This page provides information specifically for the ROTC Scholarships by the U.S. Navy. Check below for more scholarships to apply for as a high school student, based on your grade.
For high school juniors with leadership potential and a strong sense of duty, the Navy ROTC Scholarship offers an incredible opportunity to receive full tuition and fees at one of 166 top colleges and universities across the United States. These scholarships not only provide financial freedom but also prepare recipients for a meaningful career in military service. In exchange, students commit to serving their country for eight years, with at least four years of active duty in the U.S. Navy or Marine Corps.
The Navy ROTC Scholarship is designed for students with interests in fields that align with the Navy’s strategic needs. Scholarship applicants are divided into three tiers of disciplines. The first two tiers primarily focus on engineering and other STEM fields, reflecting the Navy’s priority on technological innovation and scientific expertise. Together, these two tiers account for 85% of the awarded scholarships, emphasizing the high value placed on technical proficiency. The third tier includes select critical areas of study, such as international relations, critical languages, and regional studies that prepare students to understand and address global challenges. This means that although traditionally known as a STEM scholarship, many students interested in humanities and social sciences do also get these scholarships every year, especially if they are able to demonstrate interest in a critical language, e.g. Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Swahili, Turkish, along with many Eastern European and ex-Soviet languages.
The program also highlights the importance of applying early. High school juniors are strongly encouraged to begin the application process as soon as their junior-year grades are available, as these transcripts are required. Applying early not only gives applicants a competitive advantage but also allows them more time to complete the rigorous application process, which includes fitness assessments, interviews, and academic evaluations.
Past recipients of the Navy ROTC Scholarship often credit the program with transforming their educational and professional journeys. Ethan Wright, a recent graduate who studied mechanical engineering through the program, shares: “This scholarship opened doors I never thought possible. It paid for my education, gave me unparalleled leadership training, and prepared me for a career that makes a real difference.” Similarly, Sophia Chen, who majored in international relations with a focus on East Asia, reflects, “I wanted to combine my love of languages with a commitment to serve. This scholarship let me do both while learning from some of the best mentors in the field.”
The Navy ROTC Scholarship is primarily targeted toward high school juniors and seniors, with the junior year being the ideal time to begin the application process. Applications open during the spring of the junior year, allowing students to submit their grades and transcripts up to that point. However, high school seniors can still apply during their senior year, as long as they meet the application deadline, typically in December or January before the next academic year begins. Starting the process earlier in the junior year is advantageous, as it provides applicants more time to gather the necessary documents, complete fitness assessments, and prepare for interviews. Sophomores are not eligible to apply yet but can use this time to focus on meeting academic and physical fitness requirements and begin researching the program’s expectations and timeline. Some sophomores also benefit from participating in leadership activities or courses that align with Navy ROTC values, preparing themselves to be competitive applicants when they reach junior year. (College students applying for scholarships is not the focus of our website, but it should be stated that, for those in college or with some college credits, there are other Navy ROTC pathways like the Two-Year College Program or the Navy ROTC Preparatory Program, depending on the institution and the student’s situation. These alternatives are separate from the high school scholarship application process.)
To apply, students must complete an online application, submit academic records, and demonstrate physical fitness through a series of evaluations. Applicants will also participate in an interview process designed to assess their leadership potential, sense of responsibility, and commitment to service. The Navy ROTC Scholarship is more than financial aid - it’s a pathway to academic excellence, professional growth, and national service.
Email: cnrc_nrotc_scholarship@navy.mil
Website: www.nrotc.navy.mil
Address: Navy ROTC Scholarship Program
Commander, Naval Service Training Command
2601A Paul Jones Street
Great Lakes, IL 60088-2845
Tel: 1-800-NAV-ROTC
The scholarships provided in the following pages are organized by grade level in high school; there is, thus, no longer any need to go through thousands of resources to find those applicable to you. Having been prepared with high school students in mind, highscholarships.com makes the task rather easy for you.
On this page, you will find numerous scholarships that are specifically for high school seniors. This is when you qualify the most number of scholarships! Do not wait longer!
SHOW ME ↓This page is dedicated to scholarships that are for high school juniors, of which there are plenty. Some of these can be applied for by high school seniors as well.
SHOW ME ↓Here, you can find scholarships for high school sophomores, although some of them are available also to high schoolers at other levels. Start early!
SHOW ME ↓There are also scholarships are for high school freshmen! These are not as many in number as other grade levels, but provide a reason to start early.
SHOW ME ↓It is not too difficult to fully fund your college dream via scholarships. Once you have identified the right opportunities/matches among countless resources, an endeavor highscholarships.com makes easy for you, statistically speaking, even if you had a low success rate, you can fully fund a private college education.