New Bill Offers Financial Relief for ROTC Cadets

Concerns about economic opportunity for young Americans have intensified, particularly regarding social mobility for those at the lower income levels. Traditionally, a university education is seen as a path toward improvement. Yet, many high school seniors grapple with the pressing question: how can I afford higher education?

For over a century, the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) has provided a solution to this dilemma for countless young adults. This program, offered by various branches of the Armed Forces, presents a compelling offer: assistance with educational costs in exchange for rigorous training and a commitment to service after graduation.

Despite these attractive benefits, there are limitations. Each ROTC program can award only a limited number of four-year scholarships. Most cadets are often left relying on two or three-year scholarships, meaning they must cover their freshman and sophomore years independently. This scenario poses a challenge, considering that many ROTC programs discourage outside employment to ensure cadets can achieve high academic standards and fulfill program requirements.

For non-resident cadets studying at Arizona’s public universities, this issue is urgent. Many face out-of-state tuition that exceeds $28,000 annually, alongside over $10,000 in living expenses, leaving them financially strained before their ROTC scholarships become available.

To mitigate these financial burdens, State Sen. Wendy Rogers, R-Flagstaff, has proposed a bill, SB1021, that would grant in-state residency status to contracted ROTC cadets. If enacted, Arizona would follow Tennessee in providing this benefit, potentially saving affected cadets thousands of dollars in tuition and helping them avoid substantial student debt.

Critics may argue that cadets could enlist in the Arizona National Guard or reserves to secure in-state status. While this is an option, it generally eliminates the possibility of pursuing a career in active duty after graduation.

Fairness principles suggest that if AmeriCorps volunteers and other groups can obtain in-state residency, ROTC cadets should too. Enacting SB1021 could also help Arizona’s ROTC programs improve retention rates among cadets.

As Arizona honors its legacy of military heroes, lawmakers have the opportunity to support the financial interests of future military leaders. Providing in-state status to ROTC cadets could be a significant step in this direction.

Mark Habelt is a recent graduate of ASU’s Army ROTC program and a second lieutenant in the Arizona Army National Guard.