NROTC Frequently Asked Questions

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What are the eligibility requirements for a Four Year National Scholarship? 

a. Citizenship. U. S. born or naturalized citizen

b. Age. Not less than 17 years of age by 1 September of the year starting college and no more than 23 years of age on 30 June of that year

 (1) Must not reach their 27th birthday by 30 June of the year in

    which graduation and commissioning are anticipated.

 (2) Applicants with prior military service may be eligible for

    age adjustments equal to their prior service, on a month-by-

    month basis, for a maximum of 36 months, provided they do not

    reach their 30th birthday by 30 June of the year graduation

    and commissioning are anticipated.

c. Education. Must have a high school diploma or equivalency certificate by 1 August of the year of entrance into the four-year scholarship program

d. Academic. Applicants must achieve the following qualifying scores on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), American College Test (ACT), or meet the following requirements:

(1) Navy/Navy Nurse:

(a) SAT: 530 Critical Reading; 520 Math

(b) ACT: 22 Verbal; 21 Math

(c) For application purposes, NSTC will evaluate candidates

    based on the highest score in each individual category

    if the applicant elects to take these tests multiple

    times.

(d) If applicants do not meet the minimum ACT/SAT scores,

    they must be in the top 10% of their graduating class

    to qualify for a scholarship.

(2) Marine:

      (a) SAT: 1000 Composite

      (b) ACT: 22 Composite

      (c) Scores will be taken from the MOST RECENT test.

e. Physical. This is not required during the selection process; however, the applicant must be certified as physically qualified for naval service before the scholarship can be activated.

 Note: Candidates must meet height and weight standards in accordance with OPNAVINST 6110.1 in order to be considered eligible for the NROTC Program. An applicant that is out of standards must be addressed in the Officer Interview.

f. Conscientious Objector. No moral obligations or personal convictions that prevent conscientious bearing of arms and supporting and defending the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic.

g. Admission to a college/university with an NROTC unit. This is not required during the selection process, but notification of admission must be received before the scholarship can be activated.

h. Nurse Option. Applicants with Nurse Option must gain admission to a university that has a NROTC affiliation and offers a State approved or National League of Nursing (NLN) approved bachelor’s degree in nursing.

 

What are the height and weight standards to be considered for an NROTC scholarship?

 

Men Maximum Weight (pounds)	Member’s Height (inches) (fractions rounded up to the nearest whole inch)	Women Maximum Weight (pounds)
97	51	102
102	52	106
107	53	110
112	54	114
117	55	118
122	56	123
127	57	127
131	58	131
136	59	136
141	60	141
145	61	145
150	62	149
155	63	152
160	64	156
165	65	160
170	66	163
175	67	167
181	68	170
186	69	174
191	70	177
196	71	181
201	72	185
206	73	189
211	74	194
216	75	200
221	76	205
226	77	211
231	78	216
236	79	222
241	80	227
246	81	233
251	82	239
256	83	245
261	84	251
266	85	257
271	86	263

What must I do to prepare a strong, competitive application?

   To prepare a strong package:

      - earn the best GPA, be in the top ten percent of your class

      - earn a high score on the SAT/ACT

      - participate in extracurricular activities (such as NJROTC or Boy Scouts)

      - participate in sports

      - be selected for leadership positions (such as NJROTC Battalion Commanding Officer, Team Captain of your sport, Class President/Vice President, etc)

      - volunteer for community service/tutoring/coaching (keep a tally of your total hours)

      - APPLY BEFORE THE FIRST BOARD CONVENES (info below).

When you fill out your application, make sure you answer ALL questions (even the ones labeled "optional").  Project what you intend to accomplish as a Senior and indicate that on your application appropriately.  Also, keep in mind that the board members want to know why you want to become a Naval Officer and lead men and women at sea, NOT why you want a scholarship.  Additionally, use the remarks/comments sections to expound in detail on your accomplishments and what you learned from those accomplishments.  The board members want to know you as a person and not just a piece of paper, and the remarks sections allow you to show them who you truly are.

What are my options if I have greater than 30 credit hours? 

If you already have 30+ credit hours or will have 30+ credit hours at the end of this semester and would like to pursue a scholarship with the NROTC program, you should contact the NROTC Unit at the college/university you wish to attend.  They can inform you about the 2 Year National Scholarship, Side Loaded Scholarships, the Tweeddale Scholarship and the College Program option.

