While you can find our students training all over campus, our offices are located inside the heart of CU - Folsom Field! More specifically, we are located between gates 5 and 6 of Folsom Field. Look for the sign that says Department of Naval Science or search for the google pin 'NROTC University of Colorado'.
I'm an incoming freshmen or rising senior, what should I do to prepare?1) Ensure you complete your DODMERB screening in order to activate your scholarship for beginning of the Fall Semester.
2) Be on the look out for sign up requirements for both New Student Indoctrination (held at Great Lakes, IL by Naval Service Training Command) and our New Student Orientation (held in Boulder, the week before move-in week).
3) Ensure you are in good physical shape! Navy Midshipmen will run an introductory PFA and Marine Midshipmen will run an introductory Physical Fitness Test upon your arrival. Additionally, stay healthy! Injuries and significant changes in health can affect the activation of your scholarship.
4) Stay on top of all your university enrollment requirements. Our staff is here to train you, educate you, and ensure you are administratively prepared to activate your scholarship. We cannot get you housing, setup your meal plan, get you parking, or enroll you in classes. Our expectation is you fulfill all university requirements in a timely manner to properly participate in our program.
5) Lastly - stay out of trouble!
Why is CU NROTC special?1) Our program is rich in history, located in the center of Boulder, includes over 30 Active Duty students, possesses a highly qualified and experienced staff, and continuously commissions "Fleet ready" Ensigns and Second Lieutenants.
2) We train at altitude! Few units in the country have the potential to train at the elevation our olympians train at. Our environment provides us superior training opportunities that are responsible for our students' success at Officer Candidate School, SEAL and EOD cruises, and their general PT scores!
3) We train officers by holding you to the standard of a junior officer. We provide you our expectations and the challenge is then on you to meet them! This means more responsibility, leadership opportunities, and a greater ability to find your own balance between school, work, and NROTC requirements. In order to be successful in our unit our students must develop a strong sense of ownership and initiative (the same expectations that will make you successful as an officer in the Navy or Marine Corps).
"My son or daughter. "While we love the support and investment you have in your son or daughter's success, we encourage you (as a parent) to encourage them (as your son or daughter) to contact us directly! We will be working directly with them in the near future and the foundation of that relationship starts now. Initiative and ownership are the two most important lessons a young leader can learn and they will be the expectations of all our freshmen starting on their very first day. At the same time, we do still expect you as parents to have questions! All members of the family are welcome to join for tours and meetings with our staff (though official interviews will be done one-on-one) and we look forward to meeting you!
Start the process at the beginning of summer before your high school senior year. The Navy Recruiting Command and Headquarters, Marine Corps accept and process all NROTC scholarship applications. Go to https://www.nrotc.navy.mil to start the application process. The Navy Recruiting Command or Headquarters, Marine Corps will notify you of the results of the scholarship selection board.
If you do not receive a national scholarship, you can apply to join as a non-scholarship College Program (Basic Standing) student. As a College Program (Basic Standing) student, you can apply for a three-year scholarship when you have three years of college remaining and a two-year scholarship when you have two years of college remaining. The staff at the NROTC will assist you in preparing the application. If you receive a scholarship and accept it, you incur the same obligation as a national scholarship recipient.
What are the basic qualifications to join the NROTC program? Will my scholarship selection be held up if I have trouble passing the medical exam?The scholarship selection process is completely independent of the medical examination. Scholarship selection is based on academic performance, extracurricular activities, and demonstrated leadership potential. You can be selected as a scholarship nominee even before you take the medical exam; but, of course, it cannot be awarded to you until you have passed the medical exam. The importance of completing and passing the medical exam cannot be over-emphasized. It is up to you to do all you can to complete the medical exam in a timely fashion. If follow-on exams or inputs from your local doctor are required, then you must ensure you meet these requirements. If you are not yet medically qualified by DODMERB when you arrive to school, we CANNOT activate your scholarship.
If I am notified that some physical problem will disqualify me from scholarship eligibility, is there anything I can do?
That depends on the nature of the problem. Some problems, such as minor eye corrections, can be waived. Some problems, such as having had certain childhood diseases, or a family history of diabetes, can cloud your medical record to the point that additional medical evidence may be required to substantiate your qualification. Unless you are told that your condition is absolutely disqualifying, you should do all that you can to obtain medical certification. Letters from family doctors or your local specialists can help to show that your condition should not be disqualifying. When in doubt, ask for a medical waiver.
