Army ROTC National Scholarship

About this scholarship

The Army ROTC National Scholarship helps high school students pay for an undergraduate education while preparing to commission as U.S. Army officers. At more than 1,000 participating colleges, an award can cover tuition and fees or room and board. Every ROTC scholarship also includes $420 each month during the school year for living expenses and $1,200 each year for books. The published dollar value therefore varies by school and award structure. Applications for the current cycle opened June 14, 2026. The first national board deadline is October 12, 2026, followed by January 18 and March 8, 2027; students must start an application no later than March 4, 2027. Candidates create an account in the official Army scholarship portal and work with the Recruiting Operations Officer at a participating school. Eligibility includes U.S. citizenship, a diploma or equivalent, age 17 and under 31 in the commissioning year, and at least a 2.50 unweighted high school GPA for high-school applicants. Candidates must have taken the SAT or ACT, meet height and weight standards, and pass the prescribed Army fitness assessments. Academic achievement drives scholarship selection. Accepting an award creates an eight-year Army service obligation, although a recipient may leave ROTC after the freshman year without an obligation.

Eligibility

• Be a U.S. citizen
• Be at least age 17 and under age 31 in the year of commissioning
• Hold a high school diploma or equivalent before college enrollment
• Have at least a 2.50 unweighted high school GPA when applying from high school
• Have taken the SAT or ACT
• Pass the required Army fitness assessment and meet physical height and weight standards
• Agree to accept a commission and serve in the Army, Army Reserve, or Army National Guard
• Start and complete the official application by the applicable national-board deadline