Every Memorial Day, we take time to honor the members of the military who work so hard to keep America safe. Joining the armed forces is a great way to serve your country, but did you know that the military will pay for your college education? If you have a desire to protect and serve, the ROTC will help you fund your undergraduate studies.

Memorial Day is especially pertinent to the members of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC)—the students who receive financial aid from the Army. The ROTC is essentially a commissioned program that provides funding to students, allowing them to attend college while undertaking military training. One their training and education is complete, students become Second Lieutenants in the United States Army.

There are a lot of financial benefits to becoming a member of the ROTC. An Army ROTC scholarship provides college students with the following:

• Two, three, or four year college scholarships
• Full tuition scholarships
• Accommodation fees covered instead of tuition
• Extra payment for school expenses (books and fees)

Not only are ROTC cadets eligible to receive scholarship money, but the Army actually pays them to go to class! For instance, cadets receive the following monthly living allowances:

• $300 for first year students
• $350 for second year students
• $450 for third year students
• $500 for fourth year students

In addition to the scholarship money that ROTC cadets receive, the army provides valuable career training to college students. Students are required to take courses in leadership training, analytical thinking, tactical skills, and professional ethics. The knowledge that the students gain from these course can carry over to any profession! One of the great benefits about joining the ROTC is the fact that students are guaranteed a job upon graduation. This is definitely an option worth considering, especially in these vulnerable economic times.

We all know how costly university degrees can be, but as a member of the ROTC and as a scholarship recipient, you could make life a whole lot easier on yourself! Why not explore the many colleges that offer ROTC training, and consider a pathway that will not only help ease the financial burden, but also equip you with the training to become a leader!