The GRFD program is designed for cadets who are interested in obtaining a commission in the U.S. Army Reserves or Army National Guard with a guarantee for a Reserve Component (RC) assignment. Scholarships cover full tuition and mandatory fees or room and board up to $10,000, and range in length up to 3 years. Scholarship awardees also receive a book allowance and a monthly stipend based on their academic year. GRFD Cadets also receive weekend drill and annual training pay as participants in the Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP) which means they will attend a Battle Training Assembly (BTA) one weekend per month and a two week annual training.
Basic Eligibility Requirements:
- Must be a U.S. Citizen or a U.S. National.
- Be at least 17 years of age within the first semester of the year of enrollment as a scholarship Cadet.
- Be under 31 years of age on 31 December of the calendar year in which eligible for appointment as a second lieutenant.
- Have a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
- Score a minimum of 1000 on the SAT and 19 on the ACT.
- Satisfactory explain any record of arrest and/or civil conviction.
- Have no moral or personal conviction against bearing arms or supporting and defending the Constitution of the United States.
- Must complete the ROTC Basic Course (MS1&2), Basic Training or Basic Camp
- Must be willing to participate in the SMP program with a Guard or Reserve unit. If you do not belong to a unit, you must obtain a letter of acceptance to the unit, stating that they will accept you as a SMP cadet.
- Must be medically qualified.
Military Obligation:
- If you are selected for a GRFD scholarship, you are required to sign a GRFD contract, guaranteeing service in the U.S. Army Reserve or Army National Guard upon commissioning.
- Serve 8 years in an Army Reserve or National Guard unit. Terms of obligation begins at time of commissioning.
- Serve as a SMP Cadet in the unit of your choice with an available SMP slot.
- Attend the 5-week Leadership Development and Assessment Course (LDAC): Warrior Forge between the Junior and Senior academic year of school.
- Accept a commission to serve in the Army Reserve or Army National Guard upon graduation and commissioning.
Scholarship Types
2-Year GRFD Scholarship:
This program consists of a 2-year undergraduate or 2-year graduate degree scholarship.
Cadets that elect to apply for and receive this 2-Year GRFD scholarship must know they will be commissioned into the Reserves – either the USAR or ARNG. This is based on needs of the Reserve Forces. This scholarship is unique in that Soldiers in the USAR or ARNG are allowed to use GI Bill benefits and State TA (ARNG) in conjunction with this 2-year scholarship option.
GRFD
- Up to 2 years.
- Must SMP w/ USAR or ARNG. Paid at the rank of E-5, approximately $250 per month, unless already in the USAR or ARNG and holds a rank higher than E-5.
- Must serve with the Army Reserve or National Guard after commission.
- Pays Full Tuition or pays Room & Board (R&B $10,000 max per year).
- All scholarships come with a $1,200 per year book allowance paid directly to the student.
- Cadets are also paid a monthly stipend
- Non-revocable (Only MJC cadets may request revocation).
- Can use any GI Bill with the GRFD scholarship.
- If eligible for Chapter 1606 Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) the student may qualify for an additional $350 per month MGIB “SMP” kicker.
2, 2 ½, 2AD, 3, and 3AD Year Dedicated Scholarship
These scholarships guarantee that commissioned Cadets serve in a specific component. The Dedicated scholarship is available for up to three years. All Dedicated scholarship students must participate in the Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP) with an identified unit while in school.
Advanced designee (AD) means that the potential participant will pay for either one or two years of school themselves and then ROTC will contract them and pay for the remaining as long as the Cadet meets eligibility.
Dedicated Army National Guard (DEDARNG)
- Army National Guard only
- Up to 3 years.
- Must SMP w/ ARNG. Paid at the rank of E-5, approximately $250 per month, unless already in the ARNG and holds a rank higher than E-5.
- Must serve with the Army National Guard after commission.
- Pays Full Tuition or pays Room & Board (R&B $10,000 max per year).
- All scholarships come with a $1,200 per year book allowance paid directly to the student.
- Cadets are also paid a monthly stipend
- Non-revocable.
- Cannot use with Chapter 1606/1607, but may use Chapter 30/33
Dedicated Army Reserve (DEDUSAR)
- USAR only.
- Up to 3 years.
- Must SMP w/ USAR. Paid at the rank of E-5, approximately $250 per month, unless already in the USAR and holds a rank higher than E-5.
- Must serve with the USAR after commission.
- Pays Full Tuition or pays Room & Board (R&B $10,000 max per year).
- All scholarships come with a $1,200 per year book allowance paid directly to the student.
- Cadets are also paid a monthly stipend
- Non-revocable.
- Cannot use with Chapter 1606/1607, but may use Chapter 30/33.
The GRFD program is designed for cadets who are interested in obtaining a commission in the U.S. Army Reserves or Army National Guard with a guarantee for a Reserve Component (RC) assignment. Scholarships cover full tuition and mandatory fees or room and board up to $10,000, and range in length up to 3 years. Scholarship awardees also receive a book allowance and a monthly stipend based on their academic year. GRFD Cadets also receive weekend drill and annual training pay as participants in the Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP) which means they will attend a Battle Training Assembly (BTA) one weekend per month and a two week annual training.
Basic Eligibility Requirements:
- Must be a U.S. Citizen or a U.S. National.
- Be at least 17 years of age within the first semester of the year of enrollment as a scholarship Cadet.
- Be under 31 years of age on 31 December of the calendar year in which eligible for appointment as a second lieutenant.
- Have a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
- Score a minimum of 1000 on the SAT and 19 on the ACT.
- Satisfactory explain any record of arrest and/or civil conviction.
- Have no moral or personal conviction against bearing arms or supporting and defending the Constitution of the United States.
- Must complete the ROTC Basic Course (MS1&2), Basic Training or Basic Camp
- Must be willing to participate in the SMP program with a Guard or Reserve unit. If you do not belong to a unit, you must obtain a letter of acceptance to the unit, stating that they will accept you as a SMP cadet.
- Must be medically qualified.
Military Obligation:
- If you are selected for a GRFD scholarship, you are required to sign a GRFD contract, guaranteeing service in the U.S. Army Reserve or Army National Guard upon commissioning.
- Serve 8 years in an Army Reserve or National Guard unit. Terms of obligation begins at time of commissioning.
- Serve as a SMP Cadet in the unit of your choice with an available SMP slot.
- Attend the 5-week Leadership Development and Assessment Course (LDAC): Warrior Forge between the Junior and Senior academic year of school.
- Accept a commission to serve in the Army Reserve or Army National Guard upon graduation and commissioning.
ROTC Scholarships for Enlisted Soldiers
If you are an enlisted soldier in the Army and interested in becoming an officer through ROTC, you can find out more about opportunities at the US Army ROTC website.
Simultaneous Membership Program for Army Reservists and Army National Guard Members
The Simultaneous Membership Program gives you an opportunity to gain additional training and experience by attending Army ROTC while you are serving in the US Army Reserve or Army National Guard. It gives you an opportunity for additional training and experience. Cadets serve as officer trainees in the Reserve or National Guard while completing college. You can earn Reserve or Guard pay and benefits in addition to your Army ROTC allowances.
For information about the Simultaneous Membership Program with the Tennessee National Guard contact:
SSG Mark Goodman
Email: mgoodm24@utk.edu
Phone: (865) 202-4401
Web: Tennessee National Guard website