Become an Army Officer while earning a degree
Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) at Calvin University is a leadership program that prepares you to serve as a U.S. Army officer while earning your bachelor’s or graduate degree. You’ll develop confidence, discipline, and decision‑making skills that translate to success in military service and in any career field.
Calvin University is an affiliate school of Western Michigan University’s Army ROTC Program. This means you can take your full–time class load at Calvin and participate as a cadet in the Bronco Battalion.
Why Army ROTC?
Army ROTC combines hands-on training, mentorship, and real-world experience to prepare you to lead with confidence in any profession and your personal life. It allows you a normal college experience while also preparing you to be an Officer in the United States Army.
Benefits include:
- The competitive ROTC scholarship covers 100% of tuition
- Receive top leadership training
- Earn the respect of your peers and future employers
- Gain unique experiences
How it works
- Complete your normal degree requirements at Calvin
- Take up to 3 ROTC credit hours per semester in military science and leadership courses at GVSU's main campus in Allendale, MI
- Participate in physical training 3 days a week with other Calvin ROTC cadets
Once you successfully complete your degree and all cadet requirements, you will be commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. This commission may include a commitment to serve up to eight years in the U.S. Army.
How to apply
Indicate your interest in the ROTC program on your Calvin application:
Then, you'll complete the national ROTC Scholarship application process. This stars with creating an Army ROTC account to access the application.
Scholarships
Army ROTC Scholarship
The U.S. Army Cadet Command awards approximately 1,800 3-Year Advanced Designee (3AD) college scholarships nationwide.
These competitive scholarships are based on your merit and grades, not on financial need. The scholarship covers:
- 100% tuition or $12,000 a year room and board stipend
- $1,200 book stipend per academic year
- $420 living allowance per month
The monthly living allowance is also available to all non-scholarship Cadets who contract with the Army ROTC program.
You're eligible to apply for an Army ROTC scholarship as soon as you've completed your junior year of high school or as a college student.
Application steps, deadlines, and minimum requirements
Calvin 1+3 ROTC Scholarship
If you've been selected as a U.S. Army Cadet Command 3AD scholarship recipient and are admitted to Calvin, we'll cover your first-year tuition as well!
100% of first-year tuition covered by Calvin University
Tuition, fees, books, and more covered by ROTC
If you are not awarded a 3AD scholarship, you may qualify for academic scholarships and need–based aid at Calvin, so be sure to apply.
Ways to attend
Whether you are in high school, in college, or already in the Army, there is a way that you can become an Officer in the United States Army.
As a senior in high school, students can apply for the National Four-Year Army ROTC Scholarship to Calvin University. For scholarship award winners, once you gain admission to the school, register for ROTC classes, pass the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) and a medical exam, your scholarship benefits begin immediately.
Indicate your interest in the ROTC program on your application:
If you have four or more semesters of schooling remaining, you are still eligible for ROTC pending completion of the ROTC Basic Camp. Basic Camp is a challenging and motivating 28-day training program at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Upon completion of Basic Camp, Cadets return to campus prepared to enter the Advanced Course (during junior and senior year). Scholarships are also available for Cadets in college.
If you are an enlisted soldier and want to further your career in the United States Army as an Officer, there are options for you.
- Option 1—The Green-to-Gold Active Duty Option is a two-year program that provides eligible, active-duty enlisted Soldiers the opportunity to complete a baccalaureate degree or obtain a master's degree and be commissioned as a second lieutenant upon receiving the appropriate degree.
- Option 2—The Green-to-Gold Scholarship Option provides eligible Soldiers with two, three, or four-year scholarships, depending on the Soldier's needs and the needs of the Army.
- Option 3—The Green-to-Gold Non-scholarship Option is available to Soldiers who have already completed two years of college and who can complete their degree requirements in two years. This option is optimal for enlisted Soldiers interested in becoming an Officer in the U.S. Army Reserve or Army National Guard.
The Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP) allows you to attend Army ROTC and serve in the Army National Guard or U.S. Army Reserves at the same time. It gives Cadets an opportunity for additional training and experience. Cadets serve as Officer trainees in the National Guard or Reserves while completing college. Until the completion of college, Cadets do not have to deploy with their units. You can earn Guard/Reserve pay and benefits in addition to your Army ROTC allowances.
Contact
Billy Clayton
ROTC Scholarship and Enrollment Officer
Western Michigan University
Phone: 269-387-8122
Email: billy.clayton@wmich.edu
Calvin Financial Aid Office
Phone: 616-526-6134 or 1-800-688-0122
Email: finaid@calvin.edu