Scholarship & Financial Incentives | Fighting Illini Army ROTC Battalion | Department of Military Science

Fighting Illini Army ROTC

Scholarships & Financial Incentives

Multiple ways to pay for college, from Illinois state tuition waivers to full federal awards, all designed to remove the financial barriers between you and a commission as a U.S. Army Officer.

Tuition Waiver

The most accessible way into Army ROTC at Illinois.

Illinois State Tuition Waiver

Two full years to experience the program before you commit.

Covers Full tuition Fees, housing, and books extra

Commitment None Until Junior year

Eligibility Illinois residents at UIUC enrolled in Military Science.

Freshmen 3.0 high school GPA.

GPA 2.5 to receive. 2.0 overall and 3.0 in ROTC to retain.

Renewal Re-evaluated every semester. If you’re already contracted, your commitment still applies.

Army ROTC Scholarships

Each covers full tuition and fees or full room and board, your choice.

Federal Scholarship

The flagship Army ROTC award.

Books $600 per semester

Stipend $420 per month

Contract Required upon acceptance.

Eligibility ACT 19+ or SAT 920+ for freshmen.

GPA 2.5 to receive. 2.0 to retain.

Also required Enroll in Military Science and attend all ROTC functions.

GRFD Scholarship

Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty.

Books $600 per semester

Stipend $420 + E-5 per month

Contract Reserve or National Guard contract.

Eligibility MS III, or MS II if a dedicated GRFD applicant.

GPA 2.5 to retain.

Also required Stay active in the Illinois Reserves or Guard.

Nursing Scholarship

For nursing students studying in Urbana.

Books $1,200 per semester

Stipend $420 per month

Contract Required upon acceptance.

Eligibility ACT 19+ or SAT 920+ for freshmen.

GPA 2.5 to receive. 2.0 to retain.

Also required Enroll in the nursing program and Military Science.

Stipends are paid 10 months a year and tiered by class standing. GRFD requires enrollment in the Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP) if you’re not already a member. Contact the Battalion for details.

Compare All Options

Every benefit and requirement in one place.

Benefit	WaiverIL Residents	FederalFederal Award	GRFDReserve / Guard	NursingNursing Students
Full Tuition
Tuition Fees
Room & Board Option
Monthly Stipend		$420per month	$420 + E‑5stipend + drill pay	$420per month
Book Allowance		$600per semester	$600per semester	$1,200per semester
No Military Commitment
E-5 Drill Pay
IL Residents Only
Min GPA to Receive	2.53.0 HS GPA for incoming freshmen	2.5	2.5	2.5
Min GPA to Retain	2.0plus 3.0 ROTC GPA	2.0	2.5	2.0

Included Only this option Not included

All scholarships are contingent upon being medically qualified, physically fit, and in attendance for all ROTC functions. Orange checkmarks indicate a unique benefit exclusive to that scholarship.