ROTC scholarships and what they ask in return

Who pays and what it covers

Three programs run Reserve Officers' Training Corps scholarships: the Army, the Navy (which includes a Marine Corps option) and the Air Force (which also commissions officers into the Space Force). Each branch sets its own award types, and most pay tuition and fees or a set amount toward them.

Many scholarships also carry a monthly stipend during the school year and a yearly allowance for books. Some Army awards let a student put the money toward room and board instead of tuition, and some colleges add housing aid for ROTC scholarship holders.

Two ways to apply

High school students apply for national scholarships through the branch, usually in the fall and winter of senior year. The application looks at grades, test results where used, a fitness assessment, an interview and a medical review.

Students already in college can apply through the ROTC unit on their campus, or at a nearby college that hosts one. Talk to the unit's officers early, since campus-based scholarships have their own timelines and open seats change from year to year.

The contract and the service afterward

Accepting a scholarship means signing a contract with the branch. After commissioning, you owe a period of active duty or reserve service, and the length depends on the branch, the award and the job you are assigned.

Students can usually try ROTC classes for a period before signing. Once the contract takes effect, leaving the program can mean repaying the scholarship or serving in the enlisted ranks, so read the terms with a family member or counselor before you sign.

Fitting ROTC money with other aid

The aid office counts an ROTC scholarship as part of your resources for the year. Because it often covers tuition, the college may lower need-based grants or loans it would otherwise offer, so ask for a revised offer once the scholarship is confirmed.

Keep your grades and fitness standards up each term, since the branch reviews both before it keeps paying. The unit's staff can tell you which standards apply to your contract.