The primary source of Army ROTC scholarships is the National ROTC Scholarship Program. These scholarships are awarded to high school seniors during their senior year of high school. The dates vary slightly each year, but scholarships are generally awarded at scholarship boards run by the Army in mid-October, mid-January, and mid-March.
If you have questions about the process, or about the Radford Army ROTC program, please call us at 540-831-5288 or email our Scholarship and Enrollment Officer at arotc@radford.edu.
If you didn't win, or compete for a National ROTC scholarship, campus based scholarships are for you. Cadets in the program can compete for available 1-3 year scholarships. Competing Cadets submit a scholarship application to their ROTC instructor or Recruiting Operations Officer (ROO), conduct a scholarship board interview with members of the ROTC cadre.
Cadet's board score are combined with scores based on their collegiate GPA, physical fitness test results, and any other factors directed by our Professor of Military Science (PMS) to generate an order of merit list (OML) score. Generally, Cadets with the highest OML score are awarded the campus based scholarship. Cadets can apply for a campus based scholarship by filling out an application from their ROO or ROTC instructor.
Scholarships are awarded based on merit, not on financial need. Additionally ROTC scholarships can stack and compliment other scholarships or programs. For example an ROTC scholarship could be used for room and board while the eligible student uses their parent's Post 9-11 GI Bill, or other scholarship program for Tuition and fees.
In-state scholarships: Pays full in-state tuition for a public university, and (most) fees OR $6,000 per semester room and board. $1,200 annual book stipend, and a $420 per month (10 months of the year) stipend to defer expenses.
Out-of-State Scholarships: Pays full Out-of-state tuition for a public university, and (most) fees OR $6,000 per semester room and board. $1,200 annual book stipend, $420 per month (10 months of the year) stipend to defer expenses.
High school freshmen - Juniors: Don't wait to prepare yourself for a ROTC National Scholarship
Prepare yourself now for success in obtaining a National Scholarship! The winners of ROTC National Scholarships don't win by accident. They apply themselves to success in the 3 major areas looked at in the National Scholarship Whole Person Concept (WPC): Scholar, Athlete, Leader (SAL). In order to maximize your chances of winning a ROTC National Scholarship, you need to earn points in each of these important areas:
Primarily reflected in your high school GPA. The higher the better! High school GPA is one of the best indicators that you will succeed in college. Acceptance into the HS National Honor Society is another indicator.
Take part in athletics each year (freshman - junior year). Showing a "track record" in a sport is better a sporadic sampling of sports. (Stick with a sport for all three years preferably. Distinguish yourself from your peers by earning the title of team captain in those sports.
Demonstrate and develop your leadership skills through serving in an elected position in a school, church, or community organization. The more the better. Other organizational recognition such as Eagle Scout in Scouting America or Gold Award in the Girl Scouts of America also demonstrate leadership, and should definitely be listed on your application.
Our Recruiting Operations Officer (ROO) Brian Francis would be happy to speak to you about how to maximize your chance to earn a ROTC National Scholarship regardless of what year you are in high school. Give him a call at 540-831-6646 or email bafrancis@radford.edu