Requirements

General Eligibility

Applicants for NROTC scholarship programs must:

1. Be U.S. citizens.
2. Be 17 years old by Sept. 1 of the year starting college and less than 23 on June 30 of that year. Applicants must not have reached their 27th birthday by June 30 of the year in which college graduation and commissioning are anticipated. (Applicants who have prior active duty military service may be eligible for age adjustments for the amount of time equal to their prior service, on a month-for-month basis, for a maximum of 36 months, provided they do not reach their 30th birthday by June 30 of the year in which graduation and commissioning are anticipated.)
3. Be high school graduates or possess equivalency certificates by Aug. 1 of the same year entrance into the NROTC Four-Year Scholarship Program is anticipated.
4. Be physically qualified by Navy or Marine Corps standards.
5. Have no moral obligations or personal convictions that will prevent conscientious bearing of arms and supporting and defending the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign or domestic.
6. Apply for and gain admission to NROTC colleges. (Admission to an NROTC institution is not required during the selection process. However, notification of admission must be received before the scholarship can be activated.)
7. Achieve qualifying scores on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or the American College Test (ACT).

Qualifying Scores, Navy:
SAT -- 530 Verbal; 520 Math
ACT -- 22 Verbal; 22 Math

Qualifying Scores, Marine Option:
SAT -- 1000 Composite
ACT -- 45 Composite

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Academic Requirements

To receive commissions, midshipmen must complete all requirements for bachelor's degrees under university rules and regulations. They must also complete certain courses specified by the Navy. While requirements vary depending on the college, the Navy and Marine Corps are interested in producing top-quality officers, therefore success in academics in highly emphasized.

Students selected for the NROTC Scholarship Program take the normal course load required by the college or university for degree completion. Additionally, scholarship midshipmen are required to follow these general academic guidelines:

1. Calculus (one year by the end of the sophomore year)¹ ²
2. Physics (one year of calculus-based physics by the end of the junior year)¹ ²
3. English grammar and composition (one year)²
4. National Security Policy/American Military Affairs¹
5. Computer Science (one term)¹ ²

¹ denotes courses not required for Navy Nurse NROTC students
² denotes courses not required for Marine Corps-option students

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Physical Requirements

Candidates must pass a stringent physical examination to qualify for the NROTC Program.

The physical and scholarship qualification processes are independent determinations. Applicants must receive favorable endorsements in both areas before any NROTC scholarship can be granted. Many medical diagnoses are disqualifying and it is not possible to include a complete list here. Some of the more common conditions considered disqualifying include vision not correctable to 20/20 (each eye), no color vision, history of asthma, acute or chronic cardiac/pulmonary conditions, chronic skin disorders such as cystic acne, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis or eczema, ununited fractures or major joint surgery, arthritis, seizure disorders, severe motion sickness susceptibility, alcohol or drug abuse and pregnancy.

The Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board (DODMERB) schedules and reviews all physical examinations for service academies and NROTC candidates. Candidates applying for more than one military academy or ROTC scholarship will require only one physical examination.

If DODMERB determines a disqualifying medical condition exists, a written request is required for waiver consideration. Some disqualifying medical conditions may be waived after further review. Applicants will be notified by DODMERB of any additional requirements for medical history, consultations or diagnostic tests.

• Navy 62-78 inches
• Marines 66-78 inches

• Navy 60-78 inches
• Marines 58-78 inches

Weight--Proportionate to height.

Eyes
Color vision: Navy (except Nurse Corps)--normal
Marine and Navy Nurse Corps--no standard requirement.
Surgical, laser or mechanical procedures to correct defective visual acuity are absolute cause for disqualification. No waivers will be recommended. Keratoconus or a history of treatment for this condition is absolutely disqualifying.

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Military Service Requirements

Upon graduation, NROTC Scholarship Program Midshipmen are commissioned as ensigns in the Naval Reserve or second lieutenants in the Marine Corps Reserve. Midshipmen will have military service obligations of eight years in the unrestricted line (surface, submarine or aviation). At least four of those years are served in an active duty status.

Midshipmen disenrolled from the NROTC Scholarship Program for reasons beyond their control will normally be discharged without penalty. A minimum of two years of active enlisted service or recoupment of all tuition dollars may be required for midshipmen who disenroll or are disenrolled from the NROTC Scholarship Program for academic or personal reasons after the first day of their sophomore year.

If disenrolled, personnel who were originally on active duty and were released early to accept NROTC scholarships must complete their original enlisted contracts.