National Scholarship Program.
Navy and Marine Scholarship NROTC students are selected annually by a national selection board. They are appointed midshipmen at the completion of New Student Indoctrination (NSI) in the U. S. Navy or Marine Corps Reserve and are on inactive duty except while on summer training. Scholarship students receive the benefits provided by law, which include full tuition, uniforms, a book stipend, and a monthly subsistence allowance. Currently, the book stipend is $750 per year and the monthly allowance is as follows: 1st year/ $250, 2nd year/ $300, 3rd year/ $350 and 4th year/ $400. Midshipmen on scholarship will generally complete three summer training sessions. Upon graduation, they will be commissioned as active duty officers in the Navy or Marine Corps, to serve at the pleasure of the President of the United States. Navy Option midshipmen are obligated to serve a minimum of five years active duty after commissioning, while Marine Options must serve a minimum of four years active duty. Additional commitments vary depending on service assignment. Midshipmen attending Rice University may also qualify for a room and board scholarship.
One, Two, or Three Year Scholarship Program (Navy/Nurse Option).
The NROTC One, Two, or Three-Year Scholarship Program is open to any college student (College Program midshipmen or non-affiliated student) with at least 30 college semester hours (45 quarter hours), but no more than 120 college semester hours (180 quarter hours) of credits counting toward their degree, who wishes to compete for Scholarship or Advanced Standing. Only those nominees that are one or two years prior to graduation will be considered for Advanced Standing. Any 1- or 2-Year scholarship nominee who does not get selected for a scholarship will automatically be considered for Advanced Standing. Upon acceptance of appointment, selectees must agree, in writing, to complete all program requirements stipulated in reference (a) for scholarship or Advanced Standing students as appropriate.
Two or Three Year Scholarship Program (Marine Option).
Marine Corps Recruiting Command (MCRC) will convene two selection boards a year (spring and fall) to consider those midshipmen who wish to compete for a Marine Option NROTC Scholarship or Advanced Standing. College Program midshipmen can be considered for scholarship or Advanced Standing after one semester (or equivalent) of observation.
NROTC College Program Basic Course.
This program is offered to college students who wish to serve their country as commissioned officers, but who have not been awarded any form of NROTC Scholarship. College Program Basic students are selected from those who have applied for enrollment at the NROTC unit and sign a contract in which they agree to complete certain Naval Science courses and one summer training period (if selected for Advanced Standing). The Basic Course of the College Program is designed for those students with more than two years of college coursework remaining.
NROTC College Program Advanced Course.
Students are considered to be in Advanced Standing if they are selected by NSTC OD2 or MCRC for Advanced Standing, accepted into the Advanced Course by the PNS, found physically qualified by the Department of Defense Medical Review Board and attend the third year of Naval Science courses. NROTC Advanced Standing includes the third and fourth year of Naval Science courses and 1/C Summer Training. Every student selected for Advanced Standing must enlist in the Naval or Marine Corps Reserve prior to commencing the Advanced Course. The Navy will provide accepted students with uniforms, Naval Science textbooks, and a subsistence allowance for a maximum of 20 months. Upon completion of Naval Science coursework and graduation, Advanced Standing college program students will be commissioned as an Ensign in the Navy or as a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps.
Nurse Corps Program.
The Navy Nurse Corps program is available to students interested in pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (BSN). Upon graduation, Navy Nurse Program midshipmen are commissioned as Regular officers in the Navy Nurse Corps. Nurse NROTC eligibility is the same as the National Scholarship Program requirements. Navy Nurse Corps NROTC scholarship recipients are selected during either the National Scholarship CNSB or during the National 2- or 3-year Scholarship Board. Those interested in a four-year program apply through the National Scholarship Program. Those interested in a 2- or 3-year scholarship in the Navy Nurse Corps Program require a nomination from the local PNS. In the nomination package, the PNS must address the nominee’s nursing school admission status. The Navy Nurse NROTC Program is not for those pursuing any other medical program. Currently, this program is only offered at Houston Christian University within the Houston Consortium at the discretion of NSTC OD.
Extended Benefits.
Scholarship and College Program Students may pursue fields of study requiring up to five years for a baccalaureate degree whose total workload of degree course requirements, Navy specified course requirements, and Naval Science courses exceed a normal four year workload (18 hours/semester). Students in this category may apply for additional tuition and subsistence payments or they may elect to take leaves of absence. Leaves of absence are normally taken in the advanced program. During leaves of absence, financial benefits cease. Midshipmen receiving extended financial benefits will participate in normal drill. Applications for extended benefits for engineering students should be made as early as practical.
Seaman to Admiral 21 (STA-21).
STA-21 is a commissioning program that provides an opportunity for highly motivated enlisted Sailors to earn a commission. STA-21 officer candidates apply for and are accepted by a selection board for placement in specific program options (e.g., Nuclear, Civil Engineer Corps, Special Warfare, etc.). STA-21 officer candidates are assigned to specified NROTC colleges and universities and are required to graduate within 36 months. STA-21 participants retain their enlisted salary and benefits while attending school full time. STA-21 students are designated as Officer Candidates and participate in all unit activities while completing their academic program. STA-21 students retain their enlisted status for pay and advancement purposes, retain all privileges and benefits accruing to active members, and are subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). They wear the Navy uniform with Officer Candidate insignia while a member of the NROTC unit and are addressed as “Officer Candidate.”
Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program (MECEP).
MECEP is a commissioning program for specifically selected enlisted Marine Corps personnel leading to baccalaureate degree and a commission in the Marine Corps. Candidates are selected by an annual board series at MCRC. MECEP students are active duty enlisted Marines who, during their tour of duty under instruction, retain their active duty status. As such, they receive full pay and allowances, retain all privileges and benefits accruing to active members, and are subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). MECEP students wear their Marine enlisted uniform and are referred to by their enlisted rank.
