Serve Your Country and Pay for College

November 11th, 2009

Today is the day that we honor our veterans, but truthfully, those brave men and women deserve our thanks every day of the year. Many of these individuals got their start in their branch of service because of their college’s ROTC program. If you want to serve the U.S., but also want to go to college, read on.

What is the ROTC? The ROTC stands for Reserve Officers’ Training Corps. It is a program offered by many colleges and universities across the country that prepares students to become commissioned officers in the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marines after graduation. (The Coast Guard has its own academy plus an Officer Candidate School, but no ROTC). For those who are already enlisted, the ROTC offers opportunities to earn a college education and a commission as an officer during active or inactive duty.

Many individuals looking towards careers in the military opt for campuses with an active ROTC, because admission to the program ensures that most or all of their college expenses will be paid, in addition to a modest monthly stipend. In exchange for their scholarships, ROTC students must agree to serve their chosen military branch for a certain number of years, usually at least four.

If you are ready to search for colleges with ROTC programs, The CollegeBound Network can help. Check out our articles and directory of colleges that will help you make the very important decision to serve in the U.S. military.

–Barbara Bellesi

Entry Filed under: Advice,Careers,Special Programs