Article "Is it Worth Joining the Military to Pay for College?" - Visit each Military Academy/Program page for specific application information. Contact your Counselor, Career Coach, or Chief Williams for more information.

General Information about all Summer/Youth Military Opportunities

Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Programs- Opens August 1 - Due November 1; The Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) places high school students in Department of Navy (DoN) laboratories where they take part in real Naval research for eight weeks during the summer. It is designed to give talented sophomores, juniors, and seniors interested in STEM the opportunity to learn about Naval research and technology while receiving first-class mentoring by top scientists and engineers.

Summer Seminar Air Force Academy- Opens December 1 - Due January 15; Summer Seminar at the United States Air Force Academy gives students the opportunity to experience life on campus firsthand. Specially designed for high school juniors heading into their senior year, Summer Seminar allows participants to live like a U.S. Air Force Academy cadet for four days.

AEOP- Army Educational Outreach Program- Due February 28; The AEOP High School Apprenticeship. Spend your summer in a university research lab or in one of the U.S. Army Research Laboratories and Centers through this unique apprenticeship opportunity. You will experience firsthand the innovation and research that is driving the future of our country.

SAME Engineering & Construction Summer Camps - Due March 15; Each camp has a unique curriculum that generally features hands-on activities conducted in a competitive environment that promote teamwork, leadership, project management, and problem solving. Campers are supervised by mentors made up of professional engineers, engineering students, military personnel, educators, and other STEM professionals. The Arkansas Post of SAME offers sponsorships for these camps.  They will pay all of the camp fees, airfare and other transportation costs.  When completing the application and when you pick the Post that you wish to sponsor you, choose the Arkansas Post to request their sponsorship. The Arkansas Post requires any student to be at least 15 years old.  Students who attend these camps will be given preference for the “The Study of Engineering or Architecture scholarship” (Please see the State & National Scholarships tab and scroll down to the month of April. 

Summer Leader Experience at West Point Academy US Military- Due March 15; The West Point Summer Leader Experience (SLE) provides rising high school seniors with a week-long immersion into the academic, military, and social life of a cadet. At SLE, you will explore West Point from all angles, including our high-tech educational facilities, team building athletic activities, and realistic military training. You will get a taste of Cadet Life through the entire program, which is led by current West Point cadets. Application

Summer Seminar Naval Academy- Due March 31; For juniors entering into their senior year. Summer Seminar gives you a taste of life at the Academy and kick-starts your application journey for an appointment to the Academy. For one week in June, you will experience first-class academic, athletic and professional training while building lifelong friendships with campers from all over the country.

Academy Introduction Mission (AIM) US Coast Guard- Due April 15; If you are considering applying to a military service academy, interested in serving your country and identify with the guardian ethos of the Coast Guard, then you should apply for AIM. AIM is exclusively for students about to begin their senior year of high school. Application

NROTC - Thinking of joining a NROTC program in college? Look here to find colleges that offer ROTC programs and the application process/deadlines.

National Preparatory Scholarship Reservations- Open April 1 - January 31; The purpose of the Navy ROTC Program is to educate and train qualified young men and women for service as commissioned officers in the Navy's unrestricted line, the Navy Nurse Corps and the Marine Corps. As the largest single source of Navy and Marine Corps officers, the Navy ROTC Scholarship Program plays an important role in preparing mature young men and women for leadership and management positions in an increasingly technical Navy and Marine Corps.

Whether you’re a college-bound high school student or already attending a college or university, Army ROTC has scholarships available. Scholarships are awarded based on a student’s merit and grades, not financial need.

US Army Scholarship Opportunities

Army ROTC Scholarship- Due March 1; Two, three, and four-year scholarship options based on the time remaining to complete your degree; Full-tuition scholarships; the option for room and board in place of tuition, if you should qualify, additional allowances for books and fees. Contact your local army recruiter for more information. Application

US Navy Scholarship Opportunities

Navy ROTC Scholarships- Open April 1- January 31; (FULL TUITION SCHOLARSHIP) The Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) is a multi-year program that runs concurrently with a student’s normal college or university educational course of study. In addition to a normal academic workload leading to a Bachelor’s degree, NROTC students attend classes in Naval Science, participate in unit drill and physical training, and other activities. Students are also taught the leadership principles and high ideals of a military officer. During the summer break between school years, NROTC students participate in a variety of training courses. These periods of instruction help students understand different career options, as well as familiarize them with a military life. Upon graduation students are commissioned as second lieutenants in the Marine Corps. Contact your local Marine Corp. Recruiter for more information. Application.

Department of Defense Scholarship Opportunity

DOD SMART Scholarship Program - Opens August 1; SMART offers scholarships for undergraduate, master's, and doctoral students currently pursuing a degree in one of the 21 STEM disciplines. SMART scholars receive full tuition, annual stipends, internships, and guaranteed employment with the DoD after graduation.

Academies/Military Colleges

Military College/Academies - Thinking of joining a military academy or college? Use this link to look at opportunities for military/college training!

 The West Point Academy (Army)
 The United States Naval Academy (Navy)
The United States Air Force Academy (Air Force)
The United States Coast Guard Academy (Coast Guard)