Scholarships
You are eligible if you are a high school student enrolling in college, a student currently enrolled in college, or an Active Duty enlisted Soldier. Four-year, three-year, and two-year scholarships are available in multiple forms from multiple funding sources. Scholarship extension requests are possible if you are a STEM major on an approved 4.5- or 5-year degree plan.
The military often uses complex and intimidating terminology, making the ROTC scholarship process seem intimidating and unattainable. Please use this page as a reference to simplify the process. A scholarship is realistic and attainable for you.
Applying for ROTC scholarships does not legally bind you to any contract for future military service. You can be accepted for an ROTC scholarship and later turn it down.
Accepting a ROTC scholarship does legally bind you to commission upon graduation as an Army Commissioned Officer.
Table of Contents
- What is an ROTC scholarship?
- For High School Students, Parents, Guardians, and Key Adult Figures
- For Current Undergraduate College Students and Starting Graduate/Postgraduate Students
- The Value of a Greyhound Scholarship
- Example Scholarship Payout at Loyola University Maryland
- Green-to-Gold Applicants
- How to Apply
What is an ROTC scholarship?
ROTC scholarships are awarded based on merit and not on financial need. Approximately half of our enrolled students are on scholarship. Some of our students applied for ROTC scholarships during high school while others received them in college. Once you enroll in ROTC, you may be eligible for one.
The most important areas of consideration for applicants are cumulative unweighted GPA, the results of your Army scholarship physical fitness test, participation in varsity sports and clubs, and a potential for leadership. If you perform well in class, meet the Army fitness standards, and show the determination and motivation to lead, you could be our next scholarship winner.
Did you know?
The #1 reason why ROTC students are not on scholarship is not because they did not
qualify, but because they did not apply early enough for them.
ROTC Scholarship Eligibility Requirements
- Be a U.S. citizen.
- Be at least 17 and under 31 in the year of commissioning (college graduation).
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent.
- Have an unweighted high school GPA of at least 2.50 if you’re in high school while applying.
- Have taken the SAT or ACT (no minimum score).
- Pass the Army Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA), then the Army Fitness Test (AFT) upon contract completion.
- Meet the physical weight and height requirements.
- Agree to accept a commission and serve in the Army, Army Reserve, or Army National Guard.
For High School Students, Parents, Guardians, and Key Adult Figures
National ROTC Scholarship
We always recommend that you start your ROTC journey in high school by researching the National ROTC scholarship. The national scholarship offers the highest monetary value and does not lock the applicant into a specific Army component upon graduation. It is the most flexible option for a post-graduation career, whether that is as a full-time Commissioned Officer on Active Duty in the Army or part-time as a Commissioned Officer in the National Guard or Army Reserve while you pursue graduate and postgraduate education or a civilian career path.
When you apply for these scholarships, you may be awarded 4-year, 3-year, or 2-year coverage based on your competitiveness nationally.
These scholarship pages often use complex military acronyms that are prohibitive to readers. Some professionals may refer to these National ROTC scholarships using the term, "Advanced Designee" scholarships. You may see the acronyms, "4AD", "3AD", and "2AD", which refer to four-, three-, and two-year National ROTC scholarships.
If you are a parent with a high school student approaching the end of their junior year of high school (11th grade), please apply for the National Scholarship before the start of their senior year.
High School applicants, click here to apply for the National ROTC Scholarship.
These are the general National Scholarship deadlines each year:
- National Scholarship Early Application: June immediately after the junior year of high school.
- Round 1 Acceptances: October of the senior year of high school.
- Round 2 Acceptances: January of the senior year of high school.
- Round 3 Acceptances: March of the senior year of high school.
- Applications can be submitted as late as the beginning of March for Round 3 consideration, but you should submit them as soon as possible.
Do not self-select yourself out of the scholarship; it is possible and realistic for you. Please get your college tuition covered and graduate with a $0 balance.
The process is similar to a college application (e.g., providing high school transcripts, test scores, and personal essays). You must also complete a fitness test, which can be conducted at your high school with your teacher, and be interviewed by the Chair of the Department of Military Science (Professor of Military Science) at the Greyhound Battalion.
If you are applying to be a nurse, you will receive special consideration during the National ROTC scholarship process.
Even if our university is not your #1 choice, we are still happy to sit down with you and your family to discuss the National ROTC scholarship application process. Please feel free to contact us and drop by our offices.
Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty (GRFD) Scholarships (National Guard and Army Reserve)
If you know you want to serve part-time as an Army Officer after college graduation, we also recommend apply for the National Guard or Army Reserve Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty (GRFD) scholarships starting at the end of your junior year of high school (11th grade).
