The Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty Scholarship Program (also known as the GRFD) is designed to attract cadets who are interested in obtaining a commission in the United States Army Reserves or Washington Army National Guard (also known as the USAR / WAARNG) by allowing them to receive an early guarantee for such an assignment. Students apply for these scholarships the spring quarter of their sophomore year.
To be eligible for this scholarship you must be a junior with 6 quarters remaining until graduation. Both of these Scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis. If the interested student is currently enlisted in the USAR or WAARNG, there must be a minimum of four years remaining on their enlistment contract.
Recipients of this scholarship must also agree to serve in the Army Reserve or the Washington Army National Guard after commissioning for a period of not less than eight years. All eight years must be performed in active drilling status or benefits received are subject to recoupment. An active duty period of 4-6 months is also required for branch training purposes. MGIB KICKER benefits may be used in addition to GRFD Scholarship benefits.
The GRFD scholarship pays 100% for tuition and provides $1200/yr for books and supplies. Interested students must be willing to enlist in the USAR or the WAARNG for a period of not less than six years in order to be eligible. The SU provides the tuition and room and board grants for GRFD scholarship winners as well. Members of the National Guard and Reserve may also be eligible for additional benefits, such as GI Bill
Must be a member of the U.S. Army Reserve or Washington Army National Guard or be willing to join the USAR or WAARNG as a Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP) participant.
Individuals desiring a GRFD Scholarship who do not yet belong to a U.S. Army Reserve unit must submit a letter of acceptance from a U.S. Army Reserve / Guard TPU stating that they will accept the individual in the SMP.
Must have completed a minimum of 54 semester hours or 81 quarter hours towards their degree and they must have two full academic years remaining. Students with two years left in a graduate program are also eligible.
The required cumulative GPA for scholarship consideration is 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. Waivers may be submitted to the local ROTC Region Commander.
Army Basic Training and technical skill training is not an eligibility requirement, but interested students must complete the ROTC Basic Course or an equivalent in order to be eligible.