Yes, you can still join NROTC as a “College Program” midshipman, meaning that you will not receive ANY financial assistance from the Navy, but you must adhere to the same requirements as all other midshipmen. As a College Program student, you can compete for a two year scholarship, a three year scholarship, or Advanced Standing (read the NROTC website to learn more details about these different options).
To join, you must contact the ERAU NROTC unit via our website and express your interest. The ERAU NROTC unit only accepts new students in the Fall Semester. We advise that you contact us NLT the April prior to starting your first semester. This will provide enough time to fill out the application materials and turn them in by the deadline, a date which will be posted when the application cycle opens in the Spring of each year. The deadline will be posted in the “Announcements” section of the “Apply” link. If you do not submit your application by the posted deadline of the year you intend to start, you will not be able to try out for the unit until the following year’s fall semester.
Joining as a College Program student is competitive. You must pass a Navy Physical Readiness Test (requirements discussed in a FAQ below), meet Navy height/weight standards (requirements discussed in a FAQ below), and pass at least one interview. Your place in the unit is not assured until after all these events are complete and you are offered admission by unit staff.
Approximately 85% of those who express interest will not matriculate to the unit, so it is to your advantage to prepare diligently for the acceptance process.
Please refer to the question above. The process is exactly the same, but you must:
- Have at least 6 semesters remaining in college.
- Be pursuing an undergraduate degree.
- Be a full time student at ERAU on the Daytona Beach campus.
- Verify you are within age requirements found on the NROTC website, and that you meet all other basic eligibility requirements found on that website.
If you are awarded a four year national scholarship, or are awarded a two/three year scholarship (application submitted by the unit on behalf of its accepted freshmen and sophomore College Program students), then yes. NROTC will NOT pay for any college expenses by simply signing up for the program. See the FAQ above for information on joining as a College Program (non-scholarship) student.
Students who join without being previously awarded the four year national scholarship, known as College Program students, will have to compete against their peers at the unit (and nationally) for a limited number of two and three year scholarships. They can compete after their freshman year for a three year scholarship, and after their sophomore year for a two year scholarship. The unit will handle this application process. See the second FAQ above for information on joining as a College Program (non-scholarship) student.
Two year scholarships and three year scholarships are not a guarantee. “Advanced Standing” is an alternative to being awarded a scholarship and is also NOT a guarantee. Students who are awarded advanced standing their junior year will receive a monthly stipend and a guaranteed commission into the Navy upon graduation, but NO tuition money or book money.
If a student has not been awarded a scholarship or advanced standing by the start of their junior year in college, they cannot continue in the NROTC program. They may, however, choose to contact a Navy recruiter and join the Navy through another route.
It will fund tuition (except flight fees), a book stipend each semester, and a monthly stipend. Again, a scholarship will NOT cover any flight costs associated with any major or minor.
Your scholarship will not pay for: minors (including flight minors), summer tuition, room and board, parking, or flight costs. If you do not complete or you retake a course while at the university, the NROTC scholarship will only cover the cost of your first attempt.
4/C Midshipmen (freshmen) must take (and pass) a Third Class swim test. Scholarship midshipmen must pass prior to going on summer cruise. The test consists of jumping into the pool from a height of 5 feet or greater and swimming unassisted to the surface, swimming 50 yards without holding the wall, stopping, or standing, and a 5 minute prone float. After successfully completing these events, midshipmen will have to demonstrate competency using their uniform blouse and trousers as flotation devices (these skills will be taught here).
If you are a weak swimmer or uncomfortable in the water, start practicing your swimming now. Find a pool (such as a local YMCA) and a swim instructor to get the help you require.
You are expected to pass a Navy Physical Readiness Test (PRT) or Marine Corps Physical Fitness Test (PFT), depending on which option you are applying for, and a Body Composition Assessment (BCA) immediately upon arrival. The Navy PRT consists of a 1.5 mile run, two minutes of pushups (maximum effort), and a maximum effort forearm plank, with a minimum score of "Good Low" in each event. The Marine Corps PFT consists of pull-ups (maximum consecutive), two minutes of crunches (maximum effort), and a three mile run, with a minimum score of 200 overall. The BCA is a comparison of your height and weight. For a given height, you must be a specific weight or less. The Height and Weight standards, along with the PRT/PFT standards, can be found online at the NROTC website.
The following table shows requirements for 20-24 year old males and females to achieve a “Good-Low” in each category on the PRT:
| Male (20-24 years) | Activity | Female (20-24 years) |
|---|---|---|
| 1:40 | Forearm plank | 1:30 |
| 47 | Push-ups | 21 |
| 12:00 | 1.5-mile run | 14:15 |
College Program applicants who fail to meet these standards may be denied acceptance into the unit until they can meet the standard.
For all Marine Option Midshipmen to activate their scholarship and be accepted into the NROTC program, they are required to pass the Marine Corps PFT with a minimum score of 200. Following their entry year, Marine option midshipmen are required to maintain a minimum score of 235 and must have a score of 265 before attending Officer Candidate School the summer before their senior year. Listed below is a link to the current Marine Corps PFT standards:
Weekly requirements after Orientation:
- PT every Tuesday, 0630-0730 / Bloodstripe (USMC option) 1545-1700
- Gadsden, Tuesday 1545-1700
- Leadership Lab, Thursday 1545-1800
- Naval Science courses each semester (Navy option – 3 hours/week, USMC option – 3 hours/week)
During your first semester, you will also be required to attend Study Hall for a minimum of 10 hours each week, Sunday through Thursday, 1700-2200.
Anticipate various other activities such as Drill Team (travel to competitions), Color Guard, civic ceremonies, serving at the VFW, attending Navy League events, mentoring middle or high school students, and other community outreach events.
For all Navy Option Scholarship Midshipmen, the calculus requirement is one year (two semesters) of calculus. At ERAU, that equates to MA 241 and MA 242, both of which must be completed by the end of sophomore year. If ERAU gives you credit for one of these courses you are not required to retake it, however you may choose to retake it to ensure readiness for the next class in the series.
All Navy Scholarship Midshipmen have a physics requirement of one year (two semesters) of calculus based physics. At ERAU, that equates to PS 150 and PS 160, which must be completed by the end of junior year for all scholarship students.
For Marine Option Midshipmen, there are no requirements for calculus or physics beyond their degree. The requirements of your degree are sufficient to cover math and science requirements.
Throughout your time at ERAU remember that grades are your NUMBER ONE priority, and without a degree there can be no commission.