Education & Training
Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Program
The ROTC program is a launching pad to earning a college degree, developing hands-on leadership experience and stepping into a role as a military officer upon graduation. It is college life plus career training, all while helping reduce or remove college tuition costs. Many students choose ROTC because it offers community and instills confidence that carries well beyond campus life, with leadership skills that both military and civilian employers value.
What Is the ROTC Program?
The ROTC program combines traditional college coursework with military leadership training, all while you continue to major in the academic field of your choice and enjoy campus life. It is offered at more than 1,700 colleges and universities across the country.
How ROTC Helped Hope Pay For College
Hope found a way to earn her degree while preparing for her future career as a military officer.
Hope Barboza, Senior Airman
Air Force
Transcription
I wanted to get my college degree, once I finished high school. But I also wanted to serve in the military. So I then realized that ROTC was the best option for me. So I went to the University of Maryland. And that's where I did my ROTC program.
ROTC is a program that you can do through college. And you do your military training while you're going to college, at the same time.one day a week throughout the entire time that you do your bachelor's degree, you would go. And you would be like your military day.
You'd do your academic courses. You do different drill. And you build your leadership skills, so that by the time you graduate, you're ready to be an officer.
How ROTC Helped Hope Pay For College
The Coast Guard does not offer ROTC, but it has an ROTC alternative, the College Student Pre-Commissioning Initiative (CSPI).
It is for students who demonstrate academic potential and leadership. Applicants must be sophomores or juniors at federally designated Minority Serving Institutions.
What Does the ROTC Program Offer?
The ROTC program provides leadership training, mentorship and hands-on military experience at the college level, with a clear path to commissioning as a military officer. ROTC scholarship options can also significantly reduce or cover college costs so students can focus on studies, not finances. Students who earn scholarships may receive:
- Tuition and fees: Many four-year scholarships cover full tuition or offer a room-and-board option
- Book allowance: Often between $750 and $1,200 per academic year
- Monthly ROTC stipend: Typically $250 to $500 during the school year
- Officer commissioning: Begin your career as an officer upon graduation
The ROTC program also includes several contract pathways so students can choose how they participate:
- Four-year scholarship contract: After meeting selection requirements, you enter as a freshman with full scholarship benefits.
- Three-year scholarship contract: Earn a scholarship after your freshman year based on performance and program needs.
- Nonscholarship contract: Commit to ROTC in your junior year, receive a stipend and commission upon graduation.
- Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP): Serve in the Reserve or Guard while enrolled in the ROTC program and receive additional pay and benefits.
To maintain funding, you must meet academic and fitness standards and follow program requirements. Benefits vary slightly by Service branch and scholarship type, so details matter.
ROTC College Program vs. Traditional College: How They Compare
-
College Cost (2769)
-
ROTC Program
Scholarships and stipends reduce or fully cover tuition costs (2769)
-
Traditional College
Students typically pay tuition using personal savings, loans, scholarships and/or grants. (2769)
-
Focus (2769)
-
Students balance college academics with leadership and military training. (2769)
-
Students focus primarily on academic coursework tied to their future careers or trades (2769)
-
Career Start (2769)
-
Upon graduation, students commission as officers and receive military salaries and benefits. (2769)
-
After graduation, students’ career paths begin with job searches; opportunities vary by field. (2769)
-
Skill Building (2769)
-
Students gain confidence, learn responsibility and build communication and leadership skills (2769)
-
Students build skills based on their chosen majors and campus experiences (2769)
ROTC Schedule and Time Commitment: What to Expect
An ROTC program fits into a normal college schedule more easily than you might think. The program builds skills and teamwork gradually throughout your college years.
Programs vary slightly between the Services, but a typical weekly structure can include:
- One to two ROTC classes per week
- Three hours of physical training per week
- One leadership lab per week
- One weekend training exercise per semester
- Optional summer training experiences
You will still be able to enjoy a full campus life, social activities, clubs and time to explore your interests.
