JSU Army ROTC Scholarships

The JSU Army ROTC Gamecock Battalion Scholarships are based on merit (GPA, ACT, Physical Fitness Score, Extracurricular Activities). These scholarships are normally awarded to current students and are awarded throughout the year ranging from $250-$1,000 a term. A list of these scholarships are online. If interested, please contact the Recruiting Operations Officer, roo@rotc.edu.

The Army’s four year national High School scholarship conduct three (3) scholarship boards annually. National Army ROTC Scholarships are awarded to High School seniors who will soon graduate Students and can be awarded a 3-year or 4-year scholarship at the National Based scholarship process. These Scholarships covers full tuition and fees (uncapped) or $10,000 per year toward room and board. Scholarship recipients also receive a book allowance of $1200.00 a year ($600.00 per semester) and a monthly living stipend of $420 while attending school, depending on their year in the ROTC program.

The 4-yr scholarships pay for 4 years of college (tuition + most fees, book stipend, monthly stipend). The 3AD scholarship pays for only 3 years of college. The cost for the first year is on the student, and is the “validation” year.

ROTC National Scholarship Requirements

• Be a U.S. citizen
• Be between the ages of 17 and 26
• Have a high school GPA of at least 2.50
• Have a high school diploma or equivalent
• Score a minimum of 1000 on the SAT (math/verbal) or 19 on the ACT (excluding the required writing test scores)
• Meet physical standards
• Agree to accept a commission and serve in the Army on Active Duty or in a Reserve Component (Army Reserve or Army National Guard)

If you meet the basic requirements, below are the instructions on how to apply for a ROTC National Scholarship.  You can get about 75% of the application completed in under an hour.

ROTC National Scholarship Process:

Step #1: You need to complete an on-line application that you can access through the Army ROTC site.  Applicants must initiate the on-line application by 4 February 2020. Remember your login and password for your cadet portal. Your login is the email you use to establish your account.

Step #2: Submit high school transcripts (at least through junior year) and SAT or ACT scores. You can upload PDFs through your account in the Cadet portal.

Step #3: Take the ROTC Basic Fitness Test.  A coach or PE teacher can administer this for you.

Step #4: Conduct an interview at one of the university ROTC programs (ideally where your first choice of college is).  We can do this any time here at Jacksonville State after you start the on-line application. Please call 256-625-9840 to setup an interview.

ROTC National Scholarship Timeline

The Army understands high school students could still be in the process of taking SATs and ACTs during their senior year.  Because of this the Army has three different boards that meet throughout the year to select ROTC scholarship winners.  Below is the board timeline.

1st Board

07 October 2019:  All four steps listed above must be completed on the GoArmy site before this date to be considered by the first board.  The application will not be considered if any of the steps are not completed.  A benefit of completing the ROTC packet in time for the first board is that even if your packet is not selected it will be looked at again by the second and third boards thus increasing your chances of receiving a scholarship.

21-25 October 2019:  This is the date that the first board convenes and reviews every packet that was submitted by the 14 October 2019 deadline.

2nd Board

30 December 2019:  All four steps listed above must be completed on the GoArmy site before this date to be considered by the second board.  The application will not be considered if any of the steps are not completed.  A benefit of completing the ROTC packet in time for the second board is that even if your packet is not selected it will be looked at again by the third board thus increasing your chances of receiving a scholarship.

13-17 January 2020:  This is the date that the second board convenes and reviews every packet that was submitted by the 06 January 2019 deadline.

4 February 2020:  This is the deadline to initiate new 2019-2020 ROTC scholarship applications.  If an application is not initiated by1159pm EST it will not be considered by the final board. Those who already have an application open can continue to modify it passed this deadline.

4 March 2020:  This is the deadline to complete all edits to your online ROTC scholarship application.  All edits must be complete by1159pm EST.  After this date you will only be able to upload supporting documentation.

3rd Board

09 March 2020:  All four steps listed above must be completed on the GoArmy site before this date to be considered by the third board.  The application will not be considered if any of the steps are not completed.

23-27 March 2020:  Board convenes and runs until every packet that was board ready by the start of the board, has been reviewed.

Please view the below video for more information about submitting an ROTC scholarship application.

