Joining Penn State NROTC
The Penn State Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps has two academic tracks for perspective students: Scholarship and College Program. A description of each follows.
For general information contact the program coordinator, Shawnie Butts or call (814) 865-NAVY (6289). We will arrange a time and place to meet with you.
Scholarship Program
The NROTC Scholarship Program is available to students who have graduated from high school before Aug. 1 of the year they intend to start college.
The NROTC Program offers scholarships based on an annual competitive selection process that considers such factors as high school class standings, college entrance test scores, extracurricular activities and leadership qualities. Academic accomplishments in rigorous, technically demanding courses are especially noteworthy.
New initiatives exist to streamline and shorten the NROTC selection process:
- For applicants who qualify, the Navy can NOW offer on-the-spot NROTC scholarships. The new Immediate Selection Decision (ISD) program allows recruiters to offer guaranteed scholarships to individuals that score above preset SAT/ACT scores, rank in the top of their class, actively participate in extracurricular activities, and meet all other preliminary requirements. Qualification is contingent upon verification if initially provided information and successful completion of the required Department of Defense physical examination.
- Additionally, applications can now be accepted from competitive candidates following completion of the first term of their junior year.
NROTC scholarship selectees are appointed midshipmen, U.S. Naval Reserve, by the Secretary of the Navy and are granted compensations and benefits authorized by law for four years of undergraduate study. Under certain conditions, midshipmen may become eligible for up to one additional year of scholarship compensations and benefits.
Students selected for the NROTC Scholarship Program make their own arrangements for college enrollment and room and board, and take the normal course load required by the college or university for degree completion. NROTC midshipmen lead basically the same campus lives as other undergraduates, and may participate in any extracurricular activities that don't interfere with NROTC requirements.
However, during weekly drill instruction, summer training periods and in specified Naval Science courses, midshipmen wear uniforms furnished by the government and conduct themselves in a military manner.
The military commander of an NROTC unit is a senior Navy or Marine Corps officer. As Professors of Naval Science, they are also members of college faculties. In addition to teaching the naval science curriculum and conducting other naval functions, Professors of Naval Science and the officers on their staffs serve as counselors and advisors to midshipmen on personal and academic matters, as well as their future careers in the Naval service.
College ProgramThe Navy also offers a two-year or four-year non-subsidized college program for college students who want to serve their country in leadership roles as officers in the United States Navy or Marine Corps.
Applicants for the college program are selected from the students already attending or accepted by colleges or universities with NROTC units.
NROTC pays for uniforms, books and instructional fees required for naval science courses taken by college program students. Between their sophomore and junior years, college program students apply for advanced standing. If selected, students receive $150 per month for a maximum of 20 academic months for the two-year program.
In return for these benefits, they are required to successfully complete naval science courses, a few specific university courses and attend one summer training session, normally at sea or at Quantico, Va., for Marine Corps-option midshipmen.
Four-year applicants apply for enrollment through the Professors of Naval Science upon commencement of their freshman year. Two-year applicants apply before the spring of their sophomore year. When accepted, two-year applicants will attend the six-and-a-half-week Naval Science Institute program in Newport. Upon returning to college, they will be enrolled in their NROTC programs.
After graduation from college and completion of the NROTC requirements, four-year and two-year program midshipmen may be commissioned ensigns in the Naval Reserve or second lieutenants in the Marine Corps Reserve. They incur obligations of eight years of commissioned service, of which three years will be on active duty.
- Stop by 315 Wagner Building, University Park, PA 16802 or
- Call 814-865-NAVY (6289), or
- Fill out an online information request form.
- For specific application information, visit the Chief of Naval Education and Training homepage.