SMP cadets receive the same commission as every ROTC cadet. As long as you do not accept the GRFD Scholarship you would still (At this point) be able to compete for Active Duty will all cadets.
Remember, there is no application process for a scholarship once you start school, if the Battalion has any scholarships to offer they will be given based on the cadets standing on the battalion OML.
You can join the Reserve/NG your first year if you like, you would not be considered a SMP cadet until you contract the start of your sophomore year at the earliest, it sometimes takes longer to contract and it's not a guarantee, you would be competing for a contract with all non scholarship cadets. If for some reason you are not offered a contract you will still be obligated to your Reserve/NG contract as an enlisted soldier, make sure you understand that.
Consider this as well, Battalions have a very limited number of scholarship money to give out, if you are already on SMP and they can give you a contract, there is not much incentive on their part to give you a scholarship. They will often give the scholarship to a non scholarship cadet that has not enlisted in the Reserve/NG. You would have already made a commitment so in a sense that already have you hooked, no need to give a scholarship to keep you.
Make sure you discuss all of this with the Cadre at your ROTC Battalion before you enlist or sign any papers, they will be able to tell you all your options and what will work best for you.
