Scholarships and Pay

For Cadets who accept an ROTC scholarship and decide to attend classes at U of I, the following additional scholarships are available from the university.

University Residences Subsidy

For Cadets new to U of I, the university will contribute up to $5,000 per year toward residence hall/meal plan bills This subsidy is available only to those Cadets who are new students when they receive an ROTC scholarship. It is NOT available for those who live off-campus or in Greek (fraternity or sorority) housing. This award is renewable for up to four years for program participants who continue to live in University Residences.

Tuition Bridge Scholarship

This scholarship pays the difference between the non-resident tuition cost and the in-state tuition cost for out-of-state Cadets who are receiving Advance Designated scholarships; these scholarships start the second year at U of I. The University of Idaho Army ROTC Tuition Bridge waiver provides a waiver of non-resident tuition charges for an eligible student's first year.

The University of Idaho Joint ROTC Housing Option

This is a voluntary program that allows Freshman Cadets/Midshipmen, from the Army, Navy, Air Force and USMC, to live in dedicated dorm rooms.

National Army ROTC Scholarships are awarded to High School seniors who will soon graduate or obtain an equivalent certificate. Students can be awarded a 3-year or 4-year scholarship at the National Based scholarship process.

Scholarships cover full tuition and mandatory fees for the term of the award. Competition for these scholarships is high, with over 10,000 students from across the country competing for them annually. The selection rate for these limited scholarships is low, sometimes as low as 30%.

The scholarship process is centralized at Cadet Command. Typically, there are three boards held annually (October, December/January, and March). Interviews are conducted at a local Army ROTC program or school of choice prior to being eligible for selection.

The 4-yr scholarships pay for 4 years of college (tuition + mandatory fees, book stipend, monthly stipend). The 3 YR Advance Designee scholarship pays for only 3 years of college. The first year the student is financially responsible for tuition, and is considered the “validation” year.

There are two critical steps to validate a 3 YR AD scholarship:
1. A student-cadet must achieve a 2.5 cumulative GPA and 3.0 cumulative ROTC GPA by the end of the 1st year.
2. Pass the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT).

After a student-cadet is awarded a scholarship (of any type) he/she must maintain a 2.0 GPA (semester and cumulative) to include ROTC and pass the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) to keep the scholarship. (Refer to the contract for additional details). Scholarship awardees receive a book allowance of $1,200 per year and receive a monthly tax free stipend.

        Apply for a 4-year Scholarship

• Watch the Official ROTC YouTube video on how to fill out the 4 Year High School Scholarship Application: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iV_kgAj98HE

Campus based scholarships are equally competitive to the ones awarded at the National Scholarship level and are limited as well. Depending on available funding, we can award 4, 3, or 2 year campus based scholarships. Interested Cadets must meet strict qualification standards and compete against many other qualified Cadets. The minimum eligibility requirements for an on-campus scholarship include:

• Students must have a college 2.5 cumulative GPA or higher
• Must become medically qualified
• Students must be a U.S. citizen and cannot have dual citizenship
• No civil convictions or drug use (may be waived)
• Must past the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT)
• Cadets must be under 31 years of age at time of commissioning

Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty Scholarships

This program consists of three types of GRFD (Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty) Scholarships: GRFD Dedicated ARNG (Army National Guard) Scholarship, GRFD Dedicated USAR (US Army Reserves) Scholarship, and GRFD Scholarships where the Cadet can assess into either the NG or USAR.

This program allows individuals to be on scholarship, provide guaranteed service in the ARNG or USAR, and requires the student to participate in the Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP).

GRFD Scholarship recipients may not request conversion of or revocation of their GRFD Scholarship contracts.

Scholarship money can be used for either Room and Board or Tuition and Fees. If Scholarship money is used towards Room and Board, Federal (in addition if applicable State, re: ARNG) Tuition Assistance can be used in conjunction with Scholarship money to pay for tuition. Room and Board amounts are monies paid directly to the Cadet and are at the rate of $6,000 per semester. If Scholarship money is used for Tuition and Fees, then Federal/State Tuition Assistance cannot be used for Room and Board.

The Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP) is an officer training program which allows non-scholarship contracted Cadets and current enlisted soldiers within the Army National Guard (ARNG) and United States Army Reserve to simultaneously participate in the ROTC program and to be mentored by officers one weekend a month and annual training during the summer.

The intent of the Simultaneous Membership Program is to increase officer accessions into the National Guard and the Army Reserve by allowing enlisted soldiers to earn their commission through ROTC while shadowing Army Officers in leadership positions during Guard or Reserve unit drills. By participating in the SMP, a Cadet is not precluded from accessing to the Active Army after commissioning.

Cadets who participate in the SMP will receive:

1. Up to $4,000 per year through the Federal Tuition Assistance (NOTE: Student must be fully MOS qualified for one full year prior to applying for Federal TA).
2. Once contracted with the ROTC program (need minimum of 30 credit hours to contract), drill pay increases to the grade of SGT E5.
3. SMP non-scholarship contracted Cadets who have completed Basic Training can receive State Tuition Assistance.
4. SMP non-scholarship contracted cadets who have completed Basic and Advanced Individual Training (AIT) qualify to receive the Montgomery GI Bill® Selective Reserve (Chapter 1606/1607) and may qualify for the Montgomery GI Bill® Kicker.
5. SMP Cadets also receive a monthly stipend of $420.

The Simultaneous Membership Program is available to any sophomores, or to transfer students from community colleges or other universities, but the Cadet must be considered an academic sophomore at a minimum.

As a freshmen Cadets here at U of I, you’ll have the opportunity to enlist in the Idaho Army National Guard or the Army Reserve and go to training between the summer of your freshmen and sophomore year. While taking advantage of this opportunity, you’ll gain not only Soldier skills you can apply to developing your leadership style, you’ll start accumulating time in service. Cadets who have 2-3 years of enlisted service prior to commissioning typically make $750 a month more than their peers without this experience.

Note that contracted SMP Cadets are non-deployable.