Guide · Sources checked
How the Army ROTC scholarship board decides
High-school applicants for the Army ROTC 4-year scholarship are reviewed by the Army ROTC National Scholarship Board. [A1] For the High School Class of 2027 it reviews applications in 3 rounds. [A1] goarmy.com says ROTC scholarships are awarded based on academic achievements. [A1]
The Army does not publish its current scoring weights. This guide tells you what the official sources say, gives the date of each source, and marks what the Army does not publish.
What the Army board looks at
To apply, goarmy.com says you must: [A1]
- Be a U.S. citizen.
- Be at least 17, and under 31 in the year you commission.
- Have a high-school diploma or equivalent.
- Have an unweighted high-school GPA of at least 2.50.
- Have taken the SAT or ACT. goarmy.com gives no minimum score.
- Pass the Army Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA), and later the Army Fitness Test when you contract.
- Meet the waist-to-height ratio standards.
- Agree to accept a commission and serve in the Army, Army Reserve or Army National Guard.
Cadet Command scores each high-school applicant with a Whole Person Score. Its 2016 regulation says the score uses a 1,400-point scale, and that the cut-off line for scholarships depends on available funding and the applicant pool. [A3]
How the Whole Person Score is built
The newest public document that splits the 1,400 points is Cadet Command Pamphlet 145-1, revised in November 2012. [A4] It gave these points:
| Area (2012 pamphlet) | Points |
|---|---|
| SAT/ACT scores (College Board scores) | 250 |
| Scholar, athletics and leadership (SAL) | 200 |
| Interview | 200 |
| Selection board score | 350 |
| Cadet Background and Experience Form (CBEF) | 250 |
| Physical fitness test | 150 |
| Total | 1,400 |
The same pamphlet says Cadet Command scores every area itself except the interview and the selection board. It also warns that an incomplete application can make you less competitive because of its effect on the Whole Person Score. [A4]
What the Army does not publish: goarmy.com gives no current point values, no cut-off score and no selection rate. The 2016 regulation keeps the 1,400-point scale but does not repeat the split. [A1, A3] The 2012 values may have changed since. Ask the Recruiting Operations Officer at your school for current guidance.
The interview with the Professor of Military Science
Cadet Command screens applications for eligibility at the national level, then releases them to the Professor of Military Science (PMS) at an Army ROTC battalion for the interview. [A3]
In the 2012 pamphlet, the battalion interviews students assigned to it by zip code, face to face. The PMS asks you to bring a copy of your transcript. During the interview process the battalion also confirms your height and weight, and checks that you took the fitness test and sent your transcript. [A4]
goarmy.com tells you to contact the Recruiting Operations Officer at the school you plan to attend after you start your application. [A1]
The fitness assessment
The scholarship fitness assessment has 3 events, on the ROTC Scholarship PFA Scorecard (USACC Form 145-1-1, June 2025): [A2]
- Push-ups, 1 minute. Lower your body as one unit until your upper arms are at least parallel to the ground. A repetition does not count if your body is not straight or your arms do not extend fully.
- Sit-ups, 1 minute. Arms folded across your chest, knees bent, feet flat. Someone may hold your feet.
- 1-mile run. The course must be exactly 1 mile over reasonably level ground. A treadmill is not allowed.
Any adult who is not related to you can monitor the assessment. The Army recommends a JROTC instructor, coach, PE teacher or an adult with similar experience. Upload the form to your online application. [A2]
Board dates for this cycle
You must start the application by the final start date to be reviewed by the National Scholarship Board. Each round has its own due date and review week. [A1]
Next cutoff: Board 2: documents cutoff, January 18, 2027. Final cutoff: Start by Mar 4, 2027 · documents by Mar 8.
| Board | Application cutoff | Documents cutoff | Board meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Board 1 (Round 01) | — | Oct 12, 2026 | Oct 19–23, 2026 |
| Board 2 (Round 02) | — | Jan 18, 2027 | Jan 25–29, 2027 |
| Board 3 (Round 03), final | Mar 4, 2027 (start) | Mar 8, 2027 | Mar 15–19, 2027 |
Army ROTC gives the date but not the time of day. The clock counts to 11:59 p.m. Eastern.
