Cadet Command officials estimated about 500 soldiers applied to take advantage of the Army's Green to Gold ROTC scholarship program for the next academic year. Applications must have been submitted by April 1. These scholarships are available for soldiers currently on active duty who will have completed at least two years of active duty before classes begin. Selected soldiers are allowed to voluntarily request discharge from active duty, enroll in Army ROTC, and earn a bachelor's degree and a commission as a second lieutenant.
Scholarships can be for two, three or four years.
According to Cadet Command officials, about 750 former soldiers are attending courses on Green to Gold scholarships in any given academic year. In return, the soldier incurs an eight-year commitment. This may be served on active duty, in the National Guard or Army Reserve, or a combination of the three. A person who already has some college credit can still apply for a scholarship, as long as at least two years remain in a degree-granting program. This money may also be used for a graduate degree program.