Would you like to have the time to focus on getting your degree? Do you want money for school? Are you thinking about becoming an officer? How about doing it all at the same time? Did you know that you can get a degree, money for school and a commission at the same time through the Army's Green to Gold ROTC program?
The Army ROTC Green to Gold Scholarship Program provides selected enlisted soldiers on active duty an opportunity to complete their baccalaureate degree and obtain a commission through participating in ROTC. The Army ROTC Green to Gold Programs seek talented young enlisted soldiers who:
- have decided to leave or are considering leaving active duty to attend college to earn baccalaureate degrees and commission as second lieutenants (this is the Green to Gold Scholarship Option Program).
- have decided to remain on active duty to attend college to earn baccalaureate degrees and commission as second lieutenants (this is the Green to Gold Active Duty Option Program).
- are quality enlisted soldiers with officer potential who have served at least two years on active duty are allowed to voluntarily participate and enroll in Army ROTC.
- have obligations incurred for participation in the Green to Gold Programs.
- are willing to request early discharge under the Green to Gold Scholarship Option Program.
Green to Gold Scholarship Option Program Highlights
- Scholarships are awarded for two, three, or four years.
- Soldiers with two years of college remaining to complete their degree are considered for two-year scholarships.
- Soldiers with three years of college remaining to complete their degree are considered for three-year scholarships.
- Soldiers without college credit who require four years to complete their degree are considered for four-year scholarships.
Benefits for Green to Gold Scholarship Option Winners
Green to Gold Scholarship winners receive the following:
- Tuition or room and board support.
- Additional money for textbooks, supplies, and equipment.
- A monthly stipend for up to 10 months each school year that increases each year based on your Military Science Class.
- Pay for attending the Leader Development and Assessment Course (LDAC) between the junior and senior years of college.
- If qualified, Montgomery G.I. Bill / Army College Fund (MGIB/ACF) benefits.
- Additionally, many colleges and universities offer incentives to scholarship winners. The Professor of Military Science (PMS) at your college of choice can provide further information on what is available at the school.
- In addition to the financial incentives, soldiers receive additional benefits as ROTC cadets. These benefits include:
- Leadership training
- Responsibility and Practical Experience
- Mentorship of the PMS/APMS
- Camaraderie
Eligibility Requirements for the Green to Gold Programs
The following is a list of the Green to Gold Non-Scholarship Eligibility Requirements:
- Age - Under 30 years old on June 30th of the year you commission. Waivers up to 32-years-old can be granted for Prior Military Service
- Have a favorable recommendation from Chain of Command
- Have Completed two years of College and be accepted as an Academic Junior
- Have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Green to Gold Scholarship Eligibility Requirements
- U.S. Citizen (non-waiverable)
- Age - Be under 31 years of age on December 31st of the year you complete all requirements for a commission and a college baccalaureate degree. This is a statutory requirement and there are no waivers authorized
- Cannot have been convicted of a Domestic Violence Crime
- Have a minimum of two years Active Duty as well as three months of active duty for every one month of specialized training (waiver can be requested)
- GT score of 110 or greater
- Pass the APFT within the last six months with score of 180 or higher, minimum of 60 points in each event
- Be a high school graduate or equivalent
- Cumulative high school or college GPA of 2.5
- Letter of acceptance to school of choice offering Army ROTC
- Letter of acceptance from the PMS of that Army ROTC Battalion
- Favorable National Agency Check (or have initiated the action)
- Meet the DoD medical qualifications
- Be eligible to re-enlist
- Not be a conscientious objector
- No more than three dependents including spouse (waiverable)
Green to Gold Required Service Obligation
Following graduation, ROTC cadets are required to serve in the active component of the U.S. Army.
Scholarship Program Participants:
- All scholarship students will be required to serve in the military for a period of eight years. This obligation may be fulfilled by serving four years on active duty, followed by four years service in the Inactive Ready Reserve (IRR).
Non-Scholarship Program Participants:
- Non-Scholarship graduates may serve three years on active duty and five years in the Inactive Ready Reserve (IRR)
The Army ROTC Green to Gold Scholarship Program provides selected enlisted soldiers on active duty an opportunity to complete their baccalaureate degree and obtain a commission through participating in ROTC.
Early Discharge under the Green to Gold Scholarship Option Program
If you are selected for Green to Gold, you may obtain early release from active duty. Army Regulation 635-200, Chapter 16-2, provides for the honorable, early discharge of soldiers so they can enroll in an Army Senior ROTC program.
The Early Discharge may be up to 30 days prior to the start of school. Terminal leave is NOT authorized.
To Qualify for Early Discharge:
- You must meet the requirements of the Green to Gold program.
- The separation authority must ensure that you meet the criteria, have served honorably and possess officer attributes.
- You must agree to the stipulations of the terms of the USAR enlistment contract or ROTC student contract. Otherwise, you will be in breach of your contract and subject to involuntary order to active duty to complete the prior service remaining and/or the scholarship contractual obligation. If you are a scholarship cadet, you may be required to repay the scholarship benefits received in lieu of active-duty service.
Learn about this and other education opportunities at the Military.com Education Center.
