Funding Opportunities

Morgan State University ROTC offers amongst the highest financial aid packages compared to other ROTC programs nationwide. Our program is dedicated to ensuring student persistence, retention, and success. Many funding and scholarship opportunities are available. Our transparency with students is the reason why we are routinely successful. We hope this information helps you navigate this subject.

We understand that researching scholarships and other funds is often intimidating and complex. We have divided this page into two categories: non-contract binding opportunities and contract-binding opportunities. If you are interested in any of these opportunities and are a current Morgan State University student, a high-school student, or a parent/guardian of a high-school student, please contact our Recruiting Operations Officer, Mr. Leon Carr, at leon.carr@morgan.edu and 443-885-3264. We will be happy to explain the details of these programs.

Before we begin, here are five critical questions you should ask us or anyone else when discussing and choosing between any ROTC scholarships or benefits:

1. Does accepting this money bind me to a contract?
2. What GPA and/or other requirements do I need for this scholarship? What is the average competitive GPA you currently see for this round of applicants?
3. How many scholarship slots are specifically available for this round of applicants? Am I likely to receive this scholarship? How many scholarship slots are specifically available for the other types of scholarship options?
4. Does accepting this scholarship lock me into a specific Army component (Active Duty, National Guard, Army Reserve)?
5. Based on my current or projected college bill, what exactly does this scholarship cover in terms of "tuition and fees" or "room and board"? Recognizing that most scholarships only pay "tuition and fees" or "room and board", will Morgan State ROTC authorize additional grants/funds to cover bills that this scholarship does not cover?

Grants and Funds Specific to ROTC Students (Not Scholarship and Non-Contract Binding)

Bridge Grant (Room and Board)

Each semester, subject to Morgan State University's budget, students who are enrolled in ROTC classes may receive partial- or full-funding for Morgan State room and board.

The Bridge Grant is awarded to outstanding ROTC students by the Department of Military Science on a merit basis. Students who demonstrate exceptional participation and involvement in ROTC are nominated before the following semester for the grant.

A student is eligible for the Bridge Grant if they:

• are enrolled full-time at Morgan State University as an undergraduate or graduate student
• are an actively participating member of the ROTC program during classes, labs, physical training, and field training exercises
• have been determined to be eligible for in-State tuition by the institution
• have been approved for Morgan State room and board for the upcoming semester and received an invoice for room and board
• file their request prior to the start of the semester they apply for the grant

Students must continue to demonstrate active participation in ROTC classes, labs, physical training, field training exercises, and events to continue to receive the Bridge Grant.

2LT Richard W. Collins III Leadership with Honor Scholarship

In an effort to preserve the legacy of 2LT Richard W. Collins III, the State of Maryland has launched a $1 million annual scholarship fund to help students gain a quality education and excellent leadership skills to meet their professional goals.

Eligibility:

Funds are available to full-time undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at one of Maryland’s three historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs): Morgan State University, Coppin State University, and Bowie State University.

Applicants must also be:

• a U.S. citizen
• a Maryland resident
• a minority student
• a full-time student (undergraduate or graduate) for the applied-for semester
• enrolled in an ROTC class at Morgan State University for the applied-for semester
• complete with their FAFSA application for the applied-for semester

Application Process:

1. Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or submit the Maryland State Financial Aid Application through the Maryland College Aid Processing Portal if you are ineligible to receive federal aid, but are eligible for in-state tuition by July 1, 2024.
2. For best consideration, apply by March 15, 2024. Applicants must upload some of their own documents. The final application deadline is July 1, 2024.
3. Complete the scholarship application through MDCAPS.
4. Submit the Richard W. Collins III Leadership with Honor Scholarship 2024-2025 Institutional Verification Form to Mr. Leon Carr at leon.carr@morgan.edu.
5. Submit documentation to the Morgan State Army ROTC that you are a minority student.

Award Amount:

Scholarship amounts vary based on the financial need of each student, which is determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Recipients will receive a minimum award of $500 per semester. 

Army Scholarships (Contract-Binding)

Many two-, three-, or four-year merit-based Army scholarships are available in many different forms. You may apply for these scholarships as a current Morgan State University student or a prospective student at the high school level. Some of these scholarships may also include incentives such as a guaranteed Army component upon graduation, room and board, funds for books and supplies, and a monthly stipend. There are many scholarship opportunities. Do not disqualify yourself!

