Scholarships are a great way to help pay for a post-secondary education. Students who qualify get access to free money; unlike a student loan, the funds don’t have to be paid back after graduation.
You may be able to qualify for an Army scholarship as a high school student who is looking to attend a college or university. Funding is also available for applicants who are already enrolled in a college program. Children or spouses of currently serving Army personnel or veterans may also qualify for a scholarship to help pay for their education.
Army ROTC Scholarships
Army ROTC scholarships are merit based, and are available to high school students considering a four-year degree, as well as people who are already enrolled in a secondary school program. Recipients of this type of assistance can have the full cost of their tuition covered, as well as receive an allowance to pay for books and fees. A monthly stipend for living expenses is also included in the scholarship funding.
A student who receives an Army ROTC scholarship is required to complete a service commitment of eight years. Four years are served on a full-time basis, and the remaining commitment can be completed as a member of the Individual Ready Reserve.
Army ROTC Historically Black Colleges and Universities Program
The Army ROTC Historically Black Colleges and Universities Program makes a one-time payment to students who are in their first year of a four-year post-secondary program. Applicants must meet the following qualifications to be considered:
- United States citizen
- Between the ages of 17-31 at the time of enrollment
- Must attend a historically Black college or university
- Join the school’s ROTC program
- Must meet Army physical requirements
- Achieve qualifying score on SAT or ACT
Between 180-250 Army ROTC Historically Black Colleges and Universities scholarship are awarded each year. The minimum amount awarded under this program is $5,000 and up to $16,000 may be given to a single student.
The Army Scholarship Foundation
The Army Scholarship Foundation offers scholarships to undergraduate students. Funding is provided on a year-by-year basis to children or spouses of soldiers. High school seniors or graduates can apply for available scholarships, which provide $500-$2,000 to help pay for the cost of a program at a technical school, college or university.
All applicants for funding under this program must be United States citizens under the age of 24. A minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0 is required to be considered, and students must also submit the following information with their application form:
- Certificate of Good Service for a parent or spouse
- High school transcript
- A signed income tax return from the previous year
- An essay
- A photograph
Army scholarships have been put in place to help future soldiers and the spouses and children of active duty personnel and veterans pay for the cost of their post-secondary studies. Before applying for financial assistance, a student should consider his or her funding options carefully, especially if accepting help means committing to military service for a time.
Additional Resources
Below we have listed additional scholarship resources for various members of the US Army: