Army ROTC

An Army ROTC scholarship could cover 100% of the cost of your Coppin State University education. The ROTC scholarship pays for tuition, required educational fees, and provides a specified amount for books, supplies, and equipment.

The Army gives special consideration to students pursuing degrees in nursing, engineering, physical sciences, and other technical skills currently in demand by the military. Recipients of these scholarships must earn their undergraduate degree in the field the scholarship is awarded.

Each scholarship also includes a monthly stipend of $300 to $500 depending on your academic classification. Depending on your classification, the stipend rate is:

• $300/month for freshmen (for 8 months)
• $350/month for sophomores (for 8 months)
• $450/month for juniors (for 10 months)
• $500/month for seniors (for 10 months)

Army ROTC and the Honors Program

Coppin provides room and board for scholarship winners who are also part of the  Honors Program. Recipients of 4-year scholarships automatically get nominated for the Honors Program. Acceptance into the Honors Program results in an additional scholarship that covers room and board.

2-, 3- and 4- Year Scholarship Criteria

The Coppin State University Army ROTC program offers 2, 2 1/2, 3 and 4 year scholarship awards. Scholarships are open to high school (awarded by Cadet Command to HS seniors), undergraduate, transfer, and graduate students who meet all necessary requirements. When awarded, scholarships cover full tuition and fees for the duration.

Important note: The Cadet must maintain a 2.0 minimum semester grade point average (GPA). The Army suspends benefits if the Cadet falls below this minimum and reinstates benefits if/when the GPA exceeds the 2.0 minimum. Cadets are allowed 1 semester of suspension, but face disenrollment if another occurs.

Possible Total Benefits for a Scholarship Cadet

Students entering as college freshmen are eligible for 4-year scholarships. Currently enrolled students as well as enlisted active-duty personnel are eligible for:

• 3 year and 3 1/2 year scholarships
• 2 year and 2 1/2 year scholarships
• 1 year scholarships
• 1/2 year scholarships

Additional two-year scholarships are available to students who attend the Basic Camp 2-year program. These scholarships are awarded based upon outstanding performance.

Four-Year Scholarship

To be eligible for a 4-year scholarship, you must:

• Be a U.S. citizen
• Be at least 17 years old before the scholarship is effective
• Have a minimum 920 SAT or composite 19 ACT score taken no later than November of the year you apply
• Be a high school graduate or have equivalent credit, with a 2.5 grade point average (GPA) or higher
• Show a pattern of leadership and participation in extracurricular activities (Students with part-time jobs will be given substitute credit)
• Be under 27 years of age on June 30 of the year you expect to graduate and receive your officers commission (An age extension of up to four years may be granted to veterans who qualify)
• Agree to accept a commission as either an Active Army, Army National Guard or U.S. Army Reserve Officer.
• Meet required physical/medical standards.

Three-Year Scholarship

To be eligible for a 3-year scholarship, you must:

• Be a U.S. citizen
• Have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher
• Have a minimum SAT score of 920 or minimum ACT score of 19
• Pass the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT)
• Meet all other requirements listed for the 4-Year Scholarship

Two-Year Scholarship

To be eligible for a 2-year scholarship, you must:

• Be U.S. citizen
• Have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher
• Pass the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT)
• Have 55 or more earned credit hours and be able to graduate in 2-3 years
• Meet all other requirements listed for the 4-Year Scholarship

In addition to tuition and fees scholarships, Cadets also receive book payments in the amount of $600 each semester. 

Additional ROTC Benefits

The starting salary for a newly commissioned Second Lieutenant (2LT) in the US Army is $55,000-$62,000 (Base Pay, Variable Housing based on location and Subsistence) You can also receive special benefits and pays for Jump Status, as well as Locational and special duty pays as determined by your Branch, Unit and Locality.

Full medical and dental for the Officer, and for your family at a minimal cost.  Additional benefits that can be purchased at no or low cost to the Officer, including Thrift Savings Plan (401K-like), life insurance up to 400K, tuition assistance to earn a masters degree

Additional paid benefits in the form of Cadet Summer Training range from $1200 - $1800 for 30 days.   (CIET - Cadet Initial Entry Training;  CLC – Cadet Leader Course;  CTLT – Cadet Troop Leader Training; CULP – Cultural Understanding and Language Proficiency (If the Cadet is accepted for CULP they can travel to 1 of 30 countries selected throughout the world to immerse themselves in foreign culture and learn a new language)

Additional training opportunities (2 to 3 week courses): Airborne School; Air Assault School; Northern Warfare Course; Jungle Warfare Course.

Benefits Breakdown: In-state / Out of State

Stipends

All Cadets in the Advanced Course (Juniors and Seniors) receive a monthly stipend of $450 and $500 respectively for each of these 2 years (this is not in addition to the stipend provided to scholarship winners), as well as $780 for attending the 32-day Leadership Development and Assessment Course (LDAC). Students attending the Basic Camp of the 2-year program are also paid $780 while attending camp.

Other Military-Affiliated Scholarships

Each academic year Army ROTC offers 2 year graduate (see 2 year scholarship requirements) and Reserve Forces scholarships. Various organizations and other military-related activities make scholarship funds available to students enrolled in Army ROTC. Some of these organizations include:

• United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
• Association of the United States Army (AUSA)
• Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)

VAMortgageCenter.com offers 5 bi-yearly $1,500 scholarships in conjunction with our Military Education Scholarship Program.

Additional supplemental scholarships are also available: ROTC Alumni Scholarships-$5000 annually; ROCKS Scholarship - $2000. For academic scholars: Rhodes scholarship and Fulbright Scholarships.

Eligibility Requirements

• Current and prospective ROTC program students
• Active-duty military personnel with plans to attend college
• Honorably Discharged Veterans of the US military
• Sons and daughters of Veterans or Active-duty military

Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP)

This program provides an opportunity for students who belong to a Reserve or National Guard Unit, as enlisted soldiers to also be members of the Army ROTC Program. MS I and II Cadets are eligible to join a guard or reserve unit; however, only non-scholarship MS IIIs or IVs can hold a SMP slot.

A student accepted for the SMP and the Army ROTC Advanced Course retains affiliation with the Reserve or Guard Unit as an officer trainee and is paid for drills and assemblies plus up to $15,000 a year in monthly stipends of $1,250 each. SMP members are also eligible for certain veterans educational benefits.

Veterans Benefits

Veterans may be eligible to compete for ROTC scholarships, and may also receive any VA benefits to which they would be normally entitled. In addition, veterans who return to active duty as officers may count their prior active duty enlisted time toward longevity pay and retirement.