The high price of tuition doesn't have to stand in the way of a great education.
The Army National Guard provides financial assistance to students who wish to attend college and enlist in the Guard, with two major scholarships for full-time students: the Dedicated Army National Guard (DEDNG) scholarship and the Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty (GRFD) contract.
Participate in both the Guard and your college's ROTC program at the same time.
To receive one of these scholarships, you must be involved in the Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP) with a National Guard unit while in school and have a letter of acceptance from a local Guard unit stating that they will accept you in an SMP status. Following graduation, cadets begin a new Military Service Obligation (MSO) contract and serve eight years in the Guard, which includes training.
Dedicated Army National Guard (DEDNG) Scholarship
The DEDNG scholarship is available for up to four years but does not allow simultaneous use with the Chapter 1606/MGIB-SR or Chapter 1607/REAP GI Bills.
Recipients receive full tuition or full room and board (flat rate of $10,000 per year), plus up to $1,200 for books, and are paid a monthly stipend of $420 for 10 months each year. In addition to a monthly allowance, they can also receive the drill pay of a sergeant, approximately $319 per month, when they participate in the SMP.
Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty (GRFD) Scholarship
The GRFD scholarship is mainly for students entering their junior year of college. GRFD scholarships are available for up to two years and allow simultaneous use with the Chapter 1606/MGIB-SR or Chapter 1607/REAP GI Bills.
GRFD recipients (dedicated or not) can choose either full tuition and fees or room and board (flat rate of $10,000 per year) and receive $1,200 for books. They are given an ROTC allowance for 10 months of the year at $420 per month. As a member of the Guard, they will also receive drill pay.
If eligible for Chapter 1606 Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB), the student may qualify for an additional $350 per month MGIB SMP kicker.
Minuteman Scholarship
Minuteman Scholarships can be either two-year GRFD scholarships or DEDNG-GRFD scholarships that cover up to four years. They guarantee that Cadets who commission as Army officers will serve in the Guard. A Minuteman Scholarship requires a nomination letter as part of the scholarship packet and offers either full tuition and mandatory fees or a room and board flat rate of $10,000 per year, covering up to four years (or eight semesters) of benefits. Minuteman Scholarship recipients also receive a $1,200 annual book allowance and a monthly stipend of $420 for 10 months of the academic year. Minuteman Scholarship Cadets must participate in the SMP while attending college, so they will also receive pay for attending a drill one weekend per month and a two-week annual training in a local Guard unit. In return for these scholarship benefits, a Minuteman Cadet will serve as a Commissioned Officer in the Guard in a drilling status for eight years after graduation.
Minuteman Scholarship Cadets can be nominated from any State Adjutant General (TAG) or any Civilian Aid to the Secretary of the Army (CASA) in lengths of two years, up to four years, for a scholarship. These scholarships are limited each year, and applications require a nomination memo with a handwritten signature from the nomination source. For more specific information and to learn how to apply, set up an appointment with our Recruitment Operations Officer.
Requirements
In order to qualify for these scholarships, you must:
Be a U.S. citizen
Be accepted to a college/university with an ROTC program
Have a 2.5 cumulative GPA and maintain a 2.0
As an incoming freshman, have a minimum 19 ACT or 1000 SAT to qualify for the four-year Minuteman Scholarship
Be under 31 years of age for the entire year of commissioning
Be a full-time student
Complete the ROTC Basic Course requirements or Basic Combat Training
Be medically and morally qualified