Scholarships for ROTC Students

History of the Military Science Scholarship Endowment Fund

LTC Michael Rainbolt, retired, established the Military Science Scholarship Endowment Fund (MSSEF) in 1991 to provide privately funded scholarships for Army ROTC cadets at OSU and WOU. The MSSEF is a 501(c)3 charitable organization not affiliated with BCF.  As MSSEF grew, scholarship opportunities were expanded to include cadets and midshipmen from the Air Force and Naval Science programs.

In 1996, LTC Rainbolt approached BCF with a proposal to accept management of the endowed scholarships that he had created. In the ensuing years, Mike transferred these endowments to BCF and new endowments were created. ROTC scholarships are open to ROTC students at Oregon State University and its extension campuses, including, but not limited to WOU, Corban University, and OSU Cascade. In 2009 the scope of the original effort was expanded further to include support to veterans, military families, and military children through the establishment of several designated funds and a donor advised fund. This expanded support gives the Benton Community Foundation the flexibility to support a wide range of military and veteran needs.

The ROTC scholarships are awarded in honor and remembrance of the men and women who have served their country in the military in World War I, World War II, Korea, the “Cold War,” Vietnam, Desert Storm, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

Application Process

Nominees for ROTC Scholarships are selected on the basis of recommendation by the respective ROTC Commander.  If you are an ROTC student at Oregon State University or its extension campuses, including, but not limited to WOU, Corban University, and OSU Cascade, please fill out the application if you believe you are eligible to receive one of the scholarships listed below.

Unless otherwise stated, eligibility for award of these scholarships is based on financial need, academic performance, and leadership. In addition, all recipients must meet the following general criteria:

• Full-time ROTC student who will return to the university for Fall term, with a minimum of one remaining academic term for graduation (undergraduate) and commissioning.
• At least sophomore standing in both ROTC and the university at the time of selection.
• Priority should be given to juniors, seniors and completion ROTC students (those who have completed ROTC classes, but have remaining graduation requirements).
• Contracted at the time funds are distributed to the student.
• Good academic standing with the student’s university – minimum 2.5 accumulative university GPA required at the start of Fall term. Funds may not be carried forward to a subsequent term.
• Good standing in the respective ROTC unit – minimum 3.0 ROTC GPA, meet physical fitness requirements, and successful completion of any required summer training at the start of Fall Term.
• Recommended for award by the appropriate professor (Professors of Military Science, Naval Science or Air Force Studies).