If you decide not to attend an NROTC college/university, you can still receive a commission in the Navy by contacting a local Naval Officer Recruiter from the website http://www.navy.com/navy/locator.html and completing Officer Candidate School (OCS).  You can get more information on OCS at https://www.netc.navy.mil/nstc/otcn/index.htm.  Additionally, the Officer Recruiter in your local area has other AMAZING commissioning programs such as the Nuclear Propulsion Officer Candidate Scholarship (NUPOC) and the Baccalaureate Degree Completion Program (BDCP).  More information is available at http://www.navy-officer.com/scholarships.html and www.navynupoc.blogspot.com.

 

Will the NROTC program pay for my Graduate Degree? 

I recommend that you go to http://www.navy.com/officer and look at the options the Navy has to offer.  You can receive a commission in the Navy through Officer Candidate School (OCS) by contacting a local Naval Officer Recruiter from the website above.  More information on OCS is available at https://www.netc.navy.mil/nstc/otcn/index.htm.

By serving as an active duty commissioned officer, you can receive money for your graduate degree from the Navy in the form of tuition assistance and the Post 9/11 GI Bill.  Additionally, the Navy provides opportunities for active duty officers to receive a master's degree through multiple Graduate Education Programs.  You can read more about these programs at http://www.npc.navy.mil/Officer/SurfaceWarfare/BattleAdmin/Graduate+Education+Programs.htm.

Why wasn’t I selected for a scholarship? 

Your application was competitive. 

We have thousands of qualified applicants, and selection criteria are based on many variables which change from year to year.  Additionally, the economy has both directly and indirectly affected our production goals through a reduced budget and a reduction in attrition, respectively.  Generally, we expect a certain amount of scholarship students currently in the NROTC program to drop on request or to have their scholarship withdrawn because of poor academics, inadequate performance, or unbecoming character.  However, the security in having a source of income and exceptional benefits as an active military officer has influenced our scholarship students to work hard to maintain their scholarships.  So, with increased competition and reduced production goals this year, board members were challenged with making tough decisions to select the most qualified potential Naval Officers.  Unfortunately, this results in a number of excellent candidates not receiving a scholarship nomination.

If you would still like to pursue a scholarship with the NROTC program, you should contact the NROTC Unit at the college/university you wish to attend.  They can inform you about becoming a College Programmer, Side Loaded Scholarships, the Tweeddale Scholarship, and the 2 Year National Scholarship.

I was not selected for a scholarship this year and will begin college this fall.  What do you recommend if I still want to be considered for an NROTC scholarship?

You can contact the NROTC Unit at the college/university you will be attending to discuss other NROTC opportunities.  You can click on the college/university's NROTC link from our website, https://www.nrotc.navy.mil/colleges_nrotc_unitsXP3.aspx, to obtain a point of contact.

For non-selects, I recommend the following options for the best chance to receive an NROTC scholarship:

      1.  If you still intend on declaring an engineering or technical major, begin school at the NROTC affiliated university you would like to attend.  DO NOT join NROTC as a College Programmer (see NOTE below).  During the first freshman semester, include the first freshman Naval Science course and a calculus or calculus based course in your degree plan.  (You can still sign up for Naval Science courses even though you will not be a member of NROTC.)  Once you successfully complete your first semester, discuss applying for the Tweeddale Scholarship with the NROTC Unit.

      2.  Apply NOW for the Fall 2011 Four Year National Scholarship, and make sure it gets to us before the first board convenes in August.  The online application is now available.  Begin school at the NROTC affiliated university you would like to attend.  DO NOT join NROTC as a College Programmer (see NOTE below).  During the first freshman semester, include the first freshman Naval Science course and a calculus or calculus based course in your degree plan.

      NOTE:  This is directly from our Regulations for Officer Development and explains why not to join NROTC as a College Programmer if you choose one of the above options.  "NROTC applicants who have been nominated for an NROTC scholarship but enroll in a service academy, a state maritime academy, an ROTC program, or any other officer-type training program, are not eligible for that scholarship.  They must reapply the following year.  College Program candidates who have previously enrolled in a service academy, a state maritime academy, an ROTC program, or any other officer-type training program, may not enroll in the NROTC College Program without specific written approval from OD.  These individuals are not eligible for immediate scholarship benefits through programs such as the Tweeddale or HBCU Scholarship programs.  They may be nominated for an OD Controlled Scholarship after all nomination requirements have been met.  A written request endorsed by the PNS with a Record of Disenrollment from OC-Type Training (DD-785) from the previous officer-training program is required.  Applicants disenrolled for aptitude or disciplinary reasons, or "not recommended for future officer programs" should not apply."

However, if you really want to be a part of NROTC all four years, you should contact the NROTC unit at the university you will be attending to discuss the College Program Option.  As a College Programmer though, you are only eligible to apply for Officer Development (OD) controlled scholarships, e.g. The Leadership Scholarship and Side Load Scholarships.  Each NROTC unit is only allowed to give one Leadership Scholarship per year, and Side Load Scholarships are extremely slim due to direct and indirect effects of the economy.  Ultimately, it is your choice for the type of college experience you want to have.

Either way, contact the NROTC Unit at the university you attend to discuss your intentions.  That way, they know what to expect and when, and they can be ready.

Additionally, the Officer Recruiter has other AMAZING commissioning programs such as the Nuclear Propulsion Officer Candidate Scholarship (NUPOC) and the Baccalaureate Degree Completion Program (BDCP).  To discuss these options, you can find contact information for your local Officer Recruiter at http://www.navy.com/navy/locator.html.  Call the phone number under “OFFICER”.

What does an NROTC scholarship pay for?

An NROTC scholarship will pay for tuition, fees, books, and uniforms.  Additionally, you will receive a monthly stipend: Freshman - $250, Sophomore - $300, Junior - $350, and Senior - $400.

Will my NROTC scholarship pay for room and board? 

Your scholarship does not pay for room and board or meals.  Our scholarship covers tuition, fees, books, and uniforms.  Additionally, our scholarship students receive a monthly stipend of $250 as a Freshman, $300 as a Sophomore, $350 as a Junior, and $400 as a Senior.

You should contact the college/university to see if they offer any assistance, grants and/or additional scholarships that will cover expenses which your scholarship does not.

What are my options if I want to attend a college/university that is not affiliated with NROTC? 

I apologize for any misunderstanding, but you will not be able to attend a non-NROTC school and still participate in the NROTC program. 

If you decide not to attend an NROTC college/university, you can still receive a commission in the Navy by contacting a local Naval Officer Recruiter from the website http://www.navy.com/officer and completing Officer Candidate School (OCS).  You can get more information on OCS at https://www.netc.navy.mil/nstc/otcn/index.htm.

Additionally, the Officer Recruiter in your local area has other AMAZING commissioning programs such as the Nuclear Propulsion Officer Candidate Scholarship (NUPOC) and the Baccalaureate Degree Completion Program (BDCP).  More information is available at http://www.navy-officer.com/scholarships.html and www.navynupoc.blogspot.com.

Could you please tell me more about LREC? 

If you are interested in the Language, Regional Expertise, and Culture (LREC) Academic Program, you should focus on one of the regional and cultural areas listed below when selecting an LREC academic major.

Regional/Cultural Areas:

(a) Africa

1. Sub-Sahara

2. North Africa

(b) Central Asia

(c) East Asia/China

(d) Middle/Central/Latin America

(e) Middle East

(f) South Asia

(g) Southeast Asia

(h) Southwest Asia

(i) Russia/Eastern Europe

b. You should also focus on one of the languages listed below when selecting an LREC academic major.

Foreign Languages:

Arabic                        Pashto

Cambodian                     Persian

Central Asian Languages       Portuguese

Chinese                       Russian

Dari                          Serbo-Croatian

Farsi                         Somali

French                        Spanish

Hebrew                        Swahili

Hindi                         Tagalog

Indonesian                    Thai

Japanese                      Turkish

Kurdish                       Urdu

Malay                         Vietnamese

Under the LREC program, you will be listed as tier 3 major and will still need to select an unrestricted line community to be commissioned in.  You then follow the same career progression and assignments as all other personnel associated with that community.  However, you will be categorized as an LREC officer to possibly be called upon in the future for your language/cultural expertise.

