ROTC

The University offers both Army and Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) programs. The Army ROTC program is located on campus with a full-time staff. Air Force ROTC is through the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Freshman and sophomore ROTC classes are open, with no obligation, to students interested in the development of leadership, study skills, and outdoor skills. Further ROTC training can lead to a commission as an officer in the Army or Air Force with service in the National Guard, Reserves, or on Active Duty.

Scholarships, which are merit-based and provide funds for two or three years, are available. For further information, see the Financial Aid section of this catalog. Any Army ROTC student who desires a commission in the National Guard or Army Reserves can obtain a guaranteed reserve forces duty scholarship.

The University encourages students who are interested in the ROTC programs to confer with ROTC staff to determine eligibility requirements.

Air Force/Army ROTC College Incentive

Western New England University will provide up to full (double occupancy) room and board to any student receiving a four-year ROTC scholarship. If the student selects Gateway, Evergreen, or Southwood for residence, they will receive full (double occupancy) room and $1,500. If the ROTC scholarship is less than full tuition, the incentive could be reduced accordingly.

Other students, including Advance Designees, who receive ROTC scholarships after enrolling at the University, will receive full (double occupancy) room during the period that they qualify for the ROTC scholarships.

The incentive will be considered part of all gift aid a student may receive from the University based on merit or need. In no case will the total gift aid provided by the University and external gift aid exceed the student’s direct cost of education.

Air Force ROTC

Full-time undergraduate and graduate students may participate in the Air Force ROTC program at Western New England University. Upon successful completion of the program, students receive a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force or the U.S. Space Force. Classes are open to all students and may be taken for general education credits with no obligation. The University of Massachusetts Amherst is the host Detachment for Air Force ROTC and students attend classes at both UMass and WNE during their college career.

Students who contract and commit to pursuing a commission receive a tax-free $350-$500 per month stipend while participating in ROTC, based on their current academic level (first-year, sophomore, junior, senior). Four-, three-and-a-half, three-, and two-and-a-half year scholarships are available to students who apply and meet the requirement to contract into ROTC to pursue a commission. These tuition scholarships are worth at least $18,000 per year and some cover 100% of tuition at any university.

There are limits to the amount of ROTC credit that can be counted toward a degree. Students majoring within the College of Arts and Sciences are limited to 15 credit hours, College of Business students are limited to 12 credit hours, and College of Engineering students are limited to 3 credit hours, which must be at the 300-level or above.

For more information, please contact AFROTC Det 370 at (413) 545-2437 or by email at afrotc@acad.umass.edu

Army ROTC

Full-time undergraduate and graduate students may participate in the Army ROTC program at Western New England University. Upon successful completion of the program, students receive commissions as Second Lieutenants in the U.S. Army (Active or Reserve). Classes are open to all students and may be taken for general education credits with no obligation.

Students who contract and commit to pursuing their commission receive a $500 per month stipend while participating in ROTC, for the 10 months that they are in school each year. Four-, three- and two-year scholarships are available to students who apply and meet the requirement to contract into ROTC to pursue a commission. These scholarships cover 100% of tuition and fees, $1200 per year for books, and also pay each recipient a $500 per month stipend.

Special programs exist for students with four semesters remaining to earn their degree and for students who desire to pursue a four-semester master’s degree. This program allows the student to complete all ROTC requirements in only two years and gain a commission as a Second Lieutenant. The classes for the first two years are waived in this option.

Any Army ROTC student who desires a commission in the Army National Guard or Army Reserves may be eligible for a Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty Scholarship. For further information refer to contact listed below.

There are limits to the amount of ROTC credit that can be counted toward a degree. Students majoring within the College of Arts and Sciences are limited to 15 credit hours, College of Business students are limited to 12 credit hours, and College of Engineering students are limited to 3 credit hours, which must be at the 300-level or above.

For information contact an assistant professor of Military Leadership at the Western New England University ROTC building at 413-782-1332, or armyrotc@umass.edu.

Special Academic Opportunities

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Special Academic Opportunities