Military Science and Leadership

Cadets in uniform doing pushups in the end zone of a WMU football game.

Scholarships

Army ROTC provides one of the best leadership programs in the country. Besides that, one of the biggest reasons to join Army ROTC is for the financial support. We provide many scholarships—and can help you find many more. And the Army ROTC Scholarship can cover 100% of your tuition.

We highly recommend contacting the ROTC scholarship and enrollment officer as a first step before starting your application. All ROTC cadets are encouraged to file their Free Application for Federal Student Aid annually, as receiving an ROTC scholarship does not preclude you from accepting other forms of financial aid.

Department of Military Science and Leadership
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5249 USA
(269) 387-8120

Army ROTC Scholarship

  • Two-, three- and four-year scholarships are available with full tuition and fees covered.
  • Receive an extra $1,200 per year to spend on textbooks, supplies and equipment.
  • All ROTC scholarship recipients who live on campus will also receive an additional $3,000 per year from WMU to help offset their housing costs.

In exchange for service in the Army after graduation, you may be eligible for this scholarship whether you are a high school student, enrolled in college or an active-duty enlisted soldier.

 

Application checklist

Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty (GRFD) or Minuteman (MM) scholarship application requirements:

  • NGB-594
  • Minuteman nomination letter (only if applying for minuteman scholarship)

Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty (GRFD) or Minuteman (MM) scholarship application requirements:

  • DA Form 4824: SMP document
  • Letter of acceptance from the unit where you will be a cadet.
  • Minuteman nomination letter (only if applying for minuteman scholarship)

Additional scholarships available

High school seniors can apply for an ROTC scholarship as early as the summer before their senior year. Learn more here.

WMU FIRST Scholarship

If you apply between your junior and senior year of high school and receive a three-year national scholarship through the Army, WMU will pay full tuition for your first year at the university, resulting in a full four-year scholarship.

If you have two years left before graduation, you have time to complete the ROTC program and can apply for scholarships. Undergraduate and graduate students are encouraged to apply.

Green to Gold Scholarship

Available for enlisted soldiers serving on active duty. Learn more here.

Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty Scholarship

Available for enlisted soldiers serving in the U.S. Army Reserves or Army National Guard.

The scholarships below are managed by Bronco Battalion using WMU's scholarship matching tool, ScholarshipUniverse.

Apply for scholarships
Instructions for completing application

 

Captain Drew Russell Endowed Memorial Scholarship

Established to celebrate those cadets who excel academically and who have also served as a Non Commissioned Officer.

Cris Obreiter Cadet Support Scholarship

The Bronco Battalion believes in supporting those who are exploring the pathway of military service by participating in the ROTC program, even before they commit.

Herbert W. Kenz Army ROTC Cadet Scholarship

The CW3 Herb Kenz scholarship was created out of his love for education and military service.  This scholarship awards those who embody the Army Values, exhibit a strong work/life balance and project a positive attitude.

Cadets may only receive one CSSP award, so only one application is needed for all of the scholarships listed below. Contact the scholarship and enrollment officer to start your application.

The USAA Scholarship

USAA provides Army ROTC with one national award of $2,000 that is presented to the top eligible cadet. One cadet from each of the eight brigades will receive a $2,500 award, one cadet from the Early Commissioning Program will receive a $1,500 award and 20 at-large winners will receive a $1,500 award.

Armed Forces Insurance General Melvin Zais Army ROTC Scholarship

Armed Forces Insurance provides one national award of $1,000 that is presented to the top eligible cadet. Two at-large winners will also receive an award of $1,000 each.

The Lieutenant General Timothy J. Maude Foundation Scholarship

The Association of the United States Army (AUSA) manages this scholarship, which encourages outstanding and deserving students in the ROTC program who have separated the service under the Green to Gold Program, Chapter 16-2 of AR 635-200 or are participating in the Green to Gold Active-Duty Program. Five $5,000 scholarships are awarded to the top Army ROTC Green to Gold cadets selected from the junior class for the year they matriculate as a senior.

The Raytheon Scholarship

Raytheon provides one $1,500 scholarship to a cadet majoring in science, engineering or technology.

The Joseph Cribbins Scholarship

AUSA provides two $2,000 scholarships to cadets pursuing science, engineering or technology degree programs.

The Association of the United State Army Scholarship

AUSA provides a $4,000 scholarship to the top-performing cadet.

The Government Employees Insurance Company (GEICO) Scholarship

GEICO provides two $1,500 scholarships.

We also recommend viewing the list of scholarships and resources compiled by WMU's Office of Military and Veterans Affairs.

Learn more
ROTC cadet receiving scholarship award certificate from a donor.

Support WMU ROTC with a donation

Ways to give