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Top 33 ROTC Scholarships in June 2023
The Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) makes it possible for college students to earn their degree while training to become commissioned officers in the United States Military. If this is you, there are so many resources, including ROTC Scholarships, that can help you to get through college with relative financial ease!
If you are looking to serve in the United States military as a college-educated officer, keep on reading to learn about the top ROTC scholarships.
Jump ahead to…
- Top ROTC scholarships
- How to win ROTC scholarships
- Resources for ROTC students
- Frequently asked questions
- Additional scholarship categories to explore
Top 26 ROTC Scholarships in June 2023
The Scholarships360 Research Team reviews all scholarships individually and strives to exclude any scholarship where any of the below applies:
- The scholarship requires a fee to apply
- The scholarship provider’s privacy policy allows for the misuse of student data
- The scholarship requires paid membership in an organization (with certain exceptions for reputable trade organizations and others)
- Student are required to sign up for a site or service to apply*
- The scholarship seems primarily used for lead generation** or idea harvesting purposes***
- The scholarship website has many grammatical errors and/or advertisements
- The scholarship or scholarship providing organization seem untrustworthy
- There is no evidence the scholarship was previously awarded
- The scholarship has not been awarded in the past 12 months
- There is no available contact information
If you believe a scholarship has been published in error, please reach out to [email protected] and we’ll take a look!
* There are certain exceptions to this, for example if the sponsoring organization is a major corporation or nonprofit with its own scholarship application system.
** Lead generation scholarships will require students to sign up for an app or website and require minimal (if any) application requirements.
***Idea harvesting scholarships will require students to submit blog posts or other materials that companies may use for marketing purposes.
$10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship
The Scholarships360 $10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship is open to all students who want some extra help paying for their education. Whether you are a high school student who hopes to…
Show More$2,000 Nitro College Scholarship – No Essay
Easy scholarship from Nitro College open to all high school, college, community and graduate students.
Niche $15,000 No Essay Scholarship
Open to all high school and college students, as well as anyone looking to attend college or graduate school in the next year.
Allied.com Military Scholarship Competition
Are you a current or former active duty military member (or their dependent) majoring in logistics or an equivalent field? If so, consider applying for the Allied.com Military Scholarship Competition!…
Show MoreNavy ROTC Scholarship
Are you a high school senior or college freshman interested in attending an NROTC Affiliated university? If so, consider applying for the Navy ROTC Scholarship! The scholarship is open to…
Show MoreArmy ROTC Study.com Scholarship
The Army ROTC Study.com Scholarship wants to recognize students who have the dedication and strength of character necessary to be successful in the competitive ROTC program. Selection will be based…
Show MoreProject GO Scholarship
Are you an ROTC student who wants to improve your language skills, regional expertise, and intercultural communication skills? If so, consider applying for the Project GO Scholarship! The Project GO…
Show MoreArmy ROTC High School Scholarships
Are you a high school junior or senior interested in joining the Army after college? If so, consider applying for the Army ROTC High School Scholarships! The scholarship is open…
Show MoreThe HotelPlanner.com Graduate Technology Scholarship For Military Veterans
Are you a veteran of the U.S. military, or the spouse/partner or child of one? Further, do you have plans to pursue a degree related to technology? If both apply,…
Show MoreColonel Kathleen Swacina Scholarship
Are you a female college student pursuing a STEM major who has served in the U.S. armed forces or are enrolled in an ROTC program? If so, you may be…
Show MoreArmed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (ACFEA) War Veterans Scholarship
The Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (ACFEA) War Veterans Scholarship is funded by the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (ACFEA), an international organization striving to be the premier…
Show MoreVADM Jon L. Boyes Scholarship
The Dr. Jon L. Boyes, VADM, USN (Ret.) Memorial Scholarship has been established to honor Vice Admiral Boyes' memory and accomplishments. One scholarship will be awarded annually to a deserving…
Show MoreROTC Scholarship Program
The ROTC Scholarship Program offers awards to Army, Navy (including Marine Corps option) or Air Force ROTC students. Applicants must be enrolled full-time in a degree major that is related…
Show MoreAFCEA Joan Bowden ROTC Scholarship
The AFCEA Joan Bowden ROTC Scholarship is presented annually to an ROTC student attending a university located in the AFCEA Mid-South Region of the United States. This includes the states…
Show MoreAFCEA Mort Marks ROTC Scholarship
The AFCEA Mort Marks ROTC Scholarship is an incredible opportunity for Navy or Marine Corps ROTC students attending a university in the AFCEA Mid-South Region. This includes the states of:…
Show MoreAmerican Legion Colonel Frederick B. Bowling, JROTC Cadet of the Year
The American Legion Colonel Frederick B. Bowling, JROTC Cadet of the Year scholarship is an exclusive opportunity for Tennessee JROTC cadets who have been awarded with The American Legion General…
Show MoreFRA Education Foundation Scholarships
Are you related to or are a member of the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard pursuing a degree? If so, consider applying for the FRA Education Foundation Scholarships!…
Show MoreArmy ROTC College Scholarships
Are you a current college student interested in joining the Army after college? If so, consider applying for the Army ROTC College Scholarships! The scholarships are open to current college…
Show MoreMarine Corps Undergraduate & Associate Degree Scholarship
Are you the child of a current or fallen Marine Corps member (either on Active Duty, in Reserve, or as a veteran)? Further, are you currently or planning to pursue…
Show MoreEthyl and Armin Wiebke Memorial Scholarship
Ethyl and Armin Wiebke Memorial Scholarship applicants must (1) have served, or be currently serving in the United States Marine Corps or Reserve, (2) be a direct descendant by blood,…
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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.
