Arizona's Ethical Cadet Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Better Business Bureau Foundation

The BBB Ethical Cadet Scholarship, sponsored by Salt River Project (SRP) awards scholarships to Arizona JROTC cadets who demonstrate exceptional character and commitment to service.

Thank you for your interest in BBB's Ethical Cadet Scholarship. Please scroll down to learn more about this exciting competition.

An ethical cadet not only follows a strict code of conduct, but also embodies a strong moral compass. To honor Arizona Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) cadets for their leadership, character, and commitment to service, Better Business Bureau (BBB) joins forces with Salt River Project (SRP) to offer the BBB Ethical Cadet Scholarship to those who have gone beyond the call of duty.

This scholarship honors high school cadets who serve as role models by leading in times of need, doing the right thing even in the most difficult situations, and empowering others through community service. The BBB Ethical Cadet Scholarship provides JROTC cadets financial aid with funds to be used for JROTC activities, including equipment, uniforms, and travel expenses.

About the Scholarship

A total of ten cadets and their JROTC programs will each receive a $1,000 BBB Ethical Cadet Scholarship, recognizing cadets and programs for embodying ethics through service with $20,000 in total scholarships to be awarded.

Essay questions & requirements

Cadets must provide the following information as part of the scholarship application:

• One (1) letter of recommendation from a JROTC staff member or school representative;
• Copy of current high school transcripts (minimum 2.75 GPA);
• Essay response to one of the essay prompts below (include the prompt you select at the top of your essay submission):

Essay option #1: What does leadership, character, and service mean to you?  Share examples of how you embody these characteristics through your involvement with JROTC and why it is important. (500 - 1,000 words)

Essay option #2: How has being a JROTC cadet shaped what community means to you, and how have cadet principles been applied & expressed in your daily life? (500 - 1,000 words)

Essay option #3: What are 3 specific skills, values, or lessons the JROTC program has taught you and how are you actively using them to help, lead, or serve others? Share examples. (500-1,000 words)

*Current freshman may submit a progress report in lieu of transcripts due to GPA unavailability. Transcripts and letters of recommendation may be emailed to Faustine Chan at [email protected].

Eligibility

Arizona high school freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors currently enrolled in a JROTC program within SRP’s service area who also maintain a GPA of at least 2.75 are eligible. Ten cadets and their JROTC programs will receive $1,000, totaling $20,000 in scholarships for the 2026-2027 school year. Eligible cadets must be actively involved in one of the following high school JROTC programs located within SRP's service area:

• Alhambra High School
• Apache Junction High School
• Apollo High School
• AZ Compass Prep School
• Basha High School
• Betty H. Fairfax High School
• Browne High School
• Camelback High School
• Casa Grande Union High School
• Cesar Chavez High School
• Cortez High School
• Dobson High School
• Gilbert High School
• Hamilton High School
• Higley High School
• Independence High School
• Marcos de Niza High School
• Maricopa High School
• Maryvale High School
• Mesa High School
• Queen Creek High School
• Red Mountain High School
• Skyline High School
• South Mountain High School
• South Pointe High School
• Tolleson Union High School
• Westview High School
• Westwood High School

Selection process

All applications will be reviewed by a judging committee comprised of BBB staff, SRPVETS* and community leaders. Essays will be evaluated using a judging rubric noting the maximum point value per section. After the committee ranks all applications, ten cadets with the highest scores will be selected as winners.

Completed applications will be evaluated using the following criteria:

• Inclusion of personal viewpoints (15 points);
• Relevance to the theme (15 points);
• Clarity of thought (10 points);
• Spelling and grammar (10 points)

Essays should be written by students without the use of AI. Essays written with the assistance of AI will be disqualified from the contest.

*SRPVets is an employee resource group whose vision is to  foster and enhance the leadership culture at SRP by actively promoting the understanding of military/service culture as well as to develop and support the professional growth of its members. SRPVets membership includes many veterans that have previously served in our United States Military, Military Reservists, military & veteran supporters that may have family members in the military and members  from non-military backgrounds who also look to honor our serve men and women. SRPVets is committed to supporting the community we serve and what better way than by helping youth who are training to potentially serve our country.