Scholarships

 

The Army ROTC scholarship

  • Two-, three- and four-year scholarships are available.
  • Army ROTC scholarships cover full tuition and fees (not including flight fees) 
  • $1,200 per year for textbooks, supplies and equipment
  • The benefits for all scholarships are the same, the only difference being the duration of the benefits.

In addition to what the Army provides, all ROTC scholarship recipients who attend Western Michigan University and live on campus will receive an additional $3,000 per year from WMU to help offset the cost of their on-campus housing.

Scholarship Opportunities

Scholarships for High School Students

The typical high school scholarship recipient at WMU has a 3.4 GPA; scored a 25 on the ACT or 1180 on the SAT; played a high school varsity sport; and was a team captain, a student government leader, or held some other type of leadership position. You must apply online for an ROTC scholarship beginning in June between your junior and senior year. 

2022 Scholarship Application Closes Feb 4, 2022. You must start your application by this time. Got questions? We have the answers!

WMU FIRST scholarship

If you receive a 3-year national scholarship, WMU will pay full tuition for the first year allowing you to have a full four year scholarship. 

High school scholarship application

To be eligible to receive an ROTC scholarship, a student must:

  • Be a U.S. citizen.
  • Be medically qualified.
  • Pass the Army Physical Fitness Test. High school students must pass a personal fitness test.
  • Meet Army height and weight standards.
  • Be a full-time student.
  • Be no older than 31 years of age on Dec. 31 of the year in which they graduate from college.
  • Have a minimum GPA of 2.5. High school students must also have taken the ACT or SAT.

All ROTC scholarship recipients should 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.

Scholarships for current college students

Applicants who are not high school students must apply in person at WMU's ROTC office. Email for more information.

If you have two years left before graduation, you can complete the ROTC program

Undergraduate and Graduate students ae encouraged to apply.

Scholarships for currently serving military members

The Army Green to Gold Program is designed to offer Enlisted Soldiers in the Army the opportunity to earn a commission as Army Officers. This program offers enlisted Soldiers several unique ways to earn a baccalaureate or graduate degree

GREEN to gold program

The GRFD program is designed for cadets who are interested in obtaining a commission in the U.S. Army Reserves or Army National Guard with a guarantee for a Reserve Component (RC) assignment. Scholarships cover full tuition and mandatory fees or room and board up to $10,000, and range in length up to 3 years. Scholarship awardees also receive a book allowance and a monthly stipend based on their academic year. GRFD Cadets also receive weekend drill and annual training pay as participants in the Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP) which means they will attend a Battle Training Assembly (BTA) one weekend per month and a two week annual training. 

Guaranteed reserve forces duty scholarship

GRFD applicants must speak with the ROTC reserve forces liaison before completing the application.

Scholarships for non-contracted ROTC cadets

The Bronco Battalion believes in supporting those who are exploring the pathway of military service by participating in the ROTC program. You must be a non-contracted cadet in order to be awarded this scholarship.

Cris Obreiter Cadet Support Scholarship
  • Fall 2024 deadline is Mar 8, 2024.
  • Minimum GPA of 3.0 or above.
  • Available to non-contracted Army ROTC cadets.
  • Submission of an essay entitled Why I Joined the ROTC Program.

Cris Obreiter Cadet Support Scholarship Application

Scholarships for contracted ROTC cadets

There are several ROTC specific scholarships funded by ROTC alum and the Southwest Michigan community. You must be a contracted cadet in order to be awarded these scholarships.

Captain Drew Russell Memorial Scholarship
  • Fall 2024 deadline is Mar 8, 2024.
  • Minimum GPA of 3.25 or above.
  • Membership in any of the current ROTC sponsored clubs or teams for at least one semester
  • Submission of an essay entitled Why I Want to Be an Army Officer.  