In addition to the medical exam, is there a physical fitness exam required for scholarship selection?
Navy:
Marine:
What are my chances of receiving a national scholarship?Each year, approximately 4500 students complete the application requirements for an NROTC national scholarship. In FY 2014, about 1200 total scholarships were awarded. Many of those NROTC applicants apply for other scholarships, too. When the time comes to award the scholarships, a significant number of students will decline the NROTC offer because they have received similar offers from the other ROTCs, or from service academies, or from universities. In the past, the Navy has built-in a buffer to account for students who decline the offer, and also to account for students who accept the scholarship but attrite from the program sometime in college. Now, we will see less national scholarships awarded yearly and the buffer will be replaced by College Program (Basic Standing) students who have exhibited superior performance and earned a three or two year scholarship. This means chances will increase for College Program students in the future but it may be more difficult to earn a national scholarship straight from high school.
How are the scholarships awarded?The scholarship selection board meets bi-weekly from October through March of each year in Pensacola, Florida. This board is made up of different groups of NROTC Unit Commanding Officers (Navy Captains). Because of the rolling nature of the board, you could be awarded a scholarship anytime from November through April. If you are ever in doubt as to the status of your scholarship application package, feel free to call 1-800-NAV-ROTC and ask or visit the following web site: https://www.nrotc.navy.mil.
What does the average scholarship candidate's profile look like?Navy Scholarship Profile (Note: The Marine Scholarship is virtually the same except % Tech Major)
If I missed the January 31st deadline for the scholarship application, is there any way that I can still obtain an NROTC scholarship?
Yes, but not a national scholarship. Students can become eligible for the award of either a three-year or two-year scholarship by joining their NROTC Unit in the non-scholarship College Program (Basic Standing) status.
In general, if you are a Navy option the best method to earn a scholarship is to:
When you initially apply for the NROTC scholarship, you must release your SAT or ACT scores to the scholarship board. When your scores are received, and they are high enough to qualify you for the NROTC program, you become "board eligible". At that point, your recruiter will schedule you for your officer interview, fitness test, and anything else that needs to be completed. In order to have your record appear before the scholarship selection board, you must complete all aspects of the application procedure, with the exception of the physical exam, which can be done later. It is up to you to ensure that all of this is completed in time for the selection board. At the latest, you should complete the paperwork portion of the application by mid-January.
How much of my time at school will be tied up in NROTC activities?As much as you want, but at least ten hours a week. Your Naval Science courses meet three hours per week and replace other electives, so those courses should not be thought of as extra requirements. In addition, there is a two-hour leadership lab period each week, and you may be asked to devote about three nights per month in required activities. There are a number of NROTC extra curricular activities available to you if you are interested in them. We sponsor formal and informal dinners, parties, picnics, and other get-togethers, and we participate in Colorado's intramural athletics with a variety of NROTC teams. Almost all of these activities are purely voluntary.
If I join the NROTC program, am I in the military, or am I still a civilian?NROTC Midshipmen are given the same status as "inactive reservists." You will get a "reserve" military ID card, but you will be a civilian during all but the summer training cruise periods of your curriculum. The summer training is performed in an active duty "reserve" status.
How are tuition payments and book purchases handled for scholarship students?The NROTC Unit will pay your tuition and fees directly to the university. Incoming freshman are required to pay an university confirmation deposit and a housing deposit before school starts. You must pay these deposits. The Navy will provide a basic book stipend of $375, independent of the amount you actually spend on books.
What will happen if I decided not to continue in the NROTC program after I have started the sophomore year and incurred an obligation for active duty?
There are several reasons and circumstances for leaving the NROTC program. There is no obligation at all if you quit before September 1st of your sophomore year. If, after the start of the after that date, you decide to quit, you will either have to pay back tuition expended, or go on active military service in enlisted status immediately if you drop out of college, or upon graduation if you stay in college. If a medical problem develops that would preclude you from commissioning, then the obligation could be erased. If you drop from the program because of your own misconduct or inaptitude, you could be required to reimburse the Navy for your tuition and book expenditures at the discretion of the Secretary of the Navy.
