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Paying for College

Army ROTC scholarships and tuition assistance programs provide financial assistance for the education and training of highly qualified and motivated young men and women who desire to be commissioned as officers in the United States Army.

If you have questions about scholarships or tuition assistance, contact the Scholarships and Enrollment Officer, Mark Blumenthal, at 906.227.2236 or arblumen@nmu.edu.

National Scholarship

The National Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship intended for high school seniors who plan to attend a four-year college program. This program allows you to have a full college experience while developing leadership skills vital to success in both military and civilian careers.

Campus-Based Scholarship

The ROTC Campus-Based Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship intended for college and transfer students who wish to commission as officers in the United States Army. Depending on your academic status during the time of application, there are two, three, and four year campus-based scholarships available.

Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty (GRFD) Scholarship

A GRFD scholarship provides financial assistance to students who wish to earn a college degree and commission as an officer in the U.S. Army Reserve or National Guard. In order to receive one of these scholarships, you must be enrolled in the Simultaneous Membership Program which is a program for currently enlisted ROTC cadets.

Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty (GRFD) Scholarship - Dedicated

A GRFD Scholarship provides financial assistance to students who wish to earn a college degree and commission as an officer in the U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) or National Guard (ARNG). In order to receive one of these scholarships, you must be enrolled in the Simultaneous Membership Program which is a program for currently-enlisted, ROTC cadets.

Nursing Scholarship

Prospective nursing students who desire to apply for the National ROTC Scholarship (nursing option) may only apply to universities with "Direct Admit" nursing programs. NMU is not a direct admit program as nursing prospects are not accepted into the nursing program until nursing prerequisites are met.

Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP)

The Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP) is a volunteer officer training program that allows Army National Guard and Army Reserve enlisted members to participate in the ROTC program, earn their college degree, and gain their commission as an Army officer.

Non-Scholarship

Non-scholarship students are those who desire to complete ROTC and to become commissioned officers, but who are funding their education without an ROTC Scholarship or participation in eligible the Simultaneous Membership Program. Non-scholarship students are eligible to "contract to commission" beginning sophomore year and are then received the cadet stipend. This is $420 monthly, tax-free that may be used to defray expenses.

Green to Gold Scholarship

You can apply online by creating a MY GOARMY account and following the instructions outlined here. Applications are due the spring (April 1) before your first year.

Green to Gold - Active Duty (A.D.) Scholarship

You can apply online by creating a MY GOARMY account and following the instructions outlined on this web page.

More Scholarship Information

Deadline:

You can apply for a National Scholarship online, by creating your account at the GoArmy link below.  The deadline is Dec. 31 of your senior year in high school.

Create your GOARMY account
Scholarship Portal

Contact:

For questions regarding the online application process call 1-888-251-6983 or email train2lead@usacc.army.mil For assistance in applying, contact Mark Blumenthal, Scholarships and Enrollment Officer, at arblumen@nmu.edu or (906) 227-2687.

HIGH SCHOOL NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP

The National Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship intended for high school seniors who plan to attend a four-year college program. This program allows you to have a full college experience while developing leadership skills vital to success in both military and civilian careers.

BENEFITS

  • Full Tuition
    • May be converted to $10, 000 for Room and Board
  • All Academic Fees
  • Text Book Allowance – $600 per semester
  • $420 Stipend - monthly, tax-free living allowance (ten months)

NMU BENEFITS

  • NMU ROTC Room and Board Grant
  • National Scholarship Winners receive the following:
    • A Double Occupancy Room in a traditional residence hall
    • An NMU Meal Plan - Base Required
    • Contact Military Science for additional eligibility criteria and details

REQUIREMENTS

  • Be a US 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 prior to college enrollment
  • Score a minimum of 1000 on the SAT (math/verbal) or 19 on the ACT (excluding the required writing test scores)
  • Meet physical standards and pass a basic Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT)
  • Pass a DODMERB physical
  • Complete a security clearance
  • Agree to accept a commission and serve in the Army on Active Duty or in a Reserve component (Army Reserve or Army National Guard)