CPT Drew Russell Memorial Scholarship Application

Herbert W. Kenz ROTC Cadet Scholarship
  • Fall 2024 deadline is Mar 8, 2024.
  • Minimum GPA of 3.0 or above.
  • Shall embody the Army Values
  • Shall exhibit a balance in his/her life related to family, friends, work, education, athletics and the arts
  • Shall exhibit a positive attitude towards others and the future

Herbert W. Kenz ROTC Cadet Scholarship Application

Colonel Richard A. Sperling Distinguished Service Cross Endowed Scholarship
  • Contracted United States Army ROTC cadet(s) at Western Michigan University enrolled in Aviation Flight Science at WMU, or
  • In the event there is no contracted Army ROTC cadet(s) enrolled in Aviation Flight Science, a contracted Army ROTC cadet(s) who has expressed a strong interest in taking flight training at the WMU College of Aviation, or 
  • In the event there are no contracted Army ROTC cadets enrolled in Aviation Flight Science or who have indicated an interest in taking flight training at the College of Aviation, a non-contracted Army ROTC cadet in good standing who is enrolled in Aviation Flight Science or interested in flight training. 
  • Minimum 2.5 GPA .
  • One page resume
  • Essay, maximum 600 words, in APA format on; "My dream job in aviation and the role my bachelor's degree will play in attaining it.
Application processed through the College of Aviation

College of Aviation internal Scholarships

 Civilian Sponsored Scholarship Programs (CCSP)

(1) The USAA Scholarship. USAA proves Army ROTC with $35,000 annually for scholarships allocated to 30 deserving Cadets. Scholarship assistance is provided by USAA. USAA will contact the PMS for publicity, presentation of these awards, and for arrangement of scholarship assistance payment. Only non-scholarship Cadets will be considered. Scholarship awards: (a) A National award of $2,000 will be presented to the top Cadet eligible for this scholarship. (b) One Cadet from each of the 8 Brigades will receive a $2,500 cash award. (c) One Cadet from the ECP will receive a $1,500 cash award. (d) 20 at-large winners will receive a $1,500 cash award.

(2) Armed Forces Insurance General Melvin Zais Army ROTC Scholarship. The Armed Forces Insurance sponsors this annual scholarship program. Armed Forces Insurance will contact the PMS for publicity, award presentation, and for arrangement of scholarship assistance payment. Only non-scholarship Cadets will be considered. Scholarships: (a) A National award of $1,000 will be presented the top Cadet eligible for this scholarship. (b) Two at-large winners will also receive an award of $1,000 each.

(3) The Lieutenant General Timothy J. Maude Foundation Scholarship. The Association of the United States Army (AUSA) manages this scholarship award. The USACC Pamphlet 145-1 • 2 August 2016 45 LTG Timothy J. Maude Foundation Scholarship encourages and rewards 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. (a) Only Green to Gold Cadets (scholarship or non-scholarship) separated under Chapter 16-2 of AR 635-200 or participating in the Green to Gold active duty program are eligible. The Cadet should have shown a need for financial assistance in completing their education and have demonstrated the motivation to complete a college education and the potential to serve as an officer in the Armed Forces of the United States Army. (b) 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 scholarship is paid directly to the scholarship recipient at the AUSA annual meeting held in October in Washington, DC.

(4) The Raytheon Scholarship. Raytheon provides one $1,500 scholarship to a Cadet majoring in science, engineering, or technology. This scholarship is open to both scholarship and non scholarship.

(5) The Joseph Cribbins Scholarship. AUSA provides two $2,000 scholarships to Cadets who are either scholarship or Green to Gold Cadets pursuing science, engineering or technology degree programs. AUSA will contact the PMS for publicity, presentation of these awards, and for arrangement of scholarship assistance payment.

(6) The Association of the United State Army Scholarship. AUSA provides a $4,000 scholarship to the top performing Cadet. AUSA will contact the PMS for publicity, presentation of these awards, and for arrangement of scholarship assistance payment. This scholarship is open to both scholarship and non-scholarship ROTC Cadets.

(7) The Government Employees Insurance Company (GEICO) Scholarship. GEICO provides two $1,500 scholarships. AUSA will contact the PMS for publicity, presentation of these awards, and for arrangement of scholarship assistance payment. This scholarship is open to both scholarship and non-scholarship ROTC Cadets.

Application. Scholarship winners may only receive one of the CSSP awards. Therefore, only one application is necessary to compete for all of the scholarships listed above.

Documents: Applications will be sent electronically to usarmy.knox.usacc.mbx.cssp@mail.mil NLT 1 July. Applications will be sent as a single file containing the documents listed below:

(a) Cadet biography.

(b) Photo, in Dress Uniform.

(c) College transcripts (must include the spring term grades).

(d) Letter of recommendation/support from the PMS.

(e) Cadet Record Brief.

(f) On-Campus Officer Evaluation Report (OER)

 Contact the Scholarship and Enrollment Officer to start your application.