ROTC Scholarship Selection

The majority of scholarships are issued from the second and third boards and getting the application complete by the second board will increase your chances of receiving a scholarship.  Decisions on the scholarships awarded are usually released two to four weeks after each board.  Periodically check the Selection Status tab on your GoArmy application to see if you were selected.

If you were not selected after the third board do not give up hope of receiving a scholarship.  There is a secondary process for applicants to earn a scholarship. Any ROTC program can make an alternate offer to applicants that were not offered a national award. We get most of our new, incoming freshman on scholarships using this alternate process. Applying for the national scholarship is simply the first step. It is very simple and easy for us to make an alternate offer, but you first have to put together the ROTC application.

This option is reserved for current non-contracted Cadets who have completed at least 1 semester of training in the MSC 101/103 class or Basic Camp and has been included on the Cadre order of merit list. The competition for this scholarship is high and requires a lot of commitment in order for the Cadet to be reasonably competitive. These Scholarships covers full tuition and fees (uncapped) or $10,000 per year toward room and board. Scholarship recipients also receive a book allowance of $1200.00 a year ($600.00 per semester) and a monthly living stipend of $420 while attending school, depending on their year in the ROTC program.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Be a United States citizen
• Must not reach 31^st birthday by 31 December of the year in which they will graduate from college and receive their commission.
• Have a valid DODMERB physical
• Ability to pass the Army Physical Fitness Test
• Meet Army Regulation 600-9, Height and Weight standards
• Receive a recommendation from your current Military Science Instructor
• Be a current and full-time student (at least 12-semester hours)
  • Professor of Military Science letter of acceptance
• Have College GPA of at least 2.5 to be eligible
• Proof of ACT or SAT scores
• Be enrolled in ROTC

Notes:

• Required classes: Lecture Class; PT; and Lab
• Required Training: 32 day Cadet Leadership Course summer between junior and senior year (for graduate students between MS III and MS IV year).
• Additional available training: Airborne, Air Assault, Cadet Troop Leading Time (CTLT), and Mountain Warfare.
• ROTC Scholarships used to cover room and board pay $10,000 per year ($5,000 per semester). The amount will be paid directly to the Cadet.

The Army’s Minuteman scholarship was introduced to in 2015 to enhance the Army’s ability to recruit highly qualified Cadets every year. All qualified applicants for ROTC scholarships may apply for consideration for the 4-year Minuteman scholarship. The availability of Minuteman scholarship is managed by the Reserve Component being applied to.

The Minuteman Scholarship covers full tuition and fees (uncapped) or $10,000 per year toward room and board. Scholarship recipients also receive a book allowance of $1200.00 a year ($600.00 per semester) and a monthly living stipend pf $420 while attending school, depending on their year in the ROTC program. Minuteman scholarship recipients must serve in the Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP), in which they participate in the Army National Guard or Army Reserve. They will be required to conduct monthly unit drills and 14-day annual training for which they are paid as a Sergeant. After graduation and commissioning, Minuteman scholarship recipients are guaranteed placement in the National Guard or Reserve.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Be a United States citizen
• Currently in or be eligible for enlistment into the Army National Guard or Army Reserve
• Must not reach 31^st birthday by 31 December of the year in which they will graduate from college and receive their commission.
• Have a valid MEPS physical.
• Ability to pass the Army Physical Fitness Test
• Meet Army Regulation 600-9, Height and Weight standards
• Receive a letter of recommendation from one of the following sources
  • Army National Guard/USAR
• Acceptance letter to college
  • Professor of Military Science letter of acceptance
• Proof of Academic Major
• Proof of ACT or SAT scores
• Enroll in ROTC

 Notes:

• Required classes: Lecture Class; PT; and Lab
• Required Training: 32 day Cadet Leadership Course summer between junior and senior year (for graduate students between MS III and MS IV year).
• Additional available training: Airborne, Air Assault, Cadet Troop Leading Time (CTLT), and Mountain Warfare.
• ROTC Scholarships used to cover room and board pay $10,000 per year ($5,000 per semester), monthly stipends and book allowances are paid directly to the Cadet.
• Not eligible for GI Bill education benefits.

If you're an enlisted Soldier, Army ROTC can help you continue to grow and learn. The Army Green to Gold program provides unique options for Soldiers interested in pursuing baccalaureate degrees and earning commissions as Army Officers.