I have been selected for a scholarship.  Can I change my major? 

Now that you have been selected, you must request this change through the NROTC unit at which you were placed.  It will not be a problem to go from tier 1 to tier 2.

I have been selected for a scholarship and would like to change my major from a tier 1 or 2 to a tier 3.  How can I do that (as a selectee)? 

You can formally request to change your major from a tier 1 or 2 to a tier 3; however, this requested change of tier will cause us to rescind your current scholarship offer.  Our scholarships are given based on the major/tier fields that applicants list on their applications at the time of selection.  Tier 1 majors can request changing to a tier 2 major without losing their scholarship, but a change from a tier 1 or 2 major to a tier 3 major results in a scholarship loss.

If you decide to go ahead with the change request to a tier 3, your scholarship will go before a new selection board to be reviewed in order to award you with a tier 3 major vice a tier 1 or 2.  Please understand, though, that most of our scholarships are granted for tier 1 and tier 2 majors.

If you would still like to proceed with the change of major, please send your change of major request to pnsc_nrotc_cgo@navy.mil.

I was selected for a scholarship and placed at SCHOOL “A”.  However, I did not get accepted to SCHOOL “A”.  What do I do now?

OR

I was selected for a scholarship and placed at SCHOOL “A” but would like to request placement at SCHOOL “B”.  What should I do? 

Now that you have been selected, you must contact the Placement Officer at pnsc_nrotc.placement@navy.mil to explain your situation and request the school change.

I am interested in becoming a Navy JAG officer.  Can I do that through NROTC? 

Thank you very much for your interest in the NROTC program, but currently the NROTC program does not commission JAG officers.  If you are interested in become a JAG officer, please contact the JAG Corps at 901-874-4084 or 901-874-4087 or call 1-800-USA-NAVY to get in touch with an officer recruiter.  More information on the JAG Corps is available at http://www.jag.navy.mil/careers/.

Will NROTC pay for medical school? 

You cannot go directly to medical school with an NROTC scholarship.  However, the Navy offers the Health Professions Scholarship Program which you could apply for during your junior year of college as a scholarship midshipman.  We only give 25 of these scholarships a year.

For more information regarding this competitive program, you can visit the website at http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/navmedmpte/accessions/Pages/HealthProfessionsScholarshipProgram_Prospective.aspx or contact our Medical Officer at 1-800-NAV-ROTC ext. 29388 or pnsc_nrotc_medical@navy.mil.

Will my affiliation with NROTC as a midshipman count towards time in service for retirement purposes? 

No.  The period of time served in the NROTC Scholarship or College Program shall not be counted in computing longevity, retirement eligibility, retired pay, or for any purpose in computing the length of service of any officer of the Armed Forces.

I am a reservist.  Can I apply for College Program Option?

All NROTC Program midshipmen must be released from their present enlistment contract and terminate their affiliation with drilling reserve units, except for College Program midshipmen in the basic course (i.e. freshman and sophomore years).  College Program midshipmen in the basic course may continue their affiliation with a drilling reserve unit until eligible for benefits upon enrollment in advanced standing (junior and senior years).  Members of reserve components must be conditionally released (DD368) from their present enlistment contract and enlisted under the provisions of the NROTC Program to facilitate Scholarship or College Program (Advanced Standing) enrollment.  They may be enrolled as Naval Science students pending discharge from such status.

The period of time served in the NROTC Scholarship or College Program shall not be counted in computing longevity, retirement eligibility, retired pay, or for any purpose in computing the length of service of any officer of the Armed Forces.

NROTC Scholarship or College Program midshipmen in advanced standing may not simultaneously be a member of another officer accession program as set forth in Section 12209, Title 10, United States Code, e.g., Marine Corps Platoon Leader's Course (PLC), Merchant Marine/U.S. Naval Reserve Midshipman Program, Aviation Reserve OC Program, etc.

So, basically, you must be conditionally released from your contract with the reserves before you begin receiving any money from the NROTC program.

 

When will I hear about the results of scholarship selection? 

Thank you very much for your inquiry regarding NROTC board selection.  Unfortunately, we do not discuss any applicant's status at anytime during the selection process until a final decision has been made due to the fact that our scholarship selection cycle is not completed. 

