While you gain valuable leadership skills in Army ROTC, you can continue your college education at the same time—with financial support from the Army.
Get a Scholarship with Army ROTC
Scholarships and other monetary support are available when you join Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC), which relieves financial pressure so you can focus on your education. You'll graduate with a respected and secure career path as an Army Officer, and with less debt for the school years your scholarship covers.
You’re eligible to apply for a ROTC scholarship— which could get you up to 100% tuition coverage— if you’re a high school student enrolling in college, enrolled in college, or an active-duty enlisted Soldier.
Get Tuition and Fees Covered
Get the full college experience, only with less debt, in exchange for a career serving in the Army as an Officer after graduation.
- ROTC scholarship can cover either tuition and fees, or room and board, and each comes with money for living and books
- The scholarships can be applied to any of the more than 1,000 participating schools
- Your achievements and grades determine if you’ll be awarded a scholarship, not your financial need
Get Money for Expenses and Books
Receive monthly help to offset costs of living and books.
- All scholarships include an extra $420 per month for the school year to use toward monthly expenses, like housing
- All scholarships also allow $1,200 per year to spend toward books
If you’re thinking about joining the Army, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know.
Thanks for reaching out,
Questions you may have right now
- Who will reach out to me?
One of our recruiters will either call or email you to set up time to talk.
- Who will reach out to me?
One of our ROTC recruiters will either call or email you to set up time to talk.
- What will you ask me?
Our conversation will likely begin with some basic qualifying questions, like your age and education level. From there, the conversation will be about getting to know you and your goals for the future. Expect us to ask about your interests and skills so we can suggest Army jobs that might interest you.
- How can I prepare for the conversation?
-
While we'll ask you questions, this is your opportunity to ask some of your own. Here are a couple to get you started:
How can the Army help me pay for college?
Do I have to go to Basic Training?
- How can I prepare for the conversation?
-
While we'll ask you questions, this is your opportunity to ask some of your own. Here are a couple to get you started:
How can the Army help me pay for college?
What is the time commitment for part-time service?
- How can I prepare for the conversation?
-
While we'll ask you questions, this is your opportunity to ask some of your own. Here are a couple to get you started:
Can the Army help me pay for medical school?
Do I have to go to Basic Training?
- How can I prepare for the conversation?
-
While we'll ask you questions, this is your opportunity to ask some of your own. Here are a couple to get you started:
How do I apply for ROTC scholarships?
How do I join ROTC at the college I want to attend?
- Will I be expected to join if I talk to someone?
No. Our goal is to answer your questions and help you decide if the Army is a good option for you. We understand you may not be ready to join yet, or that we may not be the right fit, and that's fine. There's no obligation for talking to us.
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Thanks for reaching out,
Questions you may have right now
- Who will reach out to me?
One of our recruiters will either call or email you to set up time to talk.
- What will you ask me?
Our conversation will likely begin with some basic qualifying questions, like your age and education level. From there, the conversation will be about getting to know you and your goals for the future. Expect us to ask about your interests and skills so we can suggest Army jobs that might interest you.
- How can I prepare for the conversation?
-
While we'll ask you questions, this is your opportunity to ask some of your own. Here are a couple to get you started:
Do I qualify to join the Army?
Can I join as an Officer?
- How can I prepare for the conversation?
-
While we'll ask you questions, this is your opportunity to ask some of your own. Here are a couple to get you started:
Do I qualify to join the Army?
Can I join as an Officer?
- How can I prepare for the conversation?
-
While we'll ask you questions, this is your opportunity to ask some of your own. Here are a couple to get you started:
What type of health care jobs are available in the Army?
Can the Army help me pay for medical school?
- How can I prepare for the conversation?
-
While we'll ask you questions, this is your opportunity to ask some of your own. Here are a couple to get you started:
Can I join ROTC at my age
Can I join as an Officer?
- Will I be expected to join if I talk to someone?
No. Our goal is to answer your questions and help you decide if the Army is a good option for you. We understand you may not be ready to join yet, or that we may not be the right fit, and that's fine. There's no obligation for talking to us.
KEEP EXPLORING
Explore more topics that may interest you
Thanks for reaching out, .
We admire you for considering such a big career decision at your age. Unfortunately, we're unable to directly reach out to you until you are at least sixteen years old and a junior in high school. However, the following ROTC info is something that may interest you now.
Questions you may have right now
- How old do I have to be to serve in the Army full-time?
To become an enlisted Soldier, you must be 17 years old. To become an Army Officer, you must be at least 18 years old and have a college degree obtained either through ROTC, U.S. Military Academy at West Point, or from another college or university program. Learn more about Army Eligibility Requirements and how to receive Officer training while in college.
- How can the Army help me pay for college?
There are a variety of options available to help you pursue education with flexibility, such as ROTC programs, the GI Bill, and other programs that help pay for college tuition, trade school, technical school, or trainings. View all of the Education Benefits available to you
- How do I apply for ROTC Scholarships?
Army ROTC has several scholarships available for college-bound high school students. Review your options at ROTC Scholarships, or immediately apply by creating an account at my.goarmy.com to get started.
