Minuteman Scholarship

The Minuteman Campaign is a U.S. Army Cadet Command initiative to offer Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty (GRFD) scholarships to candidates that self-select for service in a Reserve component.

The GRFD scholarship provides full tuition and fees or room and board ($12,000 per year) for up to four years at a public or private school who hosts an Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program. This program provides well-trained officers to the Reserve Components and improves the total Army force.

If you are a high school senior interested in receiving an Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) scholarship and commissioning into the Army Reserve, the GRFD Minuteman Scholarship provides you an excellent opportunity.

GRFD contracted Scholarship Cadet can earn:

• Full Tuition Fees - In / Out of State or Room/Board ($12K per year)
• $1,200 a year book stipend
• $420 ROTC Cadet stipend each month
• Earn E-5 drill pay upon contracting
• CH 1606 if MOSQ (available with select scholarships)
• SMP Kicker if MOSQ (available with select scholarships)

Types of Scholarships (for academic year 2025 to 2026)

• 4-year: Only awarded to incoming college freshmen attending a host ROTC program. Recipients must attend a State or public university.
• 3-year Advanced Designee (3AD): Students will attend a host ROTC Program and begin to receive benefits after they contract in the beginning of their sophomore year, provided they meet eligibility requirements. Recipients must attend a State, public, or private university.

Minuteman recipients also participate in the Simultaneous Membership Program, which gives them experience with an Army Reserve unit while earning additional income.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Currently in the Army Reserve or eligible to enlist (meaning test and physically qualified but not sworn in)
• U.S. Citizen or U.S. National
• Between the ages of 17-28; cannot turn 31 by 31 December of the year of commissioning
• Must be able to complete a valid Chapter 2 MEPS physical for enlistment
• Must be able to pass the Army Combat Fitness Test (required to sign contract and receive scholarship benefits)
• Must be in compliance with AR 600-9 body composition standards
• Official University/College acceptance letter
• Applicants require: 2.5 GPA, 4-year applicants must have an ACT/SAT
• Must be able to participate in the Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP)
• Once commissioned applicants must complete an 8-year service obligation while actively drilling at a Unit

The applicant must be test/physically qualified Qualified Not Enlisted (QNE) with MEPS. The applicant will not be required to swear-in until they have received a ROTC scholarship offer letter.

All nominees will be made aware that the scholarship they are accepting is a dedicated GRFD and CANNOT BE REVOKED to allow the applicant to compete for an active-duty commission.

All scholarship offers are subject to available funding.

HOW TO APPLY

Army Reserve Soldiers and those interested in the GFRD Scholarship should fill out the form below to get connected with an Army Reserve Ambassador to start the nomination application process. Nominations are required for all scholarship types.

Army Recruiters can also assist in obtaining a nominating resource.