Scholarships for ROTC Program Participants

Army ROTC scholarships provide college and university students with financial support at affiliated schools in return for an eight-year service commitment. The program offers a four-year scholarship for graduating high school students pursuing a bachelor’s degree, plus two- and three-year options for students who have already completed some college. Current high school students can join the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC).

Scholarship recipients typically earn full tuition coverage, and some also qualify for room and board stipends. It is also common to receive living allowances and funds for books and school-related expenses. For eligibility, applicants must be 17-26 years old, have a minimum 2.5 GPA with a high school diploma or GED certificate, and earn a 1000 SAT score or a 19 on the ACT.

The Air Force ROTC scholarship program offers awards for current and future college and university students. Candidates can qualify for full-tuition scholarships at affiliated schools in return for completing the appropriate training program and at least four years of service after graduation. Scholarship recipients also receive living and book stipends and travel expenses.

The Air Force ROTC offers multiple scholarship awards, including the In-College Scholarship Program, the Commanders’ In-College Scholarships for technical majors, the Nursing Scholarship Program, and enlisted airmen scholarships. For eligibility, graduating high school applicants need a minimum 3.0 GPA with a 1240 SAT score or a 26 on the ACT. Technical and foreign language majors may receive preference.

The Navy ROTC Program provides college and university students with full tuition, book stipends, and travel expenses at affiliated schools in return for a service commitment in the Naval Reserve or Marine Corps Reserve after graduation. Applicants can choose from Navy, Marine Corps, or nursing scholarships and must commit to serving in those areas.

To qualify for the four-year scholarship program, each applicant needs fewer than 30 credits of college completed and must be over 17 years of age. Younger applicants may consider the Navy JROTC program. Candidates in a STEM or foreign language major may receive preference.

The Marines are the ground troops of the Navy, which means that Marines ROTC programs run under the Navy umbrella. For candidates interested in serving in this branch, the Marine Option Scholarship provides full tuition in return for completing the necessary training programs and committing to service in the Marines after graduation.

Instead of an ROTC scholarship program, the Coast Guard offers the Pre-Commissioning Initiative, which provides funding for aspiring Coast Guard professionals in return for a service commitment. Recipients receive two years of tuition and a full salary while they complete monthly Coast Guard activities. They must commit to three years of postgraduate service. An applicant aged 19-28 needs at least 30 completed college credits and a 2.5 GPA minimum to qualify.