Information About Joining NROTC

NROTC Berkeley offers a number of different options to become a commissioned officer in the US Navy or US Marine Corps. The different options available are listed below.

Acceptance into the NROTC program does not constitute acceptance into the University itself. It is your responsibility to gain admission into the University. Contact University admissions for information on acceptance.

4-Year Scholarship (Navy Option)

Applicants for the 4-Year NROTC scholarship program are awarded positions through a highly competitive national selection process. Upon graduation, the recipient will be a commissioned naval officer and is obligated to a minimum of 4 years active duty. The scholarship recipient will receive full tuition and other financial benefits including class fees, a textbook stipend and a monthly stipend for subsistence. NROTC scholarships do not pay for room and board or personal items such as computers. Applicants for 4 year NROTC scholarships must meet these eligibility requirements:

You must be a U.S. citizen.

You must be at least 17 years of age by September 1 of the year you are starting college and less than 27 years of age on June 30 of the year in which you are eligible for graduation and commissioned status. An age waiver may be granted for prior active military service, on a month-for-month basis, computed as of 1 September of the year of enrollment in NROTC, provided you will not reach your 30th birthday by 30 June of the year in which graduation and commissioning are anticipated.

You must be a high school graduate or possess equivalency certificate by August 1 of the year you are applying.

You must have no moral or personal convictions which prevent the bearing of arms in defense of the United States and you must be deemed physically qualified.

You must meet minimum SAT test scores of 530 verbal and 520 math or minimum ACT test score of 22 verbal and 21 math.

You are also responsible for gaining acceptance to a certified NROTC university. Acceptance does not guarantee assignment to that school, so it is recommended that you apply to at least 3 of your desired universities.

Students that have more than 1 year of college credit are not eligible for the 4-year scholarship and should discuss other options with the professor of naval science at the university which they attended.

4-Year Scholarship (Marine Option)

Application eligibility for the NROTC scholarship Marine Option program are the same as Navy 4-year EXCEPT the minimum SAT test scores are 1000 composite or the minimum ACT test scores 22 composite.

2-Year Scholarship

The 2 year scholarship program covers tuition, fees, uniforms plus a textbook stipend and a monthly stipend for subsistence for a maximum of 20 academic months for the junior and senior years of college only. The deadline date is 15 March of the applicant’s sophomore year.

Cross-Town Enrollment

Currently there are three other colleges that are part of the NROTC Unit in Berkeley. Stanford University, University of California Davis, and California Maritime Academy. Once a week, these Midshipmen commute to Berkeley to conduct drill exercises, PT, etc.

College Program

Interested college students can join their Navy ROTC unit through the Two-year or Four-year College Program. Students must join the Four-year College Program prior to the start of their sophomore year, and incur no obligation to the Navy until accepted into advanced standing in their junior year. Additionally, Four-year College Program students can be eligible for three or two-year scholarships.

Scholarship Benefits

Full tuition and fees

Textbook stipend

Monthly subsistence allowance during each school year

-$250 for freshmen
-$300 for sophomores
-$350 for juniors
-$400 for seniors