Last Updated on November 16, 2023
This guide provides helpful information for those planning on applying for a scholarship through the United States Navy during Fiscal Year 2024.
The Navy has various scholarship programs to assist you pay for school so you may have a typical college experience and concentrate on your academics before joining the Navy.
Through these programs, you will join the Navy as a Commissioned Officer – a member of the Navy who possesses a 4-year college or university degree and has completed Officer Training.
Navy Officers handle everything from low-level management to the highest levels of command.
You do not have to put your education on waiting to join the Navy.
In fact, much of your on-the-job training and experience may be immediately transferred to college credit.
It is a win-win situation since you are paid to work on your degree while also serving your nation.
Officer posts typically demand an initial service commitment of 3-5 years, while positions requiring longer-term training may require a lengthier service commitment.
Navy Scholarship Programs
NAVY BACCALAUREATE DEGREE COMPLETION (BDCP)
The Baccalaureate Degree Completion Program is a collegiate program that provides a financial incentive for college students to successfully complete their baccalaureate degree requirements and get a commission as an Unrestricted Line (URL) Officer in selected communities after completing Officer Candidate School (OCS).
Learn more about the Navy BDCP.
Eligibility Requirements
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Be at least 19 years old
- Be physically suitable
- Be enrolled as a full-time student or accepted at a four-year recognized college or institution that does not offer an NROTC program
- Have completed 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours
- Have at least a 2.8 GPA on a 4.0 scale
Scholarship Benefits
- Competitive income with room for advancement
- 30 days of paid vacation each year
- Early leadership experience and responsibility
- Medical and dental care for you and your family at a low cost via TRICARE
- Tax-free housing and food allowances
- Low-cost life insurance
- Cost-effective shopping at military commissaries and department shops (exchanges)
- Postgraduate education options
- Comprehensive retirement program
NUCLEAR PROPULSION OFFICER CANDIDATE (NUPOC)
After commissioning as a Nuclear Submarine Officer or a Nuclear Surface Warfare Officer, serve in the Navy for five years.
Six months of technical instruction at the Nuclear Power Training Center in Charleston, SC is followed by six months of hands-on training at a Nuclear Power Training Unit.
Eligibility Requirements
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Be 19-29 years old at the time of commissioning (waivers up to 31 years old considered)
- Be physically suitable
- 30 months or fewer to graduation
- Completed 1 year of calculus and physics with a “C” or higher
- Be a student at a regionally accredited institution or university
Service Benefits
- Sign-on incentive of $15,000
- Earn up to $168,300 while in college
- Medical/dental insurance and life insurance
- Full-time student, no military obligations while in college
- Years spent enrolled in college count toward retirement
- Training completion bonus of $2,000 (paid after Nuclear Power Training Unit)
NUCLEAR POWER INSTRUCTOR/NAVAL REACTORS ENGINEER
Serve five years as a Nuclear Power Instructor at the Nuclear Power Training Center in Charleston, SC, or as a Naval Reactors Engineer at the Naval Reactors Headquarters in Washington, DC.
Eligibility Requirements
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Be 19-29 years old at the time of commissioning (waivers up to 35 years old considered)
- Be physically suitable
- 30 months or fewer to graduation
- Completed 1 year of calculus and physics with a “C” or higher
- Be a student at a regionally accredited institution or university
Service Benefits
- Sign-on incentive of $15,000
- Earn up to $168,300 while in college
- Medical/dental insurance and life insurance
- Full-time student, no military obligations while in college
- Years spent enrolled in college count toward retirement
- No Sea Duty is necessary
HEALTH SERVICES COLLEGIATE PROGRAM (HSCP)
This award gives financial assistance for education and a position as a Commissioned Officer in the Navy Medical Corps, Medical Service Corps, or Dental Corps upon graduation.
Learn more about the Navy HSCP.
Eligibility Requirements
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Be physically suitable
- Be enrolled or approved for transfer to a recognized college or university in a program leading to a degree in a defined health profession
- Less than 48 months before graduation (Medical Service Corps-36 months or fewer)
- Possess a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
Service Benefits
- Earn up to $269,000 while pursuing a degree
- Medical/dental/vision coverage
- Tax-free shopping at military outlets (Commissaries and exchanges)
- Tax-free housing and food allowances
- 30 paid vacation days per year
- Promotion opportunities
- Eligibility for a VA loan
- Housing allowance
NURSE CANDIDATE PROGRAM (NCP)
This scholarship program provides financial aid to full-time students taking part in an authorized baccalaureate nursing program, leading to a commission as a Naval Officer in the Navy Nurse Corps.
Learn more about the Navy Nurse Candidate Program.
Eligibility Requirements
- Be a U.S. Citizen
- Be between 18 and 42 years old at commissioning
- Be physically suitable
- Be enrolled full time or accepted into a baccalaureate-granting nursing program
- Have completed the first or second year of a baccalaureate nursing program and have over six months of academic work remaining before graduation
- Have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
Service Benefits
- Earn $1,000 a month up to a maximum of 24 months
- $10,000 split accession bonus
HEALTH PROFESSION SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM (HPSP)
Receive a scholarship for medical, dental, or optometry school and have a job waiting for you when you graduate.
Learn more about the Navy HPSP.
Eligibility Requirements
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Be physically suitable
- In order to be considered, candidates must have been accepted into the next entering class or be enrolled in a school of medicine, osteopathy, dentistry, or optometry in the United States or Puerto Rico that is accredited by the LCME, AACOM, ADA (dental), or COE (optometric)
Service Benefits
- Graduate debt-free; incur no high start-up costs; and do not need malpractice insurance since the Navy will cover you
- All school-related fees, annual tuition, and expenses (except room and board), reimbursement for books and equipment, and a monthly stipend of $2,330.78
CIVIL ENGINEERING CORPS (CEC) COLLEGIATE PROGRAM
Allows students to concentrate on finishing their degree without having to have a part-time job.
They will graduate with a guaranteed position as a commissioned officer in the United States Navy Civil Engineer Corps.
Learn more about the Navy Civil Engineer Corps Collegiate Program.
Eligibility Requirements
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Be physically suitable
- Age 19-42 on the day of commissioning
- Minimum GPA of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale (engineering or architecture degree)
- Graduate within 24 months or fewer while meeting the minimum academic requirements (in an accredited ABET or NAAB program)
Service Benefits
- Earn up to $113,100 per year while in college
- Medical/dental insurance and life insurance
- Opportunities for promotion while in college
- College years enrolled in program count toward retirement; military responsibilities begin when a degree is achieved
More Information
If you’re interested in pursuing one of these scholarship programs, the next logical step is to contact your local Naval Officer Recruiter.
Let’s figure out if you qualify for any of these educational financial assistance programs.
Now, if you’re close to graduating from college and do not need a scholarship, read this helpful guide on How to Become a Naval Officer so you can compete for a direct commission instead.
Remember, after school, you also get to serve in the World’s Greatest Navy and lead America’s top young talents. This is a great privilege for you and your family.