Our selection boards meet monthly to ensure timely selection for applicants.  If you are not selected, your application will then "roll" to the next board.  This will continue to occur until the end of board selections in April.  Applicants who are not selected will then be notified.  However, you may currently be selected and will soon be informed.

Your acceptance to a college or university has no weight on a board's decision to select you or not. 

Should we need any amplifying information from you, we will contact you by one of the available means listed on your application or through your NROTC coordinator.

Please be patient as we have many applicants.  I understand that it can be anxious and stressful while awaiting results, but please check your online application status at the NROTC website periodically for any updates. 

I was selected for a scholarship but my acceptance questionnaire doesn’t list my cross-town affiliated school.  It only lists the host school.  Can I still go to the cross-town affiliated school? 

You have requested a school which is a cross-town affiliate of the university where the NROTC Unit is located.  This university is called the host unit.  You will only see the host unit on your acceptance questionnaire, however you can rest assured that your requested school has been noted in your record.

The scholarship money is sent to the host school’s unit and the host unit pays the cross-town affiliated school you are attending.

What do I need to score on the ACT/SAT to qualify for a scholarship? 

Qualifying ACT/SAT scores for both Navy and Navy Nurse options are as follows:

ACT: 22 - English

     21 - Math

SAT: 530 - Critical Reading

     520 – Math

Additionally, we “superscore” your tests for Navy and Navy Nurse meaning that we take your highest score from either the SAT or ACT in Math and you highest score in English/Critical Reading for the past two years to achieve the best score possible.  So, it is best to have both exams.  If you do not meet those scores, we encourage you to retake both tests.

Note: If you do not meet these scores, you must be in the top 10% of your graduating class in order to be considered for a Four Year National Scholarship.

Qualifying ACT/SAT scores for Marine option applicants are taken from the MOST RECENT test and are as follows:

ACT: 22 - Composite

SAT: 1000 – Composite

If I am selected for a scholarship and placed at a university of my choices, will that better my chances of being accepted to that university? 

I apologize for any confusion, but being selected for an NROTC Scholarship does not have any effect on whether you are accepted to a university or college.  It is up to the applicant to apply to all the schools listed on the NROTC application.  It is up to the school to accept you for admittance.  The scholarship itself has no weight with the admissions office.  If you are having difficulties getting into a particular school, you can call the school’s NROTC Unit Freshman advisor to see if he/she can be of any assistance with the admissions office.

What classes do I have to take in college to be in NROTC?

 

NROTC-SPECIFIED COURSES

Courses	Year normally completed	Minimum Semester Hours	USN Scholar -ship	USMC Scholar -ship	USN College  Program	USMC College Program	Navy Nurse
Calculus	Freshman or Sophomore	6	R	A	A	A	R*
Physics	Sophomore or Junior	6	R	A	A	A	R*
College Algebra or Advanced Trig	Freshman through Junior	6	--	--	R	A	R*
Physical Science	Freshman through Senior	6	--	--	R	A	R*
American History or National Security Policy	Freshman through Senior	3	R	R	R	R	R*
World Culture and Regional Studies	Freshman through Senior	3	R	A	R	A	R*
English	Freshman or Sophomore	6	R	A	R	A	R

      R = required

      A = advised to ease change to USN scholarship status

      N = not required by Navy

      R*= May be required by specific program authorization

 

NAVAL SCIENCE COURSES

Courses	Year normally completed	USN Scholarship	USMC Scholarship	USN College  Program	USMC College Program	Navy Nurse
Intro to Naval Science	Freshman	R	R	R	R	R
Sea Power and Maritime Affairs	Freshman	R	R	R	R	R
Leadership and Management	Sophomore	R	R	R	R	R
Navigation	Sophomore	R	N	R	N	N
Engineering	Junior	R	N	R	N	N
Weapons	Junior	R	N	R	N	N
Naval Operations & Seamanship	Senior	R	N	R	N	N
Leadership and Ethics	Senior	R	R	R	R	R
Evolution of Warfare	Sophomore / Junior	N	R	N	R	N
Amphibious Warfare	Junior / Senior	N	R	N	R	N
Naval Science Laboratory	All years	R	R	R	R	R

      R = required

      N = not required

What is the NROTC Schedule like in college?

