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- How to win ROTC scholarships
- Resources for ROTC students
- Frequently asked questions
- Additional scholarship categories to explore
How to win ROTC scholarships
Now that you’ve got a list of ROTC scholarships to apply for, it’s time to start working on your applications. Before you begin to write your essays, it’s a good idea to take some time to reflect on what approach you’ll take. Here are a few things you should make sure to emphasize in your application:
- Why you are passionate about serving in the military – Whether you have a family history of military service or an experience that first interested you in serving, make sure to include it
- Experiences that speak to your sense of discipline, teamwork, leadership, and responsibility – Serving in the military takes an extraordinary amount of each of these qualities. Try asking your family and friends for accomplishments or experiences that serve as testaments to your strengths and prepare anecdotes for your essays
- Ambitions for your future in the military – One great way to show your commitment to the military is to demonstrate that you have already thought out a future for yourself. Think about what part of the military you’d like to serve in and what you’d like to bring to the table, and include this information in your essays
Writing your application essays
Essays are a huge component of the scholarship process, and they require a unique style of writing in order to succeed. Check out our guide on how to write a winning scholarship essay to get started. We also have guides on how to start a scholarship essay, how to write about yourself, and how to tailor your writing to a 250 or 500 word limit. Good luck!
Also see: What are American Military Universities?
Resources for ROTC students
American Military Academies
Our guide to American Military Academies can help you decide whether a military academy is a good fit for your future career goals. We’ll also walk you through how easy it is to get into each one, and the different types of academies. We also have a guide to help you get into West Point, arguably the most competitive American Military Academy.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
Students who go on to serve in the military are often eligible for PSLF, or Public Service Loan Forgiveness. If you are sure that you want a career in the military post-graduation, check out our guide to the program to find out how you can take advantage of it.
FAFSA guide
One of your first steps when it comes to paying for college should always be to fill out the FAFSA. Even if you don’t think you’ll qualify for any need-based aid, it’s worth a shot. You’ll at least be able to take out federal loans, which are more favorable than most private loans.
GoArmy Scholarships
The GoArmy website contains a highly detailed guide on the scholarships they offer and their requirements. This should be one of your first stops when looking for ROTC scholarships – if one of these works out, you may not have to apply for any others!
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to make a service commitment to earn an army scholarship?
Some of these scholarships, including the ones provided directly by the government, do require a service commitment. The length of these service commitments will vary based on the scholarship. If a student decides that they no longer see a career for themself in the army, they will not be forced to go, but will have to pay back the scholarship money, which can be financially devastating.
So, it’s a good idea to be 100% sure of your decision before you take ROTC scholarship money that comes with a service commitment.
Do I have to complete JROTC to get an ROTC scholarship?
JROTC is a great way to get a leg-up on ROTC scholarships, as it shows a history of commitment to the program. It also demonstrates that you have been completing similar coursework already and have found success in it. That being said, it is not a firm requirement. Many students who did not attend JROTC programs end up receiving ROTC scholarships.
If you are not in JROTC but hope to earn ROTC scholarships, it’s a good idea to try and enroll in some extracurriculars that could be applicable to a future career in the ROTC. This will help compensate for a relative lack of experience.
Do ROTC students have to pay for college?
Although many ROTC students receive generous scholarships from a combination of federal and private sources, most still have to pay for college. Students at the most competitive colleges such as West Point, however, do receive full scholarships.
Additional scholarship categories to explore
- Top scholarships for high school seniors
- Top community service scholarships
- Easy scholarships to apply for
- Top scholarships for women
- Top scholarships for veterans
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