Minuteman Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by US Army Reserve

Description
**Program overview:** The Minuteman Campaign is an initiative of U.S. Army Cadet Command that awards Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty (GRFD) scholarships to candidates who self-select for service in a Reserve component. The program funds education at colleges that host Army ROTC programs to generate well‑trained officers for the Reserve Components and to strengthen the total Army force. It is best suited for high‑school seniors or enlisted soldiers who intend to commission into the Army Reserve through ROTC.

Key takeaways:
- Administered by U.S. Army Cadet Command as the Minuteman Campaign.
- Offers GRFD scholarships to candidates choosing Reserve service.
- Funds education at institutions that host Army ROTC programs.
- Targets students who plan to commission into the Army Reserve.

Eligibility
**Basic prerequisites:** Applicants must be either currently in the Army Reserve or qualified to enlist (test/physically qualified but not yet sworn in), be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national, and meet age limits (17–28; cannot turn 31 by 31 December of commissioning year).
**Fitness and academic standards:** Candidates must be able to complete a Chapter 2 MEPS physical, pass the Army Combat Fitness Test (required to sign the contract), comply with AR 600‑9 body composition standards, provide an official college acceptance letter, and meet minimum academic requirements (2.5 GPA; 4‑year applicants must also have ACT/SAT scores). Participation in the Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP) is required.

Key takeaways:
- Must be Reserve soldier or Qualified Not Enlisted (QNE) with MEPS.
- Citizenship, age, medical, fitness, and body-composition standards required.
- Academic minimum: 2.5 GPA; 4‑year applicants need ACT/SAT.
- Must be able to participate in SMP.

Award Value
**Tuition and living support:** The GRFD Minuteman scholarship covers either full tuition and fees or room and board (up to $12,000 per year) for up to four years at a college that hosts an Army ROTC program.
**Stipends and pay:** Additional financial benefits include a yearly book stipend and a monthly cadet stipend, plus pay and incentives available upon contracting or when MOS-qualified.

Key takeaways:
- Full tuition and fees OR room & board (up to $12,000/year) for up to four years.
- $1,200 per year book stipend.
- $420 per month ROTC cadet stipend.
- E‑5 drill pay upon contracting; CH 1606 and SMP kicker may be available if MOS‑qualified (select scholarships).

Types of Scholarships (Academic Year 2025–2026)
**4‑year scholarship:** Awarded only to incoming college freshmen who will attend a host ROTC program; recipients must attend a state or public university.
**3‑year Advanced Designee (3AD):** Recipients attend a host ROTC program and begin receiving benefits after they contract at the beginning of their sophomore year (provided they meet eligibility). 3AD recipients may attend state, public, or private universities.

Key takeaways:
- 4‑year: for incoming freshmen; must attend state/public university.
- 3AD: benefits start after contracting at start of sophomore year.
- Both require attendance at an institution that hosts Army ROTC.

Contracting and Service Obligation
**Contracting status:** Applicants must be Qualified Not Enlisted (QNE) through MEPS; they will not be required to swear in until they receive an ROTC scholarship offer letter. Scholarship contracting triggers enrollment in ROTC and associated obligations.
**Service commitment and restrictions:** Minuteman recipients must complete an 8‑year service obligation after commissioning while actively drilling at a Reserve unit. Scholarship offers are dedicated GRFD—accepting one means it cannot be revoked to allow the applicant to pursue a separate active‑duty commission. All offers are subject to available funding.

Key takeaways:
- QNE status required; no sworn enlistment until scholarship offer.
- Scholarship is dedicated to Reserve service and cannot be revoked for active‑duty competition.
- Commissioning requires an 8‑year service obligation while drilling.
- Offers depend on available funding.

Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP)
**What SMP is:** SMP places ROTC cadets with a Reserve unit so they gain hands‑on experience and drill pay while completing ROTC.
**Minuteman integration:** Minuteman recipients participate in SMP as part of their program involvement; SMP participation provides practical Reserve experience and additional income, and some incentives (e.g., SMP kicker) may apply when MOS‑qualified.

Key takeaways:
- SMP pairs cadets with a Reserve unit for training and pay.
- Participation is required for Minuteman recipients.
- Offers both experience with a unit and extra income.
- Additional SMP incentives may be available if MOS‑qualified.

Application Process and Timeline
**How to apply:** Army Reserve soldiers and prospective applicants should complete the designated form to be connected with an Army Reserve Ambassador who will start the nomination and application process. Nominations are required for all scholarship types, and Army recruiters can also assist in obtaining a nominating resource.
**Timing notes:** For the 2025–2026 cycle, 4‑year awards are for incoming freshmen; 3AD recipients receive benefits after contracting at the start of sophomore year. All offers remain subject to funding availability.

Key takeaways:
- Complete the form to connect with an Army Reserve Ambassador; nominations are required.
- Army recruiters can help identify nominating resources.
- 4‑year awards target incoming freshmen; 3AD benefits begin after sophomore‑year contracting.
- Scholarship offers contingent on funding.

History of the Award
**Origins:** The Minuteman Campaign is a targeted effort by U.S. Army Cadet Command to expand Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty scholarship opportunities for candidates electing Reserve service through ROTC.
**Program purpose:** It was developed to supply well‑trained officers to the Reserve Components and to strengthen the total Army by aligning scholarship incentives with Reserve force requirements.

Key takeaways:
- Created by U.S. Army Cadet Command as the Minuteman Campaign.
- Designed to provide GRFD scholarships for Reserve‑bound ROTC candidates.
- Aims to produce trained officers for the Reserve Components and enhance total Army readiness.