The mission of the NROTC San Diego’s Preparatory Program is to enhance a midshipman candidate’s moral, mental, and physical foundations in order to prepare him or her for success in the NROTC San Diego Consortium’s Battalion of Midshipman. NROTC San Diego Preparatory Program is an expanded partnershipwith the University of San Diego and the Navy, to capture untapped talent and potential. The objective of this program is to recruit, groom, and educate a year-group of officers that best reflects the projected future needs of the Navy. This program is designed to attract students who are committed to S.T.E.M. fields of study but may have been disadvantaged from achieving high standardized achievement test scores, or exposure to extracurricular activities, due to socioeconomic status. Selectees to the program stand out from their peers in their propensity to serve as a Naval Officer, as recommended by their high school faculty or NJROTC Senior Naval Science Instructor.
This scholarship opportunity is a 5-year education pathway to a commission as a Naval Officer and is designed to improve students’ academic and life skills to the point they are prepared to compete in the rigorous academic challenges associated with the NROTC program. The program consists of a “preparatory year” where a student participates at the University of San Diego’s scholastic preparatory program on campus. The preparatory year tuition, fees, and housing is entirely funded by the university. Upon successful completion of the university’s preparatory year, the student is awarded a 4-year NROTC National Scholarship which provides full tuition and fee coverage, as well as other benefits.
During the preparatory year, students will receive:
- Full year scholarship including room and board
- Academic mentoring and advising
- Focused educational skills courses
- Association with NROTC unit, including physical fitness training
For a list of approved majors, please refer to the approved Preparatory Program majors.
For a full list of eligibility requirements, please refer to the NSTC Preparatory Program Instruction.
The preparatory program is not available for Marine Option midshipmen candidates.
Get Started
Apply to the University of San Diego via the Common Application by January 31.
Decided on a major from the approved Prep Program majors.
Meet with your Senior Naval Science Instructor (SNSI) or JROTC Representative regarding the program and request a letter of recommendation. If you have questions regarding the program please reach out to USD Admissions Counselor Scott Yahner (syahner@sandiego.edu) or NROTCPrep@sandiego.edu
Expect to attend the NROTC New Student Indoctrination program at Great Lakes, IL and Summer Bridge Program at USD upon acceptance to the program.
Enroll in 12 units each semester of your first year, according to the academic advisor plan for your major. Participate in routine physical fitness training with the NROTC unit and Student Success Services programs.
Upon completion of 24 units with at least a 2.8 cumulative grade point average, and with the recommendation of the Commanding Officer of NROTC at USD, you will receive the 4 year National NROTC Scholarship covering all tuition and fees through your graduation from USD. The National Scholarship does not cover room and board.*
*Unique to USD, you will also receive additional scholarship funding from USD to cover the cost of your on-campus room and board through your graduation.
Upon completion of your degree you will commission as an officer in the U.S. Navy and report to your first duty station.
Submit your application for USD Preparatory Program Scholarship by January 15.