- How old do I have to be to serve in the Army part-time?
To become an enlisted Soldier, you must be 17 years old. To become an Army Officer, you must be at least 18 years old and have a college degree obtained either through ROTC, U.S. Military Academy at West Point, or from another college or university program. Learn more about Army Eligibility Requirements and how to receive Officer training while in college.
- What are the ways to serve part-time?
You can serve part-time as a Soldier in the Army Reserve or the Army National Guard. By serving part-time, you are able to continue your college education or work a civilian job, while earning an extra paycheck and maintaining many of the benefits of military service.
- How can the Army help me pay for college?
There are a variety of options available to help you pursue education with flexibility, such as ROTC programs, the GI Bill, and other programs that help pay for college tuition, trade school, technical school, or trainings. View all of the Education Benefits available to you.
- How do I become a health care provider in the Army?
You can serve part-time or full-time as you train in our health care program. Upon graduation of the program, you will enter the Army health care team as a Commissioned Officer.
- What types of medical careers are available in the Army?
There are numerous health care careers available through the Army Medical Education Deparment (AMEDD), including physicians, dentists, nurses, veterinarians, and many more. View your career options.
- How can the Army help me pay for college?
There are a variety of options available to help you pursue education with flexibility, such as ROTC programs, the GI Bill, and other programs that help pay for college tuition, trade school, technical school, or trainings. View all of the Education Benefits available to you.
- What are the benefits of joining ROTC?
ROTC makes it possible to achieve your ambitions. Become a leader and serve your country in one of the nation's top leadership training programs. You can do this while maintaining your college curriculum and earning up to 100% tuition coverage. Upon graduation, you're guaranteed a career as an Army Officer.
- How do I prepare to join ROTC?
When you're at least 16 years old and at least a high school junior, you can reach out to us, or even talk to your high school counselor. Together, we'll talk options and decide if ROTC is the right path for you.
- Will I become an Officer if I complete ROTC?
Yes. After graduation, you are commissioned as a highly respected second lieutenant in the Army, entrusted with leading other Soldiers.
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Apply While In High School
After you complete your junior year of high school, you can get a head start on your future by applying for the ROTC National Scholarship (a four-year scholarship), at a participating school.
Your Obligation
Your acceptance of the scholarship means a future service obligation of:
- Eight years of Army service, with requirements for active duty in the Army, and/or serving in the Army Reserve or Army National Guard, depending on the scholarship
- You may be eligible to serve part time in the Army Reserve or Army National Guard while pursuing a civilian career immediately after graduation
How to Apply
Get started on your scholarship application:
- Create an account on My GoArmy
- Upon creating an account, login to the Scholarship Application
- Locate and contact the Recruiting Operations Officer at the school you plan to attend—most of them have served before and understand the process you’re going through
Important Dates
Applications opened on June 12, 2023. Your application must be started no later than Mar. 4, 2024 to be eligible for review by the Army ROTC National Scholarship Board. Here are the application and board review dates for the 2024-2025 school year:
- Applications are due by Oct. 9, 2023 to be reviewed by the board from Oct. 16-20, 2023
- Applications are due by Jan. 15, 2024 to be reviewed by the board from Jan. 22-26, 2024
- Applications are due by Mar. 11, 2024 to be reviewed by the board from Mar. 18-22, 2024
Apply While in College
If you decide to join Army ROTC as a current college student, you’ll have access to Four-Year, Three-Year, or Two-Year Scholarships.
Four-Year scholarships are most commonly applicable to current students who are on a five-year college plan, while Two-Year Scholarships are more common for those who attend certain participating two-year community colleges before transferring to a four-year university.
Your Obligation
- Eight years of Army service, with requirements for active duty in the Army, and/or serving in the Army Reserve or Army National Guard, depending on the scholarship
- You may be eligible to serve part time in the Army Reserve or Army National Guard while pursuing a civilian career immediately after graduation
How to Apply
Locate and contact the Recruiting Operations Officer at your school to discuss how to apply. Their years of experience will help the process.
Standard Requirements for ROTC Scholarships
To be accepted for any ROTC Scholarship, you must meet these standards:
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Be at least 17, and under 31 in year of commissioning
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent
- Have a high school GPA of at least 2.50, unweighted, if you're in high school while applying
- Have taken the SAT or ACT
- Take the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT)
- Meet the physical height and weight requirements
- Agree to accept a commission and serve in the Army, Army Reserve, or Army National Guard
Career-Building Scholarship Programs
Scholarships for Studying Nursing
Nursing students who are in Army ROTC can apply for the Two-Year, Three-Year, or Four-Year Army ROTC scholarships. To apply, follow the directions above for high school students or college students, depending on your education level.
Being a nurse in the Army provides you with opportunities not found in the civilian world, including a three-week paid Nurse Summer Training Program, which introduces students to the Army Medical Department and the roles and responsibilities of an Army Nurse Corps Officer.
Scholarships for Enlisted Soldiers
As an enlisted Soldier, you have access to the Green to Gold program and scholarship opportunities to cover costs for tuition or room and board, while you earn your undergraduate or graduate degree.