COMMITMENT

  • Attend the 29-day Advanced Course between your junior and senior years of college
  • Accept a commission to serve on Active Duty or the Reserve Component upon completion of the required academic and ROTC courses
  • An eight-year service commitment with the Army. This may be fulfilled by:
    • Serving on Active Duty, if selected, for 4 years followed by 4 years of service in the National Guard, Army Reserve, or Inactive Ready Reserve (IRR)
    • Serving 8 years in a National Guard or Army Reserve that includes a 3-6 month Active Duty term for initial training. Term of obligations begins at the time of commissioning

Get Started:

Sign up for MS139: Leadership & Confidence Building (1-credit) and MS269: Army Physical Fitness Training (1-credit) to enroll in the ROTC program and learn how to apply for a 2-   3-, or 4-year campus-based scholarship.

Contact:

For assistance in applying for a campus-based scholarship, contact Mark Blumenthal, our Scholarships and Enrollment Officer, at arblumen@nmu.edu or (906) 227-2687.

ROTC CAMPUS-BASED SCHOLARSHIP

The ROTC Campus-Based Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship intended for college and transfer students who wish to commission as officers in the United States Army. Depending on your academic status during the time of application, there are two, three, and four year campus-based scholarships available.

BENEFITS

  • Full Tuition (2-, 3-, or 4-years) – May be applied to Room and Board 
  • All Academic Fees
  • Text Book Allowance – Up to $1200 a year
  • $420 Stipend monthly, tax-free living allowance (Ten months)

NMU BENEFITS

  • NMU ROTC Room and Board Grant
  • Campus-Based Scholarship Winners are eligible to receive the following:
    • A Double Occupancy Room in a traditional residence hall
    • An NMU Meal Plan - Base Required
    • Note: to be eligible, ROTC Scholarship must be earned freshman year
    • Contact Military Science for additional eligibility criteria and current details

REQUIREMENTS

  • Be a US 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
  • SAT/ACT, Cumulative High School GPA, Cumulative College GPA and participation in ROTC Program are considered for scholarship award.
  • Meet physical standards and pass an Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) with a score of 180 or higher
  • Pass a DODMERB physical
  • Complete a security clearance
  • Agree to accept a commission and serve in the Army on Active Duty or in a Reserve component (Army reserve or Army National Guard)

COMMITMENT

  • Attend the 29-day Advanced Course between your junior and senior years of college
  • An eight-year service commitment with the Army. This may be fulfilled by:
    • Serve full-time in the Army on Active Duty, if selected, for 4 years followed by 4 years of service in the National Guard, Army Reserve, or Inactive Ready Reserve (IRR).
    • Selected cadets may choose to serve part-time in the Army Reserve or Army National Guard while pursuing a civilian career. This includes a 3-6 month Active Duty term for initial training. Term of obligations begins at the time of commissioning.

Getting Started:

Gain permission from your unit to serve as an SMP cadet, join ROTC by signing up for MS139: Leadership & Confidence Building (1-credit) and MS269: Army Physical Fitness Training (1-credit), and request a GRFD or Dedicated ARNG Scholarship through your professor of military science.

Contact:

For assistance in applying for a GRFD or DedARNG Scholarship, contact Mark Blumenthal, our Scholarships and Enrollment Officer, at arblumen@nmu.edu or (906) 227-2687.

GUARANTEED RESERVE FORCES DUTY (GRFD) SCHOLARSHIP

There are two Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty (GRFD) Scholarship options:

  1. GRFD Scholarship (please refer to information below)
  2. GRFD-Dedicated Scholarship: If you already know which of the two components (Reserve or National Guard) you wish to commission, please click here

The traditional GRFD Scholarship provides financial assistance to students who wish to earn a college degree and commission as an officer in the U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) or National Guard (ARNG). In order to receive one of these scholarships, you must be enrolled in the Simultaneous Membership Program which is a program for currently-enlisted, ROTC cadets. Cadets must be going into their junior year of college before they are eligible to receive GRFD Scholarship benefits, and it is during this time that cadets must choose whether they want to commission with the USAR or ARNG.

