ROTC scholarships and pay

Cadets new to U of I receive up to $5,000 per year toward residence hall/meal plan expenses. This subsidy is available only to those cadets who are new students when they receive an ROTC scholarship. It is not available for those who live off campus or in fraternity or sorority housing. This award is renewable for up to four years for program participants who continue to live in university housing.

Out-of-state cadets receiving an Advance Designated scholarship and in their second year at U of I are also eligible for the tuition bridge, which pays the difference between non-resident tuition and in-state tuition.

This voluntary option allows freshman cadets/midshipmen, from the Army, Navy, Air Force and USMC, to live in dedicated dorm rooms.

National Army ROTC Scholarships are awarded to graduating high school seniors or those obtaining an equivalent certificate. Students can be awarded a three- or four-year scholarship through the national based scholarship process.

Scholarships cover full tuition and mandatory fees for the term of the award. Competition for these scholarships is high, with over 10,000 students from across the country competing for them annually.

The scholarship process is centralized at Cadet Command. Typically, there are three boards held annually (October, December/January and March). Interviews are conducted at a local Army ROTC program or school of choice prior to being eligible for selection.

The four-year scholarships pay for four years of college (tuition, mandatory fees, book stipend and a monthly stipend). If you qualify for a three-year Advance Designee scholarship, it pays for only three years of college. The first year the student is financially responsible for tuition and this is considered the “validation” year.

To validate a three-year Advance Designee scholarship:

1. A student-cadet must achieve a 2.5 cumulative GPA and 3.0 cumulative ROTC GPA by the end of the first year.
2. Pass the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT).

After a student-cadet is awarded a scholarship (of any type) you must maintain a 2.0 GPA (semester and cumulative) to include ROTC and pass the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) to keep the scholarship. Refer to the contract for additional details. Scholarship awardees receive a book allowance of $1,200 per year and receive a monthly tax-free stipend.

Apply for a 4-year Scholarship

Watch the official ROTC YouTube video on how to fill out the four-year high school scholarship application. 

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:

• Have a college cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher
• Must become medically qualified
• Must be a U.S. citizen and cannot have dual citizenship
• Can have no civil convictions or drug use (may be waived)
• Must pass the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT)
• Must be under 31 years of age at time of commissioning 

There are three types of GRFD Scholarships: GRFD Dedicated Army National Guard (ARNG) scholarship , GRFD Dedicated U.S. Army Reserves (USAR) scholarship and GRFD scholarships where the cadet can progress into either the ARNG or USAR.

These scholarship recipients must provide guaranteed service in the ARNG or USAR and participate in the Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP).

GRFD scholarship recipients may not request conversion of or revocation of their GRFD scholarship contracts.

Scholarship money can be used for either room and board or tuition and fees. If scholarship money is used for room and board, Federal Tuition Assistance as well as applicable state assistance, can be used in conjunction with scholarship money. To pay for tuition or room and board, $6,000 per semester is paid directly to the cadet. If scholarship money is used for tuition and fees, then federal/state tuition assistance cannot be used for room and board. 

SMP is an officer training program which allows non-scholarship, contracted cadets and current enlisted soldiers within the Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserve to simultaneously participate in the ROTC program and to be mentored by officers one weekend a month and participate in annual training during the summer.

SMP is intended to increase officer accessions into the National Guard and the U.S. Army Reserve by allowing enlisted soldiers to earn their commission through ROTC while shadowing Army officers in leadership positions during guard or reserve unit drills. By participating in SMP, a cadet is not precluded from accessing to the Active Army after commissioning.

Cadets who participate in SMP will receive:

• Up to $4,000 per year through Federal Tuition Assistance (NOTE: Students must be fully MOS qualified for one full year prior to applying for Federal Tuition Assistance).
• Once contracted with the ROTC program (need minimum of 30 credit hours to contract), drill pay increases to the grade of SGT E5.
• SMP non-scholarship contracted cadets who have completed Basic Training can receive state tuition assistance.
• SMP non-scholarship contracted cadets who have completed Basic and Advanced Individual Training (AIT) qualify to receive the Montgomery GI Bill® Selective Reserve (Chapter 1606/1607) and may qualify for the Montgomery GI Bill® Kicker.
• SMP Cadets also receive a monthly stipend of $420.
• SMP is available to any cadet with sophomore academic status.

As a freshmen U of I cadets can enlist in the Idaho Army National Guard or the Army Reserve and go to training between the summer of freshmen and sophomore years. While taking advantage of this opportunity, you’ll gain not only soldier skills you can apply to developing your leadership style, but you’ll also start accumulating time in service. Cadets who have two to three years of enlisted service prior to commissioning typically make $750 a month more than their peers without this experience.

Note that contracted SMP Cadets are non-deployable.