"Simultaneous" means students who are at the same time:

• full-time college students (sophomore, junior, senior, or grad students)
• currently serving (or willing to enlist) in the USAR or ARNG
• enrolled in Army ROTC

In the SMP you participate in unit training with your USAR or ARNG unit one weekend a month, while earning your commission through ROTC. Upon college graduation, you will be commissioned as an officer in the Army, and have the option of either serving full-time on Active Duty, or part-time in the Army Reserves or Army National Guard.

If You Are Not in the USAR or ARNG

To get into the SMP, students with no prior military service will attend Basic Combat Training (BCT) and Advanced Individual Training (AIT) during the summer and will be assigned to a local National Guard or Reserve unit upon completion of training.

It is possible to join the ARNG or USAR and enroll in ROTC without going to Basic Training, but without Basic Training and AIT you are only eligible for a fraction of the tuition benefits available. You can also participate in SMP after attending Leaders Training Course in lieu of Basic Training.

• In most cases, completing BCT and AIT will take longer than the summer break and cause you to skip a semester, or half semester of classes. However, many students see this as a good bargain for the amount of financial aid it makes you eligible for.

Simultaneous Membership Program Benefits:

• Up to 100% tuition and fees paid
• Cash enlistment bonus, depending on MOS
• $300-$500 monthly ROTC stipend
• $274.84 monthly drill pay
• $309/month GI Bill (requires completion of BCT and AIT)
• $350/month GI Bill Kicker (requires completion of BCT and AIT)
• Basic soldier skills (BCT) and job skills (AIT)
• Hands-on military experience by participating in your unit training

After Graduation

When you enlist in the USAR or ARNG you may choose an enlistment period of up to 6 years. However, as soon as you graduate college and get commissioned through ROTC (usually on the same day as graduation), your enlistment contract is terminated—no matter how much time is left on your enlistment.

Upon commissioning, you start a brand new career as an Army officer. That means that even though you were enlisted in the USAR or ARNG while going to school, you have the option of serving as an officer either full-time on Active Duty, or staying part-time as an officer in the USAR or ARNG.

Also, the job specialty (MOS) you had while enlisted has no bearing on your career options as an officer. If you like the field you were in as an enlisted soldier, you can choose that field as an officer. If not, you can pick any of the other 16 basic branches.

SMP does not lock you into--or out of--any commissioning options. You can still go on Active Duty, or switch from having been enlisted in the USAR to an officer in the ARNG (or vice versa). You can stay in your enlisted career field, or switch to something totally different.

A College Diploma and So Much More

Through classes and field training, Army ROTC provides you with the tools to become an Army Officer without interfering with your other classes and social life. ROTC also provides you with discipline and money for tuition while enhancing your college experience.

College Student Scholarships

If you are currently in college and would like to explore Army ROTC, there are several scholarship options available.

Three-year Scholarship

If you have already completed one year and are looking for an even greater college experience, the U.S. Army three-year scholarship may be for you.

Two-year Scholarship

Do you have only two years left to complete your college requirements? You still have time to become an Officer upon completion of Army ROTC. Plan ahead for this one as scholarships are competitive. Talk to us during your sophomore year.

Dedicated Reserve and National Guard Scholarships

The 2, 2.5, and 3-year Dedicated United States Army Reserve or Army National Guard ROTC scholarship pays full tuition, academic fees, a $1,200 annual book allowance, and a monthly stipend that begins at $350/month for sophomores.

Benefits of a Reserve Scholarship:

• Provides opportunity to serve state & nation
• Guarantees reserve forces duty
• Belong to something "bigger" than yourself
• Provides leadership experience (officer trainee)
• Exciting experiences compared to civilian lifestyle
• Many employers seek those with military experience
• Camaraderie
• Great financial assistance! Up to $1,900/month plus tuition or room & board
• Receive Time In Service for pay; earns retirement points
• Eligible for federal tuition assistance
• Eligible for state tuition assistance (Army National Guard)
• Retirement benefits with Reserve Component career

Requirements for the Reserve Scholarships:

• Be a U.S. citizen
• Be between the ages of 17 and 26
• Have a university GPA of at least 2.50
• Meet physical standards (medical screening)
• Agree to accept a commission and serve in the Army