Questions about ARNG, SMP, Scholarships, etc.

[e2ekiel]

Hi everyone, thanks in advance for reading.

I'm joining the Army National Guard, and if all goes as planned, my AIT will end around May. After that I will be attending UC Davis, and I want to join ROTC. To my understanding, the application for ROTC scholarships opens on February 1st, so I'll have to apply when I can during AIT, correct?

And, I'm not entirely sure on the differences between the different scholarships, GRFD seems to be the one that is perfect for my situation, but is there a 4 year scholarship for it? And how competitive is it? And are you able to get this scholarship as a freshman?

I apologize for so many questions, and any stupidity, just looking for some answers, thanks!

 

[clarksonarmy]

You can convert a 4 year scholarship to a GRFD scholarship after the first year. If you don't get a 4 year scholarship when you apply you should go to school, enroll in ROTC, and compete for a GRFD scholarship. You won't apply until your Battalion tells you they are ready to hold their internal board, and it may or may not be a formal application. If you are planning to attend school next fall, you should have already applied for the high school scholarship. If you wait till February you will be too late.

 

[sjbd94]

if your want to 100% go into the guard or reserves once you graduate then the GRFD scholarsship is perfect for you. According to what I have heard at my school they can give those things out like candy so if you for sure want that then do as clark said.

 

[khergan]

It really just depends if you want to remain in the guard after commissioning or not. GRFD will give you easy money, but will ensure that you are removed from the competition to get an AD slot.


If you want to stay guard, GRFD is clearly the way to go. Just don't sign it until you are 100% sure you want to stay in the guard rather than trying to go for active.