ROTC scholarships are a realistic option to help pay for your college education. There is just one catch. You have to do military service as soon as you graduate.

So this is definitely not money for the faint of heart. But if you want to serve your country it might be a great way to finance your studies.  Plus, you don’t have to do military service right away. You can get your college degree and then serve your country after.

While in school, you have to take ROTC coursework but you will receive elective course credits. After you graduate you are commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. army. 

If you enrol in the ROTC program, you are eligible for an ROTC scholarship. ROTC four-year scholarships are available to high school graduates before starting college. You might want to know that the scholarships are based on merit and not financial need and are very competitive. So if you really don’t want to do military service, this might not be the best option for you.

To get the scholarship, you have to be a U.S. citizen, be at least 17 years old, have at least a 2.5 GPA, rank in the top 25% of your class and score between 920 and 1600 on the SAT or 19-35 on the ACT. You also have to pass an army physical exam and meet the army’s current weight and height requirements.

You can get up to $17,000 a year to pay for tuition and mandatory fees. You also get yearly allowances for books, and some money each month for room and board.

You can pick any major that you want, but have to take some military courses and run drills. Between your junior and senior years, you also have to attend the ROTC National Advanced Leadership Camp.

Joining the ROTC program might be a great way to help finance your college education. But don’t think it’s a free ride. It’s a serious commitment and a lot of hard work.