The NROTC Preparatory Program (NPP) Scholarship

NJROTC-CC

Member
Joined
May 6, 2019
Messages
2,574
Has anyone heard of this scholarship? I understand it is relatively new, and that it works similar to NAPS. Certain participating schools offer a one year prep. scholarship and if the prep. year is successfully completed, a 4 year NROTC scholarship is automatically awarded. Schools that are presently participating on listed on the USN ROTC web page and include Notre Dame, Norwich, University of Arizona and others.
 
That is interesting. I have never heard of this program. Do you know if this is the first year? I found more information here:
https://www.public.navy.mil/netc/ns...OTC Prep Program Scholarship Reservations.pdf

I don’t know how many years it has been in existence. I heard from a high school NJROTC senior instructor that it is a program started by the Navy to stop losing out on high school students who are outstanding leaders but may not have grades to get a 4 yr NROTC scholarship. He said it is fairly new.
 
Interesting. But what is: "The NPP is a 5-year education program, where a student attends a University’s Preparatory Program for the first year and then earns a 4-year degree" I've never heard of universities having a prep program, outside of the academies.
 
It’s dated April 2019. After reading the entire document appears to be new. It seems the Navy is dangling a carrot to allow more scholarships (1/3 additional of their scholarship limit) for schools who do this. So if a school normally has 9 4 year slots a year, then they get 3 additional. Be interesting to see what schools decide to do this. The order isn’t clear, but also seems the PMS has some discretion in recommending who will get these, but I could of read that wrong. Also I took it that the student would attend NROTC courses while in the prep program so that tells me the prep school would be local to the school? Maybe I read that wrong. The Navy also isn’t paying for this prep year, seems the burden is back on the school or some other source (guessing the Midn Candidate). Should be interesting if this takes off.guessing Norte Dame partners with St Mary’s? Norwich... many prep schools in that area. U of AZ... probably an option or two.
 
Notre Dame partners with Holy Cross (where Rudy Ruttiger went before getting into Notre Dame). 5 yrs to get a Notre Dame degree means an extra year of football games. What a bonus!!

The key language in the Navy Memorandum is:

"Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) Area Managers (AM) and
SNSIs will publicize and encourage qualified students to apply to Preparatory Programs at Universities affiliated with a NROTC Unit."

Apparently, the Navy is looking for outstanding high school NJROTC cadets with strong leadership but who may need some prep work before college because it considers NJROTC an underutilized resource for finding strong candidates for college NROTC. At least that is what my DS's SNSI told me.
 
Last edited:
Have to believe a student who isn’t in JNROTC has a shot too. Pretty limiting factor as if you really look at total schools with the program vs those without it is pretty small. Be curious to see if the program really gains roots.
 
As I read the document, it seems to be primarily geared towards NJROTC students, but not limited to them. It will be interesting to see how this develops and how many schools get on board with prep programs. It could be a good opportunity for students who show excellent promise as leaders, but need to strengthen their academic skills.
 
Have to believe a student who isn’t in JNROTC has a shot too. Pretty limiting factor as if you really look at total schools with the program vs those without it is pretty small. Be curious to see if the program really gains roots.

Just for the heck of it, I took at look at the application for the University of Maine's NPP NROTC prep program (which they call the "PTN" Pathways to NROTC.) The only recommendation form that they have is to be completed specifically by the NJROTC SNSI. Also, in their application checklist, one of the items listed is a full body photograph of the applicant in their NJROTC uniform. Notre Dame's web page says the program is "A pilot program to provide a Naval commissioning (ROTC) opportunity for highly motivated and exceptional NJROTC cadets."

So, it appears that this program is focused on finding exceptional NJROTC students who need a prep year, but who have the potential to make good naval officers. It looks like a Tier 1 or Tier 2 major is required at all participating schools that I looked at.
 
