. Upon graduation, you have an obligation to accept a commission and serve full time in the Active Army, or part time in either the Army National Guard or the U.S. Army Reserve.

Your Obligations

• You must sign a contract with the Secretary of the Army. If you are 17 years of age when you enroll, your parents or guardian must also sign this contract. If you are 18 or older, only your signature is required. This contract contains a requirement to repay the United States government for all financial aid received if, after you begin your sophomore year, you fail to comply with the terms of the contract. This repayment may be monetary or in the form of enlisted service. The choice rests with the Army and not the scholarship cadet.
• You must enlist in the Army Reserve for a period of eight years. You must be at least 17 years of age by the time of enrollment in order to sign an enlistment contract.
• You must enroll in the university listed, and pursue the academic discipline identified, in your selection letter.
• As a nurse scholarship recipient, you must attend theNursing school named in your announcement letter.
• Attend the 33 day ROTC LDAC normally between your junior and senior years of college.
• You must accept a commission as either an active Army, Army Reserve, or Army National Guard officer upon completion of the required academic and ROTC courses.
• You must serve in the military for a combined period of eight years on active and/or reserve duty, as determined by the U.S. Army, it usually consists of four years of active duty and four years of inactive reserves or eight years of active reserve status in the U.S. Army reserve or The Army National Guard.  If you are commissioned as an active Army officer and your active service is terminated before you complete your military obligation, you may be required to complete your military obligation in the U.S. Army Reserve or Army National Guard.

ROTC’s Commitment to You

In addition to helping you meet the escalating costs of going to college, ROTC provides an experience that successful careers are built on. You'll be given personal, scholastic and professional training no other college course offers. You’ll learn how to take charge, how to perform under pressure, and how to lead and inspire others. You'll graduate with an impressive resume in leadership and management, and with the background employers value. That makes ROTC a step in a very smart direction.

When to Apply

Applications are available from March of your high school junior year to 10 January of your senior year. For regular cycle consideration, your application must be completed and mailed before January 10th of your senior year. Winners are notified at several times but depending on when your application is complete these dates are 10 January, 1 March, and 1 May. We also offer an early-acceptance option. The application is due by July 15, and winners are notified by October 15. The application due date is April 1 for students pursuing a career in nursing.

Those applicants not selected for the “Early Decision” will automatically be considered for the “Regular Decision” competition. Early decision applicants may submit updates to their applications any time prior to 28 February. Only a few scholarships are awarded under the “Early Decision” option.

Competitive Processing Procedures

Applicants must meet all eligibility criteria to receive scholarship consideration. Unfortunately, all applicants can not be selected as finalists. Those applicants advancing to further scholarship consideration after initial screening are scheduled for a personal interview and a medical examination.

PERSONAL INTERVIEW – The interview is conducted by an Army officer who will ask you questions and will answer any questions you have about Army ROTC and the pursuit of an Army commission. Your information will be passed to the Professors of Military Science at the schools you listed on your application. Those PMS will contact you. You will be interviewed over the phone or in person, depending on the distance involved. You must pay any cost for transportation, food and lodging for the interview. At least one Face to Face interview is required unless living overseas.

MEDICAL EXAMINATION – Individuals selected for an interview will be contacted and scheduled for a medical examination by the Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board (DODMERB).

1. You are responsible for your own transportation, food and lodging related to this examination. Results of the medical examination will be furnished directly to you by DODMERB.
2. If you are unable to report for the examination as scheduled, you must notify DODMERB immediately. You will be rescheduled. Current height and weight requirements for a four-year scholarship and subsequent commissioning must be met.
3. All winners must be medically qualified in order to contract and receive scholarship benefits.

ARMY PHYSICAL FITNESS TEST – Applicants will usually conduct the Army Physical Fitness Test during the Face to Face interview. This test consists of three events-the maximum number of push-ups in two minutes - maximum number of sit-ups in two minutes and the best time in a two mile run.

A President's Fitness Test can be done by a school official in lieu of the APFT and usually consists of one minute of push-ups and sit-ups and a one mile run.

Individuals who are awarded Army ROTC scholarships must pass the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) prior to receiving any scholarship benefits. The APFT will be administered during the individual's first semester of college. Scholarship winners receive a description of the APFT events and the required standards they must meet.

How to Receive the Four-Year Application

Telephone 1-800-USA-ROTC (1-800-872-7682), or Submit an on-line request for the four-year scholarship application form, or you can apply on- line at www.ArmyROTC.com

Any Questions?

If you need more information about Army ROTC, or you have any questions, call 1-800-USA-ROTC (1-800-872-7682), or contact the Professor of Military Science at the college or university with an on-campus Army ROTC program closest to your community.

Scholarship Eligibility Requirements

You must meet the following general eligibility requirements to receive an Army ROTC scholarship:

• Be a United States citizen.
• Be 17 years of age by October 1 of your freshman year and younger than 23 on June 30 of that year. (In addition, you must be under 30 years of age on December 31  of the year in which you will graduate from college and receive your commission.)
• For a four-year scholarship – Be a high school graduate or have an equivalent certificate before September of your college freshman year. If you are taking or have taken college courses, you must be considered a beginning freshman and have four academic years remaining for a baccalaureate degree upon enrollment in the fall of your college freshman year.
• For a four-year scholarship – If you are in an accelerated program and will complete your senior year of high school and first year of college concurrently, you must have four academic years remaining in an approved baccalaureate degree program upon enrollment in the fall of the combined academic year.
• Have no moral obligation or personal conviction that will prevent you from “Supporting and defending the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic,” or conscientiously bearing arms.
• Satisfactorily explain any record of arrest and/or civil conviction.
• Receive a minimum SAT score of at least 920 points or an ACT composite score of 19.
• Agree to accept a commission in the United States Army.
• Meet required physical standards.