While Vanderbilt University NROTC unit operations vary, you can expect to drill for two hours twice a week and perform physical training as a battalion.  Drill may include general military training (GMT), personnel inspections, formation commands, marching, or fun events to build camaraderie.  If you choose to participate in a competing team (such as drill team, rifle/pistol team, sail team, etc), you can expect to spend more time with your teammates.  Additionally, our NROTC unit has made arrangements with the university to earn money for the unit which in turn can be used to send teams to distant competitions or for the fun events previously mentioned. 

Do I have to major in a specific subject to get the scholarship?

You do not have to major in a specific subject to obtain an NROTC scholarship.  However, I would like to discuss with you some additional information about majors.  Our majors are categorized into 3 tiers.  Majors in the tier 1 and tier 2 categories are engineering/technical majors.  It follows that all other majors, non-engineering/non-technical majors, are tier 3.  The majority of our scholarships are awarded to tier 1 and 2 majors.  If your intended major is a tier 3, your chances of selection will significantly decrease.

Can I do any job that I want in the Navy after I’m commissioned?

The mission of our NROTC program is to commission unrestricted line officers (i.e. Surface Warfare, Submarines, Nuclear Propulsion, Pilot, Naval Flight Officer, Special Warfare and Explosive Ordinance Disposal).  These officers are the tactical leaders of the fleet and eventually become our Commanding Officers of ships, squadrons and battalions; Commodores of Surface Combatant Squadrons; Carrier Air Group Commanders; and, eventually, Admirals.  So, if you want to eventually take command of a ship, squadron, battalion, carrier air group, strike group or fleet, NROTC Navy option is the program for you.

What service obligation to I incur upon graduation/commissioning? 

Navy option midshipmen incur a 5 year active duty service obligation.  Navy Nurse and Marine option midshipmen owe 4 years of active service.

If I drop out of NROTC do I have to pay anything back?

This depends upon when you drop. If you drop prior to obligating at the beginning of your sophomore year, then “no”. If you drop after you fully obligate, then “yes”, either monetarily or with enlisted service time.

Does the Navy pay my travel expenses to school? Back home for holidays?

You will be reimbursed for the expenses of your initial travel to your assigned NROTC Unit as it is considered official travel.  However, you are not entitled for reimbursement of personal travel.

 

Can I switch from Navy to Marine Option and vice versa?

Yes, you can request to switch options during the application process by sending an email to pnsc_nrotc_applications@navy.mil.  Once the change has been made in the computer, you must redo the two essay questions and get an English teacher evaluation (if switching to Marine) or a Math teacher evaluation (if switching to Navy) unless you already have one.  If you need a blank teacher evaluation form, you can request one from the above email.  You need to get the evaluation and essays redone ASAP.  You can fax the evaluation to (850)452-2486 when completed.

 

If you are ultimately awarded a scholarship, you can also formally request to switch through your NROTC unit, but it is not always approved.  It is best to have your mind made up prior to submitting the initial application.

I have no knowledge of the military, how will I know if I am going to like it?

This is the reason for letting you perform with the Unit for a full Freshman year prior to requiring you to fully obligate.

What do I do during the summer?

Summer Midshipmen Training Cruises.

Can I belong to a fraternity/sorority?

Yes, many of our students are involved in Fraternities/Soroities. However, you cannot be involved in any activity that would bring discredit to the U.S. Navy or the NROTC program.

Can I transfer from my current NROTC Unit to another University?

You must formally request the transfer through your current NROTC unit.  Your NROTC unit (as well as the receiving NROTC unit) must submit the transfer request to NSTC OD4.  The cost of the tuition at the receiving school must be close to, preferably less than, the cost of your current school.  If there is a large rise in tuition at the receiving school, the transfer request will probably be denied. 

The enrollment deadline is May 1, but the results of the last Selection Board will not be released until after the enrollment deadline.  Should I pay my child’s enrollment fee deadline passes just in case he is selected and placed there? 

I recommend you call the university’s admissions office to attempt to negotiate a one or two week extension due to the extenuating circumstance of waiting for an NROTC scholarship notification.  If an extension is not granted, you will be forced to make the financial decision about securing an enrollment spot without knowing the NROTC selection board results.