Scholarships
The Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps scholarship benefit package covers full tuition and mandatory fees at all of our participating schools. In addition to tuition and mandatory fees, the student is provided a book allowance of $1200 per year, (to be divided equally between semesters or quarters depending on the school’s system.
Stipend
All scholarship or contracted cadets and cadets enrolled in the program are entitled to a monthly stipend of $420.
High School ROTC Scholarship (4-year and 3-year advanced designees)
This scholarship type is awarded to high school seniors who will soon graduate or obtain an equivalent certificate. Competition for these scholarships is keen, as over 6000 students from across the country compete for them. Scholarships pay for full tuition and mandatory fees, for both resident and non-resident students. Scholarship awardees also receive a book allowance and a monthly tax-free stipend to defray the cost of living.
There are two types of high school scholarships: 4-year and 3-year Advanced Designee. 3-year Advanced Designee scholarship winners must satisfactorily participate in Army ROTC their freshmen year in order for their 3-year scholarship to take effect at the beginning of their sophomore year.
NOTE: A high school senior who is awarded a 4-year or 3-year Advanced Designee scholarship from Army ROTC, and whose family qualifies for it, is still eligible for need-based financial aid from Lafayette College and is encouraged to go through that process.
Basic Eligibility Requirements
- Must be a U.S. Citizen
- Must be at least 17 years of age by October of the semester you are entering college
- Must not reach 27 years of age by June 30 of the year you will graduate from college
- If you are taking or have taken college courses you must be considered a freshman and have four academic years remaining for a baccalaureate degree upon enrollment
- Have a minimum high school GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
- Satisfactorily explain any record of arrest and/or civil conviction
- Have no moral or personal conviction against bearing arms, or supporting and defending the Constitution of the United States
Those applicants advancing to further scholarship consideration are scheduled for a medical examination and a personal interview.
Personal Interview
This interview may be conducted by telephone or in person depending on the distance involved. Any travel to and from the interview is at your own expense.
Medical Examination
Individuals selected for an interview will be contacted and scheduled for a medical examination by the Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board (DODMERB). Your medical condition is not a consideration in the selection of winners; however, all winners must be medically qualified and enrolled to receive scholarship benefits. Travel to and from examination is at your own expense.
Military Obligation
If you are selected for a ROTC Scholarship, you are required to:
- Sign a contract with the Secretary of the Army.
- Attend a 30 day Cadet Leadership Course (CLC) between your Junior and Senior Year.
- Accept a Commission to serve on Army active duty, National Guard, or Army Reserves upon degree completion.
- Serve in the military for a period of 8 years. This may be fulfilled by one of the following:
- Serving active duty, if selected, for 4 years followed by 4 years of service in the Inactive Ready Reserve(IRR)/National Guard/Army Reserves. You may elect to serve 8 years or longer on active duty, but only the first 4 are required. Terms of obligation begin at the time of commissioning.
- Serve 8 years in the National Guard/Army Reserves,that includes a 3-6 month active duty term for initial training. Terms of obligation begin at time of commissioning.
For more information on scholarships or to obtain an application, contact Recruiting Operations Officer Harry Harp at (610) 758-3272 or email him at hjh213@lehigh.edu . Applicants can also visit the Army ROTC scholarship website https://www.goarmy.com/rotc/scholarships.html