Army ROTC deadline countdown and reminders
The 2012 pamphlet says each applicant is boarded once but is considered in each round until selected. [A4] goarmy.com does not say whether this still applies.
What you can still improve before the next board
- Meet the round's due date. Each round has a due date and a review week. [A1] Cadet Command's 2012 pamphlet warns that an incomplete application can make you less competitive. [A4]
- Prepare for the PMS interview. In the 2012 pamphlet, the interview had its own points in the score. [A4] Bring your transcript.
- Train for the 3 fitness events as written. The scorecard rules decide which repetitions count, [A2] and the 2012 pamphlet gave the fitness test its own points. [A4]
- Report your scholar, athlete and leader activities fully. They were a scored area in the 2012 pamphlet. [A4]
- SAT/ACT retakes. Test scores were a scored area in the 2012 pamphlet, [A4] but goarmy.com does not say how the Army treats a new score after you apply. Ask the Recruiting Operations Officer.
See all Army ROTC scholarships.
Questions
What is the Army ROTC Whole Person Score?
It is the total score used to rank each high-school scholarship applicant. Cadet Command's 2016 regulation puts it on a 1,400-point scale. Its 2012 pamphlet splits the points among SAT/ACT scores, scholar-athlete-leader activities, the interview, the selection board, the Cadet Background and Experience Form and the fitness test.
How much is each part of the Army ROTC scholarship score worth?
The 2012 Cadet Command pamphlet gave 250 points to SAT/ACT scores, 200 to scholar, athletics and leadership, 200 to the interview, 350 to the selection board, 250 to the Cadet Background and Experience Form and 150 to the fitness test. goarmy.com does not publish the current weights, so treat these as a guide, not as current policy.
When are the Army ROTC scholarship board dates?
There are 3 rounds each cycle. goarmy.com gives a due date and a review week for each round. The dates for this cycle are in the board table on this page and on our Army ROTC deadline page.
What is the minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score for an Army ROTC scholarship?
goarmy.com asks for an unweighted high-school GPA of at least 2.50. It says you must have taken the SAT or ACT, but it does not give a minimum score.
What is on the Army ROTC scholarship fitness assessment?
Push-ups for 1 minute, sit-ups for 1 minute and a 1-mile run. Any adult who is not related to you can monitor it. The Army suggests a JROTC instructor, coach or PE teacher. The run course must be exactly 1 mile over reasonably level ground, and a treadmill is not allowed.
What happens if I am not selected at the first Army board?
The 2012 Cadet Command pamphlet says each applicant is boarded once but is considered in each round until selected. goarmy.com does not say whether this still applies. Ask the Recruiting Operations Officer at the school you plan to attend.
What do I owe the Army if I accept the scholarship?
goarmy.com says acceptance means an 8-year service obligation in the Army, Army Reserve or Army National Guard. Scholarship recipients can leave ROTC after their freshman year of college without an obligation.
Sources
We used only official documents and service web pages. Where a source does not publish a number, this guide says so. We do not repeat numbers from forums or consultants.
- [A1] Army ROTC Scholarships. U.S. Army (goarmy.com). Web page, read October 14, 2026 (High School Class of 2027 dates).
- [A2] The ROTC Scholarship Physical Fitness Assessment Scorecard (USACC Form 145-1-1). U.S. Army Cadet Command. June 2025.
- [A3] USACC Regulation 145-1, Army ROTC Incentives Policy. U.S. Army Cadet Command. Effective August 2, 2016. Copy hosted by the Army ROTC program at Southeastern Louisiana University. Newest public version we found.
- [A4] Cadet Command Pamphlet 145-1, Army ROTC Incentives Procedures. U.S. Army Cadet Command. Revised November 6, 2012. Copy hosted by the Army ROTC program at Illinois State University. Newest public version we found.
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