SMP Scholarship Option

The Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP) is an excellent opportunity for Cadets/Soldiers who want to enlist or are already enlisted in the Army Reserves or Army National Guard and are wanting to work towards earning a commission through Army ROTC.

The SMP was created to allow Cadets/Soldiers the opportunity to receive "on the job" training through job shadowing experience prior to commissioning so they can make an informed decision about the different branches (jobs) offered to officers, become exposed to the military culture, and gain experience through mentorship and training. SMP members actively drill with their Army Reserve or Army National Guard unit (one weekend/month and two-week annual training/year).

Benefits

On the job training/job shadowing
Flexibility to move between units to see what the Officers in different jobs do (ex. go from a Military Police unit to a Medical unit to a Field Artillery unit)
ROTC monthly stipend ranging from $350-$500/month
E-5 pay grade (about $285/month)
Montgomery GI Bill (about $360/month) if basic training and Advance Individual Training (AIT) are completed
SMP Kicker Bonus ($350/month) if basic training and Advance Individual Training (AIT) are completed
Federal Tuition Assistance (up to $4,500/year)-eligible 1 year after AIT graduation

Scholarships

Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty (GRFD) scholarships are available to those Cadets who know they want to commission into the Army Reserves or the Army National Guard. Typically Cadets who major in Criminal Justice, Technology, Teaching, etc. prefer to commission into the Army Reserves or the Army National Guard so they can focus on their civilian career and still serve.

*Active Duty is no longer an option upon acceptance of these scholarships.

GRFD -Dedicated Army National Guard (ARNG)
GRFD -Army National Guard (ARNG)
GRFD -Army Reserve (USAR)
GRFD -Dedicated Army Reserve (USAR)

This program allows individuals to be on scholarship, provide guaranteed service in the ARNG or USAR and requires the student to participate in the Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP).

GRFD Scholarship recipients may not request conversion of or revocation of their GRFD Scholarship contracts
Scholarship covers 100% tuition/fees OR room/board
If scholarship money is used towards room/board, then Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA)/National Guard Grant can be used in conjunction with scholarship money to pay for tuition. Room/board amounts are taxable monies paid directly to the Cadet and is determined by an average or aggregate of the area.
If scholarship money is used towards tuition/fees, then FTA/National Guard Grant cannot be used for room/board
Applicants for this program must meet eligibility requirements
GRFD and Dedicated Scholarship recipients will serve all 8 years of their contract with the National Guard or Army Reserve

GRFD -Dedicated Army National Guard (ARNG)

This program consists of 2, 2.5, and 3 year undergraduate and 2 year graduate degree scholarships. Applicants must be members of the ARNG or be willing to join the ARNG as an SMP participant.

Individuals selected for the GRFD Dedicated ARNG Scholarship must serve their eight- year military service obligation in the ARNG in an active drilling capacity (one weekend a month and a two-week annual training period each year)
Chapter 30 Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) benefits may be used in addition to the Dedicated ARNG Scholarship
FTA and National Guard Grant may be used in conjunction with this scholarship
Chapter 1606 and Chapter 1607 MGIB cannot be used with this scholarship

GRFD -Army National Guard (ARNG)

This program consists of 2-year undergraduate and 2-year graduate degree scholarships. Applicants must be members of the ARNG or be willing to join the ARNG as an SMP participant.

Individuals selected for the GRFD Dedicated ARNG Scholarship must serve their eight- year military service obligation in the ARNG or USAR in an active drilling capacity (one weekend a month and a two-week annual training period each year).
Chapter 30, Chapter 1606, and Chapter 1607 MGIB may be used in addition to the GRFD-ARNG Scholarship
FTA and National Guard Grant may be used in conjunction with this scholarship

GRFD -Army Reserve (USAR)

This program consists of 2-year undergraduate and 2-year graduate degree scholarships. Applicants must be members of the USAR or be willing to join the USAR as an SMP participant.

Individuals selected for the GRFD-USAR Scholarship must serve their eight- year military service obligation in the ARNG or USAR in an active drilling capacity (one weekend a month and a two-week annual training period each year).
Chapter 30, Chapter 1606, and Chapter 1607 MGIB may be used in addition to the GRFD-ARNG Scholarship
FTA may be used in conjunction with this scholarship

GRFD-Dedicated Army Reserve (USAR)

This program consists of 2, 2.5, and 3 year undergraduate and 2 year graduate degree scholarships. Applicants must be members of the USAR or be willing to join the USAR as an SMP participant.

Individuals selected for the GRFD-Dedicated USAR Scholarship must serve their eight- year military service obligation in the USAR in an active drilling capacity (one weekend a month and a two-week annual training period each year).
Chapter 30 Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) benefits may be used in addition to the Dedicated USAR Scholarship
FTA may be used in conjunction with this scholarship
Chapter 1606 and Chapter 1607 MGIB cannot be used with this scholarship