BENEFITS

  • Full Tuition (last 2 years) - May be applied to Room and Board
  • All Academic Fees
  • Text Book Allowance – Up to $1200 a year
  • $200+ monthly drill and annual training pay
  • Montgomery GI Bill & Kicker benefits (if eligible)
  • Stipend - $420 monthly living allowance (Ten months)

REQUIREMENTS

  • Be a US citizen
  • Be between the ages of 17 and 30 (by June 30 of the year you will graduate from college
  • Have a cumulate GPA of 2.5 on all college work completed
  • Have a high school diploma or equivalent
  • SAT/ACT, Cumulative High School GPA, Cumulative College GPA and participation in ROTC Program are considered for scholarship award.
  • Meet physical standards
  • Pass a DODMERB physical
  • Must currently be enlisted in the USAR or ARNG
  • Must have completed Basic and Advanced Individual Training
  • Willing to participate and be accepted into the Simultaneous Membership Program

COMMITMENT

  • Attend the 29-day Cadet Leaders Course (CLC) between your junior and senior years of college
  • Serve as an SMP cadet in the unit of your choice with an available SMP slot
  • An eight-year service commitment with the USAR or ARNG
  • Following graduation, officers begin a new Military Service Obligation (MSO) contract

The Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty (GRFD) - Dedicated Scholarship provides financial assistance to students who wish to earn a college degree and commission as an officer in the Army Reserve (USAR) or National Guard (ARNG). In order to receive this scholarship, Soldiers must be enrolled in the Simultaneous Membership Program which requires active participation in both unit and ROTC training.

The distinguishing feature of a GRFD-Dedicated Scholarship is cadets must choose to commission either with the USAR or ARNG immediately upon receiving the scholarship instead of waiting until their junior year of college. Cadets are eligible to apply for a GRFD-Dedicated Scholarship after completing their first year of college and may start receiving benefits during their sophomore year.

BENEFITS

  • Full Tuition (3 years) - May be applied to Room and Board
  • All Academic Fees
  • Text Book Allowance – Up to $1200 a year
  • $200+ monthly drill and annual training pay
  • Montgomery GI Bill & Kicker benefits (if eligible)
  • $420/Month stipend (ten months)

REQUIREMENTS

  • Be a US citizen
  • Be between the ages of 17 and 30 (by June 30 of the year you will graduate from college)
  • Have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.50 on all college work completed
  • Have a high school diploma or equivalent
  • Score a minimum of 920 on the SAT (math/verbal) or 19 on the ACT (excluding the required writing test scores)
  • Meet physical standards
  • Medically qualified through DODMERB
  • Currently enlisted in the USAR or ARNG
  • Completed Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training
  • Accepted into the Simultaneous Membership Program

COMMITMENT

  • Attend the 29-day Cadet Leaders Course (CLC) between your junior and senior years of college
  • Serve as an SMP cadet in the unit of your choice with an available SMP slot
  • An eight-year service commitment with the USAR or ARNG which includes a 3-6 month Active Duty term for initial training
  • Following graduation, officers begin a new Military Service Obligation (MSO) contract

Note:  Prospective nursing students who desire to apply for the National ROTC Scholarship (Nursing Option) may only apply to universities with "Direct Admit" nursing programs.  NMU is not a direct admit program as nursing prospects are not accepted into the nursing program until nursing prerequisites are met.  This is typically accomplished during freshman year with admission to nursing being announced in the fall of sophomore year.  The only direct admit program in Michigan, currently, is the University of Michigan.

Prospective Nursing students and students accepted to the NMU Nursing Program may participate in the ROTC Basic Course (freshman and sophomore years).  Upon acceptance into NMU's nursing program, nursing students may be considered for the ROTC Nursing Scholarship, should funding be available, and the opportunity to serve as Active Duty Army Nurses. 

