ROTC scholarships and pay

Scholarships and pay

University of Idaho ROTC is a great value for students, providing an excellent education and top-notch training to be an Army officer.

Cadet stipend

All contracted cadets, scholarship recipient or not, receive a tax-free stipend of $420 per academic month. A cadet contracting their first day as a freshman earned a total of about $16,800 over four years, while those contracting on the first day of their sophomore year earn about $12,600 Stipends are prorated based on the contracted date. Scholarship dollars received are in addition to the stipend.

Army ROTC scholarships

Cadets may earn Army ROTC scholarships through National-based or Campus-based programs. These scholarships can also be Advance Designated (AD) Scholarships, which are awarded for future years. Scholarship recipients choose whether the Army covers tuition and fees or room and board when signing the original contract, and this choice is reconfirmed at the beginning of each semester.

Any scholarship questions can be directed to the Recruiting Operations Officer at 208-885-7464 or armyrotc_roo@uidaho.edu.

Scholarship and funding opportunities

Cadets accepting an ROTC scholarship are also eligible for: 

National-based
  • Awarded to: Graduating high school seniors or those obtaining an equivalent certificate.
  • Scholarship Types: Three- or four-year scholarships.
  • Coverage Includes: Full tuition, mandatory fees, book allowance ($1,200/year) and a monthly tax-free stipend.
  • Application Process: To apply, create an account and log in to the My GoArmy Scholarship Application Portal.
  • Application Tutorial: For guidance on completing the application, watch the official how-to video.
  • Competitive Process: Over 10,000 students nationwide compete annually. Interviews are conducted at local Army ROTC programs or schools of choice prior to being eligible for selection.
  • Advance Designated Scholarships: If you receive a three-year Advance Designated Scholarship, the first year is considered a “validation” year, during which you must:
    • Achieve a 2.5 cumulative GPA and a 3.0 cumulative ROTC GPA.
    • Pass the Army Fitness Test (AFT).
  • Maintaining the Scholarship: After activation, all scholarship recipients must maintain a 2.0 GPA (semester and cumulative, including ROTC courses) and pass the AFT to retain the scholarship.
Advance designated scholarships
  • Three-year scholarships require a “validation” year, during which students must:
    • Achieve a 2.5 cumulative GPA and 3.0 ROTC GPA
    • Pass the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT)
  • After activation, all scholarship recipients must maintain a 2.0 GPA (semester and cumulative, including ROTC courses) and pass the ACFT to retain the scholarship.
Campus-based scholarships

Campus-based scholarships are equally competitive to the ones awarded at the national scholarship level and are limited as well. Depending on available funding, students may be granted two-, three- or four-year scholarships. Interested cadets must meet strict qualification standards:

  • University-level scholarships, competitive and limited in number.
  • May be two-, three-, or four-year awards.
  • Eligibility requirements:
    • College cumulative GPA ≥ 2.5
    • Medically qualified
    • U.S. citizen (no dual citizenship)
    • No civil convictions or drug use (may be waived)
    • Pass the Army Fitness Test (AFT)
    • Under 31 years old at commissioning
Tuition Bridge Scholarship 

Out-of-state cadets who will receive an Advance Designated Scholarship are eligible for the Tuition Bridge Scholarship the year before their ROTC scholarship officially begins. This award covers the difference between non-resident and in-state tuition, helping cadets manage costs until their AD scholarship begins.

University housing waiver

Freshman cadets new to U of I may receive up to $5,500 per year toward residence hall and meal plan expenses. The award is renewable for up to four years for cadets who continue to live in university housing.

Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty scholarships (GRFD)
  • Three types:
    • ARNG Dedicated Scholarship
    • USAR Dedicated Scholarship
    • Flexible GRFD Scholarship (can progress into either ARNG or USAR)
  • Recipients must serve in the ARNG or USAR and participate in the Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP).
  • Scholarship funds may be used for tuition and fees or room and board.
    • If used for room and board, federal and state tuition assistance may also be applied.
    • If used for tuition and fees, federal/state tuition assistance cannot be applied to room and board.
  • GRFD scholarships cannot be converted or revoked by the cadet.
Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP)

SMP allows non-scholarship, contracted cadets and enlisted soldiers in the Army National Guard or U.S. Army Reserve to participate in ROTC while receiving mentorship from officers during monthly drills and summer training. SMP increases officer accessions and does not prevent access to the Active Army after commissioning.

Benefits for SMP Cadets:

  • Up to $4,000/year through Federal Tuition Assistance (must be fully MOS qualified for one year)
  • Drill pay at SGT/E5 once contracted (minimum 30 credit hours)
  • State tuition assistance for non-scholarship cadets who complete Basic Training
  • Montgomery GI Bill® Selective Reserve eligibility for those completing Basic and AIT
  • Monthly stipend of $420

Freshman cadets may enlist in the Idaho Army National Guard or Army Reserve between their freshman and sophomore years, gaining soldier skills, leadership experience and time in service. Cadets with 2-3 years of enlisted service prior to commissioning typically earn $750/month more than peers without this experience.

Note: Contracted SMP cadets are non-deployable.