Points of Contact

Pennsylvania Army National Guard
Staff Sergeant Sean Barazotto
Pennsylvania Army National Guard
Email: sean.p.barazotto.mil@army.mil
Phone (Cell): 814-330-6141

United States Army Reserve
Sergeant First Class David Cruz
United States Army Reserve
Email: david.cruz12.mil@army.mil 
Phone (Cell): 814-889-8009

Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP)

Students who contract as a Simultaneous Membership Program Cadet simultaneously enroll in ROTC and belong to an Army Reserve or National Guard unit. A student can become an SMP Cadet in their sophomore year and become non-deployable while in college. SMP Cadets, scholarship and non-scholarship, receive:

  • Experience working with an officer during drill, learning the job of an officer.
  • Drill pay as a Sergeant (E-5): $348.04/mo (for calendar year 2022)
  • ROTC stipend of $420 per month while in school

Other benefits that SMP students may qualify for:

  • Federal Tuition Assistance: $250 per credit (for 12 – 18 credits; up to $4500 per year)
  • Reserve GI Bill: $288/mo (must have completed Basic and AIT)
  • Reserve GI Bill Kicker: $350/mo (must receive Reserve GI Bill benefits and be in a select specialty or unit)
  • Educational Assistance Program: $4,097.00 per semester (PA Army National Guard only 2019-2020)

Non-scholarship SMP Cadets can apply for an active-duty, Army National Guard, or Army Reserve commission. Some benefits may be recouped if the Cadet chooses and is selected to serve on active duty upon commissioning.

Guaranteed Reserve Force Duty Scholarship

The Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty (GRFD) program is designed for Cadets who are interested in obtaining a commission in the U.S. Army Reserves or National Guard with a guarantee for a reserve component assignment. Scholarships cover full tuition and mandatory fees, and range in length up to 3 years. Scholarship awardees also receive a book allowance and a monthly stipend. These Cadets also receive weekend drill and annual training pay as participants in the Simultaneous Membership Program.

Basic Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen
  • Must not reach 31 years of age by December 31st of the year you will graduate from college
  • Have a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
  • Score a minimum of 920 on the SAT and 19 on the ACT.
  • Have no or only minor infractions of the law
  • Have no moral or personal conviction against bearing arms to include armed combat or supporting and defending the Constitution of the United States
  • Must complete the ROTC Basic Course requirements or Basic Combat Training
  • Must be willing to participate in the SMP program with a Guard or Reserve unit. If you do not belong to a unit, you must obtain a letter of acceptance to the unit, stating that they will accept you as a SMP Cadet
  • Must be medically qualified

The Dedicated Army National Guard GRFD and Dedicated Army Reserve GRFD Scholarships:

  • 2, 2.5, or 3 year scholarship
  • Pays full tuition and mandatory fees or room and board
  • Pays $1200 per year for books
  • ROTC Monthly Stipend as an MSII, MSIII or MSIV: $350, $450, or $500, respectively during the fall and spring semesters
  • Awarded by the Army National Guard and Army Reserve
  • Must become an SMP (see above)
  • Must be aligned in both academics and military science courses to graduate and commission in 2-3 years
  • Must actively drill as a Cadet with a National Guard or Army Reserve Unit (where the Cadet will receive drill pay as an E-5 or above, $287.92/mo for calendar year 2013)
  • Must serve 8 years after college actively drilling in the Reserve Component, the Army National Guard or Army Reserve, that awarded the scholarship
  • CANNOT use Chapter 1606 or Chapter 1607 Montgomery G.I. Bill benefits while receiving a Dedicated GRFD scholarship
  • CANNOT revoke Dedicated GRFD scholarship nor request active duty immediately after college

 

Get in Contact with Us:

Penn State Army ROTC Interest Form