Students may be offered scholarships conditionally while awaiting final determination of eligibility. (The most common reason for such conditional offers is the scheduling of medical examinations and the resolution of potential medical disqualifiers). Students must meet the general criteria listed below to be eligible for an Army ROTC two-, three-, or four-year merit scholarship at Morgan State University.

Eligibility Requirements

• Be a citizen of the United States
• Be at least seventeen years of age by October 1 of the year of enrollment as a scholarship cadet
• Be under twenty-seven years of age on June 30 of the calendar year in which eligible for appointment as a second lieutenant
• Satisfactorily explain any record of arrest and/or civil conviction (no felony convictions)
• Pass a medical exam reviewed by the DoD Medical Examination and Review Board
• Pass an Army Combat Fitness Test
• Have minimum qualifying SAT/ACT scores: SAT: 920 composite ACT: 19 composite
• Be a high school graduate or possess an equivalent certificate
• Be accepted for enrollment by the Morgan State University Admissions Office
• Have at least two academic years remaining at Morgan State University (may include graduate study)
• Two-year and three-year scholarship applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or greater
• Agree to accept a commission as an officer in the Regular Army, Army National Guard, or Army Reserve
• Pursue a Department of the Army-approved academic discipline
• Have no moral obligations or personal conviction that will prevent you from:
  • Supporting and defending the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic
  • Conscientiously bearing arms

Types of Scholarships

ROTC scholarships are often complex to understand. Financially, most are extremely similar. However, application criteria and availability change each year. By arming yourself with the following information, you can maximize your chances of getting college paid for. It is very possible to receive these scholarships! Do not disqualify yourself! Most students disqualify themselves from these scholarships because they are intimidated by the lack of available information. Students and parents, feel free to call or come to us at our location for any questions.

Please use the information below to see which scholarships fit your higher education and career goals. First, it is important to understand that some, but not all, scholarships may guarantee or lock you into a specific Army component upon graduation and commissioning. These components are Active Duty, National Guard, and Army Reserve. Locking in a specific Army component may benefit students who seek to guarantee part-time service upon graduation while simultaneously pursuing civilian career goals or graduate/postgraduate education. In addition, choosing part-time service in the National Guard or Army Reserve may enable graduates to pinpoint specific states where they want to work after graduation.

Advanced Designee / National Scholarships

These scholarships are commonly referred to as National ROTC scholarships or Advanced Designee scholarships. You may hear the terms, "4AD", "3AD", or "2AD".

A "4AD" is a four-year Advanced Designee National scholarship. Students must apply for this scholarship between February of their junior year and January 10^th of their senior year.  Cadet Command awards scholarships to the most qualified applicants. 

A "3AD" is a three-year Advanced Designee National scholarship. 3AD scholarships are given to certain qualified applicants who do not receive a four-year AD scholarship. This scholarship provides the same incentives as the four-year scholarship, but the benefits do not begin until the first day of the sophomore year. Students must apply for this scholarship as soon as possible during their first year at Morgan State ROTC. Applications must be started no later than the March before the semester you are applying to.

A "2AD" is a two-year Advanced Designee National scholarship. 2AD scholarships are given to certain qualified applicants who do not receive a four- or three-year AD scholarship. This scholarship provides the same incentives as the four- and three-year scholarships, but the benefits do not begin until the first day of the junior year. Students must apply for this scholarship as soon as possible during their sophomore year at Morgan State ROTC. Applications must be started no later than the March before the semester you are applying to.

Your acceptance of the scholarship means a future service obligation of eight years of Army service, with requirements for active duty in the Army and/or serving in the Army Reserve or Army National Guard, depending on the scholarship. You may be eligible to serve part-time in the Army Reserve or Army National Guard while pursuing a civilian career immediately after graduation, even if you accept an Advanced Designee National scholarship.

Application forms, updated annual timelines, and details for all Advanced Designee National Scholarships are located here.

Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty (GRFD) Minuteman Scholarships

Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty (GFRD) scholarships, sometimes called Minuteman scholarships, come in two variations. Sometimes, these terms are used interchangeably. The titles are often confusing. In short, these variations guarantee and lock you into either the National Guard or Reserve components upon graduation and commissioning. Which scholarship you choose depends on your higher education and career goals.  For more info, please click on the links below. Let's break down these scholarships into the National Guard and Reserve Components:

Scholarships that Guarantee / Lock You into the National Guard

National Guard Reserve Forces Duty (GFRD) Scholarship. The GRFD scholarship is mainly for students entering their junior year of college. GRFD scholarships are available for up to two years and allow simultaneous use with the Chapter 1606/MGIB-SR or Chapter 1607/REAP GI Bills. GRFD recipients (dedicated or not) can choose either full tuition and fees or room and board (flat rate of $10,000 per year) and receive $1,200 for books. They are given an ROTC allowance for 10 months of the year at $420 per month. As a member of the Guard, they will also receive drill pay. To receive one of these scholarships, you must be involved in the Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP) with a National Guard unit while in school and have a letter of acceptance from a local Guard unit stating that they will accept you in an SMP status. Following graduation, cadets begin a new Military Service Obligation (MSO) contract and serve eight years in the Guard, which includes training.

Dedicated Army National Guard (DEDNG) Scholarship. The DEDNG scholarship is available for up to four years but does not allow simultaneous use with the Chapter 1606/MGIB-SR or Chapter 1607/REAP GI Bills. Recipients receive full tuition or full room and board (flat rate of $10,000 per year), plus up to $1,200 for books, and are paid a monthly stipend of $420 for 10 months each year. In addition to a monthly allowance, they can also receive the drill pay of a sergeant, approximately $319 per month, when they participate in the SMP. To receive one of these scholarships, you must be involved in the Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP) with a National Guard unit while in school and have a letter of acceptance from a local Guard unit stating that they will accept you in an SMP status. Following graduation, cadets begin a new Military Service Obligation (MSO) contract and serve eight years in the Guard, which includes training.

Minuteman Scholarships can be either two-year GRFD scholarships or DEDNG-GRFD scholarships that cover up to four years. They guarantee that Cadets who commission as Army Officers will serve in the National Guard. A Minuteman Scholarship requires a nomination letter as part of the scholarship packet and offers either full tuition and mandatory fees or a room and board flat rate of $10,000 per year, covering up to four years (or eight semesters) of benefits. Minuteman Scholarship recipients also receive a $1,200 annual book allowance and a monthly stipend of $420 for 10 months of the academic year. Minuteman Scholarship Cadets must participate in the SMP while attending college, so they will also receive pay for attending a drill one weekend per month and a two-week annual training in a local Guard unit. In return for these scholarship benefits, a Minuteman Cadet will serve as a Commissioned Officer in the Guard in a drilling status for eight years after graduation.

Scholarships that Guarantee / Lock You into the Army Reserve

Army Reserve Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty (GRFD) Minuteman Scholarships. The Minuteman Campaign is a U.S. Army Cadet Command initiative to offer Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty (GRFD) scholarships to candidates who 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. 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.

Types of Army Reserve Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty (GRFD) Minuteman scholarships include:

• 4-year: Only awarded to incoming college freshmen attending a host ROTC program. Recipients must attend a State or public university. 
• 3-year: Typically awarded to an incoming college sophomore. This scholarship pays up to 3 years of benefits provided the applicant successfully meets the requirements to contract. Awardees may attend any public, State or private university while enrolled in ROTC. ​​
• 2-year: This scholarship is awarded to incoming college juniors or Graduate students. This benefit will pay up to the last 2 years at a private, public or State university if awardee has successfully met the requirements to contract.
• Minuteman recipients also participate in the Simultaneous Membership Program, which gives them experience with an Army Reserve unit while earning additional income.

Snapshot in History

Jared Rogers (Class of 2025) receives an Army Reserve Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty (GRFD) Minuteman scholarship covering all tuition and fees toward his Master of Business Administration. 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. This program provides well-trained Officers to the United States Army Reserve Component and improves the total Army force. This scholarship allowed Jared Rogers to serve part-time and enter the civilian workforce in Maryland after graduation and commissioning.