These scholarship pages often use complex military acronyms that are prohibitive to readers. Some professionals may refer to these part-time service ROTC scholarships using the terms, "GRFD" and "Minuteman".
GRFD scholarships are two separate scholarship processes provided by two separate Army components. The only difference is whether you will serve part-time in the National Guard or Army Reserve after graduation if you choose to accept these scholarships (very similar experience):
Applying for a GRFD scholarship does not legally bind you to serve in the military after college graduation, or on part-time military status in the National Guard or Army Reserve.
Accepting a GRFD scholarship will legally bind you to serve as a Commissioned Officer in the National Guard or Army Reserve, dependent on which scholarship you accepted.
This option may be enticing to students who know they want to pursue graduate and
postgraduate studies after receiving their baccalaureate degree, or wish to pursue
a specific civilian career path. Accepting one of these two scholarships guarantees that you will not serve full-time on Active Duty in the Army after graduation.
The National Guard and Army Reserve are similar part-time military obligations. Each
offers inconsequential differences in job and location availability, but in general,
you will be able to select the state in which you want to serve in the military job
you want after graduation. National Guard and Army Reserve Officers attend "drill"
one weekend a month and two continuous weeks a year.
The requirements for GRFD scholarships vary slightly year over year, but generally resemble the national ROTC scholarship requirements listed previously. They are generally much less competitive than National ROTC scholarships, and have a high acceptance rate.
The bottom line is that if you qualify for the National ROTC scholarship, you should also apply for these two scholarships. Each scholarship draws from a different source of funding and has a set target goal for awards each year. Just because you do not receive an ROTC scholarship from one source does not mean you will not receive one from another source.
What is the high school ROTC scholarship Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA)?
The Army Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA) for high school students applying for ROTC scholarships comprises three events:
- Push Ups (1 minute): This is a timed event to perform as many push-ups as possible in one minute. This event can be conducted either indoors or outdoors. To begin, the student will assume a normal push-up position, placing the hands where comfortable. When viewed from the side, the body should form a generally straight line from the shoulders to the ankles. The student will start in the up position and begin the push-up by bending the elbows and lowering body as a single unit until the upper arms are at least parallel (90-degrees) to the ground. Then, return to the starting position by raising the entire body until the arms are fully extended. The student may not rest on the floor. If the student fails to keep the body generally straight, fails to lower the whole body until the upper arms are at least parallel to the ground, or fails to extend the arms completely, that repetition will not count. When resting, the student may sag in the middle, or flex the back. When flexing the back, the knees may be bent, but not to such an extent that the student is supporting most of the body weight with the legs.
- Modified Sit-Ups (1 minute): This is a timed event to do as many sit-ups as possible in one-minute. This event can be conducted either indoors or outdoors. On a flat surface, the student will lie flat on their back with shoulder blades touching the ground, knees bent, and both feet flat on the ground. Arms will be folded across the chest or rib cage. The hands must be in constant contact with the upper arm between the elbow and shoulder. Thumbs may be wrapped around the upper arm or together with the rest of the hand on top of the upper arm. A single repetition consists of raising the upper body from the starting position with shoulder blades touching the ground until both forearms or elbows simultaneously extend out to touch the upper thighs, while hands remain on the biceps, and then return to the starting position with the shoulder blades touching the ground. No arching of the lower back or lifting of the buttocks is permitted. An assistant may be used to hold the student’s feet.
- One-Mile Run: This is a timed event to run one mile as fast as possible. This event can be conducted either indoors or outdoors. Running this event on a treadmill is not authorized. The run course will be one mile exactly and set over reasonably level ground. The course should be an “out and back” course, or a wide-loop course. The run course should not include numerous sharp turns that would force a student to slow down excessively to remain on the course.
The results of the Army Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA) are recorded on the form, The ROTC Scholarship Physical Fitness Assessment Scorecard, USACC Form 145-1-1.
As a high school student, I'm not sure if I want to do ROTC. Can I come visit?
Yes. You and your family can participate in any of our classroom lectures, physical training labs, leadership labs, or command and staff simulation labs, provided that you coordinate with our team ahead of time (classroom sears may be limited). We take great pride in our Greyhound faculty as world-class lecturers, and we always welcome guest participants. We regularly host high school student guests, our doors are always open, and we will coordinate for free parking for you.
Please contact our team in advance and get approval from your high school teachers prior to participating.
For university and ROTC legal liability reasons, if you wish to participate in any of our workouts or leadership labs, you must have a completed Medical Fitness Statement for Enrollment (DA Form 3425-R) signed by your medical physical, verifying that they "find no medical condition or physical impairment that precludes your participation in ROTC, a program no more physically strenuous than a normal college physical education program."