Enrollment Options

The Army Green to Gold program is designed to offer Enlisted Soldiers in the Army the opportunity to earn commissions as Army Officers. This program offers enlisted Soldiers two unique ways to earn a baccalaureate degree:

Division Commander's 2-, 3-, or 4-Year Hip Pocket Scholarships

Each year Division Commanders nominate Soldiers like yourself for scholarships to assist with college tuition and lead you to Officership through Army ROTC.

Green To Gold Scholarship

The Army's Green to Gold Program was designed specifically for Soldiers who are considering leaving Active Duty to attend college. This program helps enlisted Soldiers get college degrees and become Officers.

Green To Gold Non-Scholarship

For Soldiers who want to remain on Active Duty and attend college, this program is tailored for you. If you already have completed two years of college, this may be the best way for you to finish off your college requirements, and get leadership training that leads to Officership while receiving tuition assistance from the Army.

Green To Gold Active Duty Option

If you agree to go on Active Duty as an Officer following completion of Army ROTC, this scholarship program may be for you.

Visit the Army's Green to Gold website

The nursing scholarship is designed for students pursuing a degree in nursing. Students may apply for the scholarship their senior year in high school or any time after beginning college. The ROTC nursing scholarships are awarded to students demonstrating progress toward acceptance into a nursing program and to students accepted into the nursing program. Cadets with a ROTC nursing scholarship give priority to their nursing courses and rotations.

The Benefits

• 100% tuition or room & board

• $1,200 yearly book allowance

• ROTC monthly stipend $300-$500 a month

• All equipment and fees are reimbursed

• Free study materials and NCLEX

Additional Education

Nursing is a dynamic profession. Skills and professional knowledge must be constantly updated. The Army Nurse Corps recognizes that earning your BSN is an achievement to be proud of and is committed to providing educational opportunities so you may continue to enhance your abilities, interests and knowledge. Once you become an Army Nurse, you may apply for specialty courses such as:

• Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing - This 22-week course is designed to prepare you with the necessary knowledge of clinical skills to deliver care and treatment to psychiatric patients. Development of the qualities of understanding and compassion are stressed, along with proficiency in communications skills.

• Preoperative Nursing - This 16-week course is designed to prepare junior nurse officers to function as first-level staff nurses in the operating room (OR). It also focuses on the OR nurse's responsibilities in the preparation and sterilization of supplies/equipment; special fields of surgery; and the principles and techniques of supervision and management of the operating room.

• Obstetrical and Gynecological Nursing - This 16-week course is designed to provide you the necessary knowledge and clinical skills required to deliver nursing care to pregnant women, newborn infants and patients with gynecological problems.

• Critical Care Nursing - This 16-week course is designed to prepare nurses as entry-level critical care staff nurses in intensive care settings.

And once you have obtained career status and met eligibility criteria, you may apply for selection to graduate degree programs such as Anesthesia Nursing or Health Care Administration, or graduate education at the school of your choice.

How Winners are Chosen

Selection of winners is based on academic record, SAT or ACT test results, school officials' evaluations, extra-curricular leadership and athletics, a personal interview and a physical aptitude exam. The Army needs medical professionals, and anyone demonstrating progress toward a nursing degree should qualify for a nursing scholarship.

Who's Eligible?

You're eligible for the ROTC nursing scholarship if you're a full-time student in or preparing for the nursing program and meet the following requirements:

• Will be seventeen before the scholarship is effective.

• Have taken the SAT or ACT no later than November of the year you apply, and have a minimum 850 SAT or composite nineteen ACT.

• Have a minimum 2.5 high school GPA.

• Participate in leadership, extracurricular and athletic activities (a part time job earns you substitute credit).

• Be under 30 years of age by graduation. Waivers can be granted if you are under 39 years of age by graduation.

• Agree to accept a commission in the U.S. Army.

• Pursue an Army-approved nursing program.

• Meet required physical standards.

Your ROTC Commitment

As a winner of a nursing scholarship, you're required to take an ROTC class, which demands a few hours of your time each week. Upon graduation, you have an obligation to accept a commission and serve full-time in the Active Army, or part-time in either the Army National Guard or the U.S. Army Reserve.

When to Apply

The application due date is 10 January for high school students pursuing a career in nursing. College students may apply any time. There's no downside risk for applying early.