Could I avoid the obligated service if I simply repay the Navy for my tuition and book expenditures?The Secretary of the Navy reserves final determination for either recoupment or active military service if you are disenrolled for any reason. However, the current trend is recoupment if you drop prior to your senior year. If you voluntarily drop during your Senior year, the policy is active enlisted service.
No. The scholarship selection process is TOTALLY INDEPENDENT of the Colorado admission process. You must seek admission to Colorado or some other NROTC host university. Remember that the NROTC scholarship cannot be awarded to you until you have been accepted for admission at an NROTC host school. It is a good idea for NROTC scholarship applicants to apply to 5 NROTC host schools to ensure acceptance to at least one NROTC host school.
Are NROTC scholarship recipients given any preferential treatment in the Colorado admission process?No. The same personal characteristics and academic credentials are considered in scholarship selection and in Colorado admission. Selection for a scholarship is a good indication that you may be selected for admission; but it is neither guaranteed nor implied. The NROTC scholarship committee might place more emphasis on leadership potential as evidenced in extra curricular athletics or school government activities. The university might place more emphasis on academic achievement.
Should I wait for the results of the NROTC scholarship selection before I apply for admission to Colorado?
Absolutely not! In most cases, you will not be able to wait. The deadline for admission application to Colorado is early in the spring. Unless you are fortunate enough to be selected for an early scholarship, you may not know your NROTC scholarship status until after Colorado's deadline. So, you will likely have to apply for admission before you know of your scholarship selection and may even have to confirm enrollment with a deposit - small investments that could pay big dividends later.
Can you offer any hints regarding what the scholarship selection board looks for in making its selections?
Yes. The NROTC scholarship selection board will consider the "whole person," including College Board scores, grades, class standing, athletics, participation in extra curricular activities, recommendations, interview results, and perceived potential. We are looking for the future leaders of the Navy and Marine Corps. We want well rounded students who are intelligent enough to excel in academics, athletic enough to meet the physical challenges of military service, and who are personable and dynamic enough to assume roles as military leaders. It is not enough to be only bright, or only athletic, or only personable. It takes a combination of the three qualities to be a successful Naval Officer. Officer candidates must also be of high moral character. Students with criminal records or who have gone beyond experimentation with illegal drugs are not likely officer candidates. Take care in selecting those who will provide written recommendations for you. If a candidate is depicted as being an average run-of-the-mill student, it will detract from the board's assessment of the individual. The application interview with a local active duty officer is also vitally important. Look sharp and present yourself well. College Board scores can be a positive factor for the student, but only insofar as they are supported by actual academic achievement. A student with high SAT or ACT scores, but mediocre grades and class standing, is less desirable than a student with moderate scores and high grades and standing. One is coasting and the other is a hard working achiever.
As an NROTC scholarship student, can I attend the university of my choice?Yes, providing that the University has an NROTC Unit or that it has an agreement with a Unit at a nearby university for you to attend in a "cross-enrolled" status. In the NROTC scholarship application process, you will be asked your university preference. After you receive a scholarship, your admission status at your first choice school will be monitored by that NROTC Unit. If you are denied admission to your first-choice school, or if your choices change due to personal preference, you must notify the Naval Education and Training Command of your new desires. Occasionally, an NROTC Unit's freshmen class may fill. When this happens, scholarship nominees, who had wanted to attend that school, may be asked to attend their second-choice school if they have been admitted there. This is not a common occurrence. MAKE SURE THE CHIEF OF NAVAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING KNOWS WHAT YOUR CURRENT FIRST CHOICE SCHOOL IS, SINCE IT MAY CHANGE THROUGHOUT YOUR SENIOR YEAR.
Can I join the Unit and attend school elsewhere?Yes. You may join our Unit as a "cross-enrolled" student if you would like to attend the University of Colorado at Denver, but the unit discourages attending CU Denver. As a "cross-enrolled" student, you will attend CU Denver as a full time student and come to the CU Boulder campus to attend Naval Science classes. Be sure to take the commute into consideration. Denver is at least a 45-minute commute from Boulder. You will be required to be in Boulder at least four times a week for Naval Science classes, leadership lab, and physical training.