We ask that parents do not participate in our physical workouts, as we cannot legally cover this participation. However, parents can observe these events.
Medical Fitness Statement for Enrollment in ROTC, DA Form 3425-R, April 2023
For Current Undergraduate College Students and Starting Graduate/Postgraduate Students
Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty (GRFD) Scholarships (National Guard and Army Reserve)
Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty scholarships continue to be available to you to apply for throughout your college career.
As an undergraduate college student, please continue to apply for scholarships up until the end of your sophomore year. As a graduate student, please apply for scholarships before the start of your last two-years of study.
These scholarship pages often use complex military acronyms that are prohibitive to readers. Some professionals may refer to these part-time service ROTC scholarships using the terms, "GRFD" and "Minuteman".
GRFD scholarships are two separate scholarship processes provided by two separate Army components. The only difference is whether you will serve part-time in the National Guard or Army Reserve after graduation if you choose to accept these scholarships (very similar experience):
"Line" Scholarships
"Line" scholarships refer to 3-year, 2.5-year, and 2-year scholarships offered by the U.S. Army Cadet Command through internal communications from headquarters to each individual ROTC program, based on semester-based federal budget availability. These scholarships are automatically available to all currently enrolled ROTC students who are in a non-contracted status.
These scholarships mirror the same conditions as the National ROTC scholarship: Cadets who accept these scholarships have flexibility to choose whether to commission onto Active Duty, into the National Guard, or into the Army Reserve, based on personal preference.
The availability of these scholarships is unpredictable, and there is no application process for them. Every semester, our faculty will monitor scholarship communications from our headquarters and assess their ROTC class cohort performance based on an Order of Merit List (OML).
When "line" scholarships are published, our faculty will conduct all necessary preparation to submit competitive Order of Merit non-contracted ROTC students into the application pool. Key points of performance are always cumulative college GPA and the highest Army Fitness Test (AFT) score posted by the student during ROTC.
At times, students may be asked to compete against arbitrary annual measures of performance dictated by the U.S. Army Cadet Command, such as a 6- or 12-mile timed ruck march with 35 pounds in a backpack, or a 4- or 5-mile timed unweighted run. At times, ROTC students' major may be considered, with STEM majors being weighted on a heavier scale.
Applicant information will be submitted to the U.S. Army Cadet Command, where information will be inputted into a national Excel spreadsheet, and sorted based on the above quantitative performance points. Based on semesterly federal funding availability, the U.S. Army Cadet Command will determine a cut "line" across the spreadsheet, awarding 3-, or 2-year "line" scholarships to all Cadets who are above the cut "line". This is a continuous process throughout ROTC; you will be informed when this opportunity arises by your ROTC instructor.
What is the ROTC scholarship Army Fitness Test (AFT) for college students?
The Army Fitness Test (AFT) is the same fitness test taken by ROTC students at the beginning and end of each college semester. It can be taken with the Greyhound Battalion at least twice a semester. It is comprised of five events:
- 3-Repetition Maximum Deadlift (MDL): Lift the maximum weight possible three times using a 60-pound hex trap bar and barbell plates.
- Hand-Release Push-Ups (HRP): Complete as many hand-release push-ups as possible in two minutes, using the proper technique.
- Spring-Drag-Carry (SDC): Do five 50-meter shuttles (sprint, drag, lateral, carry, spring) as fast as possible using two 40-pound kettlebells, and a 90-pound sled.
- Plank (PLK): Maintain a proper plank position for as long as possible.
- Two-Mile Run (2MR): Run two miles on a generally flat outdoor course while being timed.
Click here for a detailed description of the Army Fitness Test (AFT) and its scoring scale.
The Value of a Greyhound Scholarship
Army ROTC Scholarships cover the full cost of tuition and fees, regardless of adjusted costs per fiscal year. Annual benefits include a monthly stipend of $420 for 10 months out of each year, and $600 in book money each semester, both paid directly to the student.
The Greyhound Battalion is unique amongst other ROTC programs in the nation, whom ordinarily only cover either tuition or room and board. Our program's scholarship Return on Investment (ROI) exceeds most ROTC programs nationally. Dollar-for-dollar, an ROTC scholarship at the Greyhound Battalion along costs offset by our special endowed funds, will go farther—or at least equal—the highest coverage provided by any ROTC programs in the nation.
