Military Science

Military Science centers on the theory and application of leadership and management fundamentals and also includes professional knowledge subjects, physical training, small unit tactics, and basic military skills. The program sponsors the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC), leading to duty as a commissioned officer in the active Army, Reserves, or National Guard.

The program is a part of the United States Army Cadet Command. Classes and activities are conducted on the Lafayette and Lehigh campuses under the auspices of Lehigh University's ROTC program, which acts as the local headquarters for ROTC and Military Science instruction.

Any student may take ROTC classes during any semester. To be eligible for commissioning as an officer, however, a student must have at least two years until graduation upon entry into ROTC. Non-scholarship students incur no military obligation until their junior year. Students continuing in ROTC beyond their sophomore year may sign a contractual agreement leading to a commission as a Second Lieutenant in one of more than 20 branches of the Army upon graduation. Cadets receive a tax-free monthly stipend of $420 during the academic school year.

Four-year ROTC scholarships cover full tuition and fees and also offer a stipend and $900 per year for books. Scholarships are available to those who will be entering Lafayette College as first-year students. Active scholarships cover full tuition at any college or university or a flat rate of $12,000 for room and board. Students usually choose the second option if outside scholarships and grants cover more than the cost of room and board. However, Lafayette College offers supplemental room and board scholarships to cadets with active scholarships meaning that many cadets at these institutions attend them at no cost. Additionally, active scholarships provide a book stipend of $1,200 per year. 

Depending on where you are on your military journey, there are many different scholarship options. All outcomes are the same: full tuition coverage (during the activated period), a tax-free stipend, book allowances, and commissioning into the world’s greatest Army as a 2nd Lieutenant.

All Army ROTC scholarships are awarded based on ROTC’s Scholar, Athlete, Leader (SAL) model, and recipients incur a military obligation.

For more information, see "Military Science" section.