ROTC: A Day in the Life
See how ROTC students train, lead and build community beyond the college classroom.
Transcription
So, the typical day of an ROTC Cadet really revolves around taking their courses to pursue their academic degree. On top of that, they may have leadership laboratory or their Air Force science class. Before all that even starts, you wake up bright and early for physical training. You are around people who have similar goals and values. One thing that unites us is that same desire to serve. The cadets do form friendships and relationships with their peers. You make those bonds, so you take classes together. By the time you're finished with the program, you do have those lifelong friends.
ROTC: A Day in the Life
In Their Words
Listen for more:
Daisy Aguilar Second Lieutenant | Army Reserve
What You Will Do After Graduation
After you complete the ROTC program and graduate, you will commission as a military officer and begin your career. Your next steps usually look like this:
- Initial Officer Training
Formal training for your branch and career field - First Duty Assignment
Your first full-time leadership role managing people and resources - Career Development and Advancement
Opportunities to grow your skills and take on greater responsibility
ROTC Programs Across the Services
-
Branch
Army (2769)
-
Where ROTC Is Offered
1,000+ colleges (2769)
-
What Scholarships Can Cover
Full tuition or room and board, book allowances, and monthly stipends (2769)
-
Marine Corps and Navy (2769)
-
170+ colleges (2769)
-
Full tuition, fees, book allowances and monthly stipends that increase each year (2769)
-
Air Force (2769)
-
1,100+ colleges (2769)
-
Tuition, lab fees, book allowances and monthly stipends (2769)
Summer training may be required depending on the scholarship and branch.
The Navy operates the ROTC program for the Marine Corps.
The Navy also offers the Navy ROTC Preparatory Program (NPP). It’s for highly motivated high school students who demonstrate great potential but may need to strengthen their academic foundations to succeed in the Naval ROTC program.
How to Apply to ROTC
The ROTC program is both voluntary and selective. You can apply before starting college or after you begin classes, depending on the scholarship path that fits you.
Who Can Apply
Requirements vary slightly by Service branch, but generally, you must:
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Be at least 17 years old
- Hold a high school diploma or equivalent
- Meet academic standards (typically at least a 2.50 GPA in high school, or 3.0 for Air Force)
- Submit ACT or SAT scores (requirements vary by school and branch)
- Meet medical and physical fitness standards
- Agree to serve as a military officer after graduation
When Can You Apply
- High school students: Apply for national ROTC scholarships usually by the end of the first semester of senior year.
- Current college students: You can join the ROTC program on campus and compete for scholarships once enrolled. Campus-based scholarships may cover the remaining years of school.
- Service members: In some cases, enlisted service members can apply to join ROTC while in college or through specific commissioning programs.
Your Application Steps
- Find schools that offer your preferred branch’s ROTC program and your intended major.
- Apply for national scholarships if you are a high school senior.
- If already in college, meet with the ROTC cadre to discuss campus-based scholarship options.
- Complete medical and fitness screenings and maintain strong academic performance.
- Commit to serving after you graduate and commission as an officer.
Making Early Gains Toward a Bright Future
Brittany joined Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) in high school and continued with ROTC in college, gaining momentum toward a leadership position. JROTC is available in many high schools and does not require military service. It simply helps students explore leadership and teamwork.
Frequently Asked Questions about ROTC
Yes. Many students join in their first or second year of undergraduate school. ROTC also offers several contract pathways, so students can choose how they wish to participate.
Depending on the Service branch, scholarships can cover full or partial tuition, plus books and a stipend.
Yes. Scholarships usually include a service commitment.
Service length depends on branch and scholarship. The total obligation is eight years, typically split between active duty (3–4 years) and the Individual Ready Reserve (4–5 years), or eight years part-time in the Reserve or Guard.
ROTC prepares students for officer roles across many fields, both technical and nontechnical.
Find a school with ROTC in your branch of interest and talk with an ROTC representative or recruiter.