In addition to the ROTC scholarships noted below, don't forget to search your home state's list of military aid programs. Many states offer state-specific education benefits to qualifying students who are affiliated with the military. Benefits may include tuition waivers, tuition reimbursement, grants, and other forms of aid.
U.S. Army Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) Scholarships
Description:
In exchange for a commitment to serve on active duty or in an Army Reserve Component, the Army’s Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) program provides full-tuition scholarships to qualifying college students. Scholarships are available as four-year, three-year, and two-year options, depending on how many years of schooling remain when the student applies for program entry.
Sponsor:
The U.S. Army
Amount:
Up to the full cost of tuition and fees at participating colleges. ROTC students may also receive an allowance for textbooks and a stipend of up to $500 per month for living expenses.
Eligibility Requirement 1:
You must be age 17 to 26, have a high school GPA of at least 2.5, obtain qualifying SAT scores, and pass physical fitness standards. You must be accepted at a participating college.
Eligibility Requirement 2:
You must agree to serve in the Army on active duty or in a Reserve Component for four years after completing college.
Application Requirements:
Contact your chosen school’s military science department.
Deadline:
There is no official deadline, but college students need to enter the program with at least two years left of study at a participating school.
The preceding information was obtained from the U.S. Army Reserve Officers Training Corps website, available at:http://www.goarmy.com/rotc/scholarships.html
U.S. Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) Scholarships
Description:
In exchange for a commitment to serve on active duty, the Air Force’s Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) program provides one of three possible scholarships to qualifying college students. The scholarships are referred to as Type 1, Type 2 and Type 7, and they offer varying levels of tuition coverage. The type awarded depends on high school GPA, SAT scores, and choice of college major.
Sponsor:
The U.S. Air Force
Amount:
Up to the full cost of tuition and fees at participating colleges – or up to $18,000 per year for Type 2, and up to in-state public college rates for Type 7. AFROTC students may also receive an allowance for textbooks and a stipend of up to $500 per month for living expenses.
Eligibility Requirement 1:
You must be age 17 to 26, have a high school GPA of at least 3.0, obtain qualifying SAT scores, and pass physical fitness standards.
Eligibility Requirement 2:
You must agree to serve in the Air Force on active duty for at least four years after completing college.
Eligibility Requirement 3:
In most cases, you must choose to major in a technical or foreign language subject that can inform Air Force operations. Very few scholarships are awarded to applicants with non-technical majors.
Application Requirements:
Complete an online application by December 1, and meet with an Air Force Officer.
Deadline:
December 1, for the subsequent fall semester.
The preceding information was obtained from the U.S. Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps website, available at: http://afrotc.com/scholarships/
U.S. Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) Scholarships
Description:
In exchange for a commitment to serve on active duty, the Navy’s Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) program provides full-tuition scholarships to qualifying college students. Applicants are categorized as Tier 1, Tier 2, or Tier 3, based on their chosen majors, with Tiers 1 and 2 being most likely to receive scholarships.
Within the Navy’s NROTC program, there are specific options available to students who are interested in joining the Marine Corps or the Navy Nurse Corps.
Sponsor:
The U.S. Navy
Amount:
Up to the full cost of tuition and fees at 159 participating colleges. NROTC students may also receive an allowance for textbooks and a stipend of up to $400 per month for living expenses.
Eligibility Requirement 1:
You must be age 17 to 23 (or no older than 27 at the time of graduation), obtain qualifying SAT scores, agree to a prescribed list of college coursework, and pass physical fitness standards.
Eligibility Requirement 2:
You must agree to serve in the Navy on active duty for at least five years after completing college.
Eligibility Requirement Three:
In most cases, you must choose to major in a technical or foreign language subject that can inform Navy operations. Very few scholarships are awarded to applicants with non-technical majors.
Application Requirements:
Complete an online application as early as possible (after junior year of high school) or meet with a recruitment officer.
Deadline:
Not specified
The preceding information (updated as of April 7, 2011) was obtained from the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps website, available at http://www.nrotc.navy.mil