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Total value of an Army ROTC scholarship at our universities. All annual fiscal increases to university tuition and fees are covered at 100%. |
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|---|---|---|---|
| university tuition and fees | 4-year | 3-year | 2-year |
| Loyola University Maryland | $279,700 | $220,825 | $139,850 |
| Towson University (In State) | $64,872 | $48,654 | $32,436 |
| Towson University (Out of State) | $128,880 | $96,660 | $64,440 |
| Notre Dame of Maryland University | $180,580 | $135,435 | $90,290 |
| Goucher College | $218,480 | $163,860 | $109,240 |
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Total Additional Stipend, All Universities $420 paid to the student monthly for 10 months out of each year. |
$16,800 | $12,600 | $8,400 |
|
Total Additional Book Money, All Universities $600 paid to the student once each semester. |
$4,800 | $3,600 | $2,400 |
Example Scholarship Payout at Loyola University Maryland
The following chart lists the value of an ROTC at Loyola University Maryland. The value proposition of an ROTC scholarship in the Greyhound Battalion is unique amongst the nation. Loyola University Maryland and the Greyhound Battalion use several endowed funds to further offset the cost of college attendance for scholarship recipients, making an ROTC scholarship at the Greyhound Battalion more competitive than most ROTC programs in the nation.
In total, the only costs not covered for scholarship students are a university meal plan and a parking pass. If an ROTC scholarship used their stipend to offset these costs, selected the most expensive meal plan across eight total semesters ($3,495 per semester), and purchased the most expensive parking passes during all authorized semesters ($500 per semester), their uncovered cost of college attendance would be approximately $12,660 over four years, or $3,165 annually. This figure is roughly consistent with Consumer Price Index–based estimates of grocery expenditures for an average college student in Maryland.
| Example of rotc scholarship payout at Loyola university maryland. | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| categories of payment | 4-year | 3-year | 2-year |
| Total Tuition and all Miscellaneous Fees Across All Years | $279,700 | $220,825 | $139,850 |
| Loyola University Maryland additionally covers 100% of room and board for ROTC scholarship students through endowed funds as a courtesy. | $52,680 | $39,510 | $26,340 |
| Total Stipend Payments Across All Years | $16,800 | $12,600 | $8,400 |
| Total Book Money Payments Across All Years | $4,800 | $3,600 | $2,400 |
| TOTAL VALUE | $353,980 | $276,535 | $176,990 |
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NOTE: THIS DOES NOT ACCOUNT FOR THE EQUIPMENT, DUTY UNIFORMS, DRESS UNIFORMS, SUPPLIES, PRINT COSTS, CATERING COSTS, TRAVEL COSTS, AND ASSORTED TEST FEES PROVIDED TO ALL CADETS AT NO CHARGE BY THE GREYHOUND BATTALION. THE GREYHOUND BATTALION ENDOWED FUND AND CADET FUND ENSURE THAT GREYHOUND CADETS RECEIVE UNIQUE MONETARY SUPPORT TO MAXIMIZE ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL SUCCESS. |
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I just got accepted for a Green-to-Gold scholarship as an Active Duty enlisted Soldier. Should I come to the Greyhound Battalion? Is the campus military-friendly?
Yes. Our Battalion has a long history of commissioning quality Commissioned Officers through the Green-to-Gold program. Green-to-Gold Soldiers can join the Greyhound Battalion as either an undergraduate or graduate student.
Our universities and their undergraduate and graduate schools are very military-friendly. As one of the first ROTC programs in the nation, Loyola University Maryland has a rich military and veterans history with institutional connections all the way back to World War 2. You will receive specialized student support to ensure professional and personal success. The local region is also very military-friendly and safe for you and your family.
How to Apply
If you are a high school student, a parent, guardian, or key adult figure, or current college student interested in trying ROTC and competing for a scholarship, feel free to contact our team anytime using the information located on our Contact Us bar.
You can also apply to any of these scholarships without ever speaking to us.
Please feel free to drop by our offices anytime between 9AM to 5PM on Mondays through Fridays if you ever have any questions. We are happy to personally sit down with you and your family.
Contact Us
LTC Evan Westgate
Professor of Military Science
ewestgate@loyola.edu
MSG Gene Zhang
Senior Military Science Instructor
gyzhang@loyola.edu
For questions about joining ROTC:
CPT John Smith
Recruiting Operations Officer
jsmith30@loyola.edu
(410) 617-5179
300 Radnor (Main Office)
Early House (Operations Office)
Cadet Command Website NATIONAL ROTC SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINES (HIGH SCHOOL APPLICANTS) ARMY NATIONAL GUARD SCHOLARSHIPS ARMY RESERVE SCHOLARSHIPS