Nursing students who do not receive an ROTC Nursing Scholarship may be considered for commissioning as an Army Nurse based upon expected vacancies in the Army Nurse Corps.

Students who are not successful in gaining admission to NMU's Nursing Program, or who elect to pursue other academic majors, may continue to participate in ROTC and are eligible to apply for a Campus-Based Scholarship or other Army tuition assistance.  All who successfully complete ROTC may earn commissions in the Active Duty Army, Army Reserve or National Guard. 

References to the National Scholarship on these pages are for informational use only.

Those nursing cadets who are awarded a National or Campus-Based ROTC scholarship also receive nursing-specific benefits in addition to those offered with the traditional scholarship. These benefits cover nursing school expenses, licensing examination fees, and more.

Additional Benefits:

1.  Lab/clinical fees are reimbursable as a one-time fixed allowance
2.  ROTC will pay up to $600 for NCLEX-RN exam prep course after graduation
3.  First attempt NCLEX-RN examination fee (approximately $200) is reimbursed in full
4.  Guaranteed accession into Army Nurse Corps as long as cadet passes NCLEX-RN within 2 attempts

Interested in learning more about being an ROTC nurse cadet or a nurse officer in the U.S. Army? 

Also, learn more about the Northern Michigan University nursing program.

Getting Started:

Talk to your unit about earning a college degree at NMU and determine initial eligibility requirements for GI Bill tuition assistance benefits. Once enrolled, join ROTC by signing up for MS139: Leadership & Confidence Building (1-credit) and MS269: Army Physical Fitness Training (1-credit) to take advantage of all that SMP has to offer.

Contact:

For assistance in applying for tuition assistance, contact Mark Blumenthal, our Scholarships and Enrollment Officer, at arblumen@nmu.edu or (906) 227-2687.

SMP TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

The Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP) is a volunteer officer training program that allows Army National Guard (ARNG) and Army Reserve (USAR) enlisted members to participate in the ROTC program, earn their college degree, and gain their commission as an Army officer.

Current enlisted soldiers interested in SMP may also apply for the Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty (GRFD) or GRFD-DEDICATED Scholarships.

BENEFITS

  • $6,000 Michigan National Guard State Tuition Assistance Program (National Guard Only)
  • Up to $4,000 State/Federal Tuition Assistance
  • NMU Tuition Grant discount up to 45% of tuition (National Guard Only)
  • Montgomery GI Bill ($369/mo) & Kicker ($350/mo) benefits (if eligible)
  • $200+ monthly drill and annual training pay
  • $420 Stipend - monthly living allowance (Ten months)

REQUIREMENTS

  • Be a US citizen
  • Be between the ages of 17 and 26
  • Completion of Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training (AIT)
  • Have at least four years left of current enlistment obligation
  • Sophomore or higher college academic standing
  • Full-time student enrollment status
  • Have a college GPA of at least 2.5
  • Have a high school diploma or equivalent
  • Meet physical standards
  • Pass the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) 
  • Pass a DODMERB physical

COMMITMENT

  • An eight-year service commitment with the Army as an officer. This can be fulfilled by:
    • Serving full-time in the Army on Active Duty, if selected, for 4 years followed by 4 years with the ARNG, USAR, or Individual Ready Reserve (IRR)
    • Serving part-time in the Army Reserve or Army National Guard for 8 years while pursuing a civilian career. This includes 3-6 months of Active Duty for initial training.

Getting Started:

You can apply online by creating a MY GOARMY account and following the instructions outlined here. Applications are due the spring (April 1) before your first year.

Contact:

For assistance in applying for a Green to Gold ROTC scholarship, contact Mark Blumenthal, our Scholarships and Enrollment Officer, at arblumen@nmu.edu or (906) 227-2687

Getting Started:

You can apply online by creating a MY GOARMY account and following the instructions outlined on this web page.

Contact:

For assistance, contact Mark Blumenthal, our Scholarships and Enrollment Officer, at arblumen@nmu.edu or (906) 227-2687.