Last edited:
Notre Dame partners with Holy Cross (where Rudy Ruttiger went before getting into Notre Dame). 5 yrs to get a Notre Dame degree means an extra year of football games. What a bonus!!

The key language in the Navy Memorandum is:

"Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) Area Managers (AM) and
SNSIs will publicize and encourage qualified students to apply to Preparatory Programs at Universities affiliated with a NROTC Unit."

Apparently, the Navy is looking for outstanding high school NJROTC cadets with strong leadership but who may need some prep work before college because it considers NJROTC an underutilized resource for finding strong candidates for college NROTC. At least that is what my DS's SNSI told me.
Notre Dame partners with St Mary's. It's on their website...plus I have first hand experience.
 
My son just got this scholarship. He was going for the full rotc scholarship but was a little nervous he wouldn't get it. The commanding officer at UMaine called my son's NJROTC commander and told him about this new scholarship and asked if he had anyone. My son was the XO and probably could have gotten the full scholarship but didn't want to chance it with a 3.4 gpa. His Captain recommended he go for it and helped him get it. They also think if he doubles up on some stuff (he was in all AP classes) he could still finish in 4 years. So far it seems like a great program and we are excited to see how it goes.
 
My son just got this scholarship. He was going for the full rotc scholarship but was a little nervous he wouldn't get it. The commanding officer at UMaine called my son's NJROTC commander and told him about this new scholarship and asked if he had anyone. My son was the XO and probably could have gotten the full scholarship but didn't want to chance it with a 3.4 gpa. His Captain recommended he go for it and helped him get it. They also think if he doubles up on some stuff (he was in all AP classes) he could still finish in 4 years. So far it seems like a great program and we are excited to see how it goes.

I’m curious about this program. Did you son receive it for fall ‘19? Or ‘20? I wonder if an applicant can still apply for NROTC still, even though they have been awarded this new program.

Congrats to you son!! I’m excited to see how this all works, and if other branches will begin to offer similar programs.
 
My son just got this scholarship. He was going for the full rotc scholarship but was a little nervous he wouldn't get it. The commanding officer at UMaine called my son's NJROTC commander and told him about this new scholarship and asked if he had anyone. My son was the XO and probably could have gotten the full scholarship but didn't want to chance it with a 3.4 gpa. His Captain recommended he go for it and helped him get it. They also think if he doubles up on some stuff (he was in all AP classes) he could still finish in 4 years. So far it seems like a great program and we are excited to see how it goes.

I’m curious about this program. Did you son receive it for fall ‘19? Or ‘20? I wonder if an applicant can still apply for NROTC still, even though they have been awarded this new program.

Congrats to you son!! I’m excited to see how this all works, and if other branches will begin to offer similar programs.

He got it for the fall '19. He had to withdraw his ROTC scholarship application in order to go for this one. And he had to give them an answer very early regarding if he would accept it (like back in March). He will be participating fully in the NROTC program at UMaine including going to the Great Lakes in the first session.
 
He got it for the fall '19. He had to withdraw his ROTC scholarship application in order to go for this one. And he had to give them an answer very early regarding if he would accept it (like back in March). He will be participating fully in the NROTC program at UMaine including going to the Great Lakes in the first session.

Curious. The Maine Maritime Academy is the host school and U Maine is the “cross town affiliate”. I think I read that they will provide transportation from U Maine to MMA If they need to go to MMA for any NROTC activities.
 
Yes it says most stuff will be done at Umaine but they may need to go over to MMA once in awhile. My son will have a car up there anyway so not a big deal.
 
Too bad a kid can’t apply to both a four year National NROTC scholarship and the NPP at the same time as a Plan B. I think if a kid is close to getting to getting a four year national scholarship, They would be a strong candidate to enroll in a non-scholarship “college program” And earn a three or 3 1/2 year scholarship based on performance. We will have to consider all of this when DS applies in two years. But an extra year of college is GREAT in my personal opinion. Best years of my life.
 
Back
Top