The only online application we could find was a 4 year one for high school students. My son wants to apply this year for his upcoming Sophomore year in College. The cadre at his school suggested he apply through the SMP, which he would prefer not to do. Does anyone know exactly where the application for 3 year can be found? THANKS! : )
Exactly how does a college freshman apply for an Army ROTC 3 year scholarship?
- Thread starter keysmom
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Take this with a grain of salt however I believe you don’t create an application yourself, instead you have to talk with your detachment/cadre and they handle it. Perhaps they recommended SMP as he is not competitive or eligible for an in college scholarship? If someone here can correct me please do as I’m not entirely sure, but he should ask cadre again
Also if he currently is not in ROTC and it’s his first year joining that could also be a reason
Also if he currently is not in ROTC and it’s his first year joining that could also be a reason
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Four years ago, my DS earned a 3 year scholarship as a "walk-on" non-contracted cadet during his freshman year. Today he is a 2LT.
If the grades, and fitness are solid, and the battalion has slots open, they will consider you for a campus based 2, or 3 year scholarship.
Ask your ROO again about a non-SMP campus based scholarship and see what they say. If you don't qualify now, ask what you have to do to get there!
Don't give up!
If the grades, and fitness are solid, and the battalion has slots open, they will consider you for a campus based 2, or 3 year scholarship.
Ask your ROO again about a non-SMP campus based scholarship and see what they say. If you don't qualify now, ask what you have to do to get there!
Don't give up!
Thank you so much for your responses! He has signed up for ROTC classes and lab starting next Semester, so he will have only missed 1 semester of military training. His grades and physical ability are definitely in the qualified level. I will advise him to ask cadre again about a non SMP based scholarship.
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One more avenue to explore... He may be able to apply using the high school application you found provided he meets credit hour and other restrictions. I know Navy allows this but cannot swear to Army. That's another question he might ask the cadre. Yes, he would be applying for a 4 year scholarship but it would net out to 3 years. I'll defer to AROTC-dad on this if he has any insights.
From what I know from helping underclassmen apply for scholarships.
- You can only apply for national scholarships (3-4 years to top five schools of choice) during high school.
- Once in college, the equivalent scholarship option is to apply for a campus-based scholarship (2-3 years), which means you have to apply through the cadre at the school.
Other scholarship options:
- SMP: attend basic training (and Advanced Individual Training), then join a reserve unit for drills as a officer-in-training, receive the same benefits as a national/campus based scholarship, but cannot compete for active duty. You have to commission into Army Reserves (which is a great option for attending grad school/med school/or any other professional school right after undergrad).
- National Guard: just the same as SMP, but with a National Guard unit in whatever location desired as long as they can support the scholarship.
I am not an expert on this, but hopefully this gives enough information to spark some questions for a recruiter. If there is a recruiter for that specific ROTC program, they will be able to give the best information about all of these scholarships. Otherwise, you may need to speak with recruiters from active duty, Reserves, and National Guard to learn about these options.
- You can only apply for national scholarships (3-4 years to top five schools of choice) during high school.
- Once in college, the equivalent scholarship option is to apply for a campus-based scholarship (2-3 years), which means you have to apply through the cadre at the school.
Other scholarship options:
- SMP: attend basic training (and Advanced Individual Training), then join a reserve unit for drills as a officer-in-training, receive the same benefits as a national/campus based scholarship, but cannot compete for active duty. You have to commission into Army Reserves (which is a great option for attending grad school/med school/or any other professional school right after undergrad).
- National Guard: just the same as SMP, but with a National Guard unit in whatever location desired as long as they can support the scholarship.
I am not an expert on this, but hopefully this gives enough information to spark some questions for a recruiter. If there is a recruiter for that specific ROTC program, they will be able to give the best information about all of these scholarships. Otherwise, you may need to speak with recruiters from active duty, Reserves, and National Guard to learn about these options.
I was reading these responses and looking for advice. My son, a freshman, is a non scholarship Army ROTC cadet. He made the deans list, passed DODMERB, and he just barely passed the fitness test the fall semester.
His Cadre didn’t recommend him for a campus based scholarship this past winter because of his low fitness scores.
When should he begin to look at other options such as the SMP?
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thank you.
His Cadre didn’t recommend him for a campus based scholarship this past winter because of his low fitness scores.
When should he begin to look at other options such as the SMP?
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thank you.
Montana State Army ROTC
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Depends in how much he wants/needs $. Enlisting and taking a guard scholarship guarantees him a commission in the guard- and he cant choose to go active duty. Enlisting and going to basic/AIT and not taking a scholarship (but using tuition assistance and GI Bill) keeps his active duty option open but will delay his schooling do to basic. Or he does better physically and tries again for a scholarship next year.