By Brystol Beatley, Staff Writer
In January 2025, the Wheaton College ROTC department was notified by the U.S. Army Cadet Command that scholarship funds for cadets in the class of 2028 would be reduced. Eligible cadets can receive three- or four-year ROTC scholarships, which cover tuition and provide a stipend in exchange for an eight-year commitment to serve as an officer in the U.S. military after graduation.
Lt. Col. Alexander Moen, professor of military science, explained that for each class, an anticipated number of contracted officers for the military is set by the Army Cadet Command, called a mission set. This does not affect the number of students who can be accepted into the program, but rather how many cadets are provided a scholarship. Based on the mission set, a budget, including scholarship funds, is allotted to the ROTC department.
Typically, the mission set of the ROTC program is to commission between 15 and 19 officers, which includes the 2028 class. The ROTC department has met this requirement, but the mission set of the U.S. Army Cadet Command has changed. As a result, no additional scholarship funds have been allocated for eligible cadets.
Of the 52 sophomores in the department, 18 are on scholarship. However, five sophomores who anticipated receiving scholarship contracts are still waiting for those funds due to the reduction in the scholarship funding.
“Of the affected students, we felt very optimistic coming into the fall semester of their freshman year — based on what we were seeing budget-wise — that we were going to be able to secure three-year scholarships for them so long as they became qualified,” said Moen.
Wheaton College has extended its Brigade Gap Scholarship, which is dedicated to covering a cadet’s first year of costs. Sophomores affected by scholarship reductions will continue receiving funding through Brigade Gap to cover 75% of tuition, room and board this semester. Whether this aid extends to next semester for the students is contingent upon funding updates from the Army Cadet Command.
According to student sources, three students have left the ROTC program because of the budget reductions, one of whom has also left Wheaton College.
According to student sources, affected cadets were notified about the budget reductions via email in July 2025. Moen said outreach to impacted cadets began between January and February of this year.
Sydney Meinholz, a sophomore biochemistry and molecular biology major, said she was unaware until she received the email that the expected scholarship was contingent on government funding, which can fluctuate.
“It felt very clear when we had one-on-one meetings with ROTC as well as admissions people and financial aid that this was a promised thing,” Meinholz said. “People are trying to find solutions, but it’s just playing a waiting game as of right now.”
One possible additional source of funding that Moen described was the Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP) that allows ROTC students to train with the Army Reserve or National Guard while in college and provides opportunities to compete for future scholarships or contracts.
Holton Foster-Whiddon, a sophomore international relations major and ROTC cadet, described the stress caused by funding uncertainty, particularly for students who may not be able to afford to continue their education without scholarships.
“You can tell how stressful it gets around the idea of a scholarship and contract because it just turns the whole mood upside down when you mention a contract,” Foster-Whiddon said.
Kim Allen, a junior Christian formation and ministry major, said the budget reductions have negatively impacted the morale of cadets, with many worrying about how it will affect their ability to stay in the program.
“It’s changed the culture. And we’re sad because the class under us is pretty high-speed, athletic and smart. It’s hard seeing them let go,” Kim said.
