"Reserve Officers' Training Corps" in college prepare college students for future service as officers in branches of the U.S. military; the Army, Air Force, and Navy each have their own ROTC programs.
ROTC Participation:
Check with the colleges to which you are applying for how to apply for their ROTC programs.
Participating in ROTC in college does not automatically mean you get a scholarship to pay for college.
Go to the Counselor's office if you need any assistance with getting information or applying.
ROTC Scholarships:
Students can earn an ROTC scholarship in two ways:
1. Compete nationally for a scholarship during their senior year of high school or
2. Join the ROTC program in college and compete for a scholarship at the campus level.
Accepting an ROTC scholarship means that students are expected to fulfill active duty services in their chosen branch of the Armed Forces.
ROTC Scholarship Application Information:
US Air Force
US Army
US Navy & US Marines
National Guard
*Colleges have campus level scholarships and their applications may include the national ones listed here as well as their own. Contact the ROTC program at the college in which you plan to attend for their ROTC program application and scholarship application. Go to the Counselor's office if you need any assistance with getting information or applying.
Check with the colleges to which you are applying for how to apply for their ROTC programs.
Participating in ROTC in college does not automatically mean you get a scholarship to pay for college.
Go to the Counselor's office if you need any assistance with getting information or applying.
ROTC Scholarships:
Students can earn an ROTC scholarship in two ways:
1. Compete nationally for a scholarship during their senior year of high school or
2. Join the ROTC program in college and compete for a scholarship at the campus level.
Accepting an ROTC scholarship means that students are expected to fulfill active duty services in their chosen branch of the Armed Forces.
ROTC Scholarship Application Information:
US Air Force
US Army
US Navy & US Marines
National Guard
*Colleges have campus level scholarships and their applications may include the national ones listed here as well as their own. Contact the ROTC program at the college in which you plan to attend for their ROTC program application and scholarship application. Go to the Counselor's office if you need any assistance with getting information or applying.
Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC)
This program offers 2-, 3-, and 4-year scholarships based on your merit and grades. ROTC programs offer college-based military training at many colleges. Once you complete your degree, you are commissioned as an officer. Most commitments last 8 years: 4 years on active duty, and 4 years in the Reserves. About 40% of new officers come from ROTC programs each year. The Coast Guard does not have an ROTC program.
OCS is essentially boot camp for officers. Only college graduates may apply to OCS, called Officer Training School (OTS) in the Air Force. Training lasts up to 17 weeks. The Marine Corps also offers Platoon Leaders Class (PLC). It allows college students to train as officers in the summer and enter into service once they earn their degree. After completing the program, new officers usually must serve four years of active duty. Candidates must enter Officer Training School on or before they turn 29 years old. Reserve and National Guard components of the military offer similar programs with varying service commitments. Each year, about 25% of the military's new officers come from these programs. For more on OCS or OTS, visit:
Direct Appointment
Medical, legal, engineering, and religious professionals who are already qualified in their fields may receive direct appointments as military officers. Most train for only a few weeks before practicing their professions in the military. Some may attend OCS or OTS. They must serve at least 2 years. Incentives for direct appointment include student loan repayment options. About 15% of new officers receive direct appointments each year.
Enlisted Commissioning Programs
Qualified enlisted personnel can train to earn commissions as officers. Programs vary by branch and occupation, and candidates usually must have a college degree. Most branches require candidates to attend OCS or OTS, even if they have already been through basic training. Each year, about 10% of new officers come from these programs.
This program offers 2-, 3-, and 4-year scholarships based on your merit and grades. ROTC programs offer college-based military training at many colleges. Once you complete your degree, you are commissioned as an officer. Most commitments last 8 years: 4 years on active duty, and 4 years in the Reserves. About 40% of new officers come from ROTC programs each year. The Coast Guard does not have an ROTC program.
- Pays part or all of the cost of tuition and books depending on branch of the service.
- Pays a stipend during the school year depending on enrollment terms.
- Available to all majors, but engineering, nursing, or science students may be preferred.
- Select cadets can serve part time in the Reserves or National Guard while pursuing a civilian career.
- Army ROTC: goarmy.com
- Navy/Marines ROTC: navy.com
- Air Force ROTC: afrotc.com
OCS is essentially boot camp for officers. Only college graduates may apply to OCS, called Officer Training School (OTS) in the Air Force. Training lasts up to 17 weeks. The Marine Corps also offers Platoon Leaders Class (PLC). It allows college students to train as officers in the summer and enter into service once they earn their degree. After completing the program, new officers usually must serve four years of active duty. Candidates must enter Officer Training School on or before they turn 29 years old. Reserve and National Guard components of the military offer similar programs with varying service commitments. Each year, about 25% of the military's new officers come from these programs. For more on OCS or OTS, visit:
- Army OCS: benning.army.mil
- Navy OCS: netc.navy.mil
- Air Force OTS: airforceots.com
- Marine Corps OCS: ocs.usmc.mil
- Coast Guard OCS: uscga.edu/LDC
Direct Appointment
Medical, legal, engineering, and religious professionals who are already qualified in their fields may receive direct appointments as military officers. Most train for only a few weeks before practicing their professions in the military. Some may attend OCS or OTS. They must serve at least 2 years. Incentives for direct appointment include student loan repayment options. About 15% of new officers receive direct appointments each year.
Enlisted Commissioning Programs
Qualified enlisted personnel can train to earn commissions as officers. Programs vary by branch and occupation, and candidates usually must have a college degree. Most branches require candidates to attend OCS or OTS, even if they have already been through basic training. Each year, about 10% of new officers come from these programs.
