The Marine Corps just announced the the opening of three scholarships for Fiscal Year 2017; the Marine Option Naval Reserve Officers Training Corp (NROTC) Scholarship, the Frederick C. Branch Leadership Scholarship, and the Pedro Del Valle Leadership Scholarship Program.
The NROTC Scholarship
The NROTC Scholarship Programs provide an education at selected colleges and universities in the United States. Upon graduation and successful completion of Officer Candidates School, a midshipman is appointed a Second Lieutenant in the U. S. Marine Corps. To be eligible for a commission, scholarship students are required to successfully complete Naval Science courses and summer training prescribed by the Commandant of the Marine Corps and the Naval Service Training Command.
Basic eligibility requirements for NROTC Scholarship Applicants:
- Must be a U. S. Citizen
- Be 17 years of age by September 1 of the first year of college and younger than 27 on December 31 of the year in which college graduation and commissioning are anticipated.
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent certificate.
- Be physically qualified and within height-weight standards.
- Personally exemplify and display officer-like qualities and character and have no record of military or civil offenses.
- A score of 74 on the Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT), a composite score of 22 on the American College Test (ACT), or a combined score of 1000 in Math and Evidence Based Reading on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). SAT scores must be from the same test. ACT and SAT scores must be from the most recent test. No waivers for test scores are authorized.
- Meet admission requirements of an NROTC affiliated college or university of choice.
- Cannot have more than 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours of college credits at the time the application is submitted.
- Time in Service: Active Duty or Reserve Marines must have at least one (1) year Time in Service as of 1 October 2016. This requirement is not waivable.
The Frederick C. Branch Leadership Scholarship
The Frederick C. Branch Leadership Scholarship is named in honor of the first African American Marine Corps officer who was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on 10 November 1945. It is available at 17 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU):
- Allen University
- Clark Atlanta University
- Dillard University
- Florida A and M University
- Hampton University
- Howard University
- Huston-Tillotson University
- Morehouse College
- Norfolk State University
- Prairie View A and M University
- Savannah State University
- Spelman College
- Southern University A and M College
- Tennessee State University
- Texas Southern University
- Tuskegee University
- Xavier University
The Pedro Del Valle Leadership Scholarship
The Pedro Del Valle Leadership Scholarship is named in honor of the first Hispanic Marine Corps Lieutenant General. It is available at three Hispanic Serving Institutes (HSI):
- California State University at San Marcos
- University of New Mexico
- San Diego State University.
Scholarship Details
All scholarships pay full tuition, instructional (academic) fees, provide uniforms, and an initial subsistence allowance of $250 per month for freshmen. The subsistence allowance increases as midshipmen progress through the academic years. The scholarships also provide an annual book stipend which will be paid after the Fall term has started. Marines must pay for room, board, and all other personal expenses.
Applicants must contact the VA and Base Education Office regarding entitlement to the G.I. Bill if selected for the NROTC Program. Marines awarded scholarships are released to the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) and all pays and allowances stop the day before classes begin.
Interested Marines should contact their career retention specialist or education officer for further information.
