Scholarships

From acronyms to college tips, scholarships to parent concerns, commissioning and more, the answers to your Air Force ROTC questions are right here. And if they are not, we can tell you where to find them.

If I apply for the scholarship, am I obligated to the Air Force in any way? »
Can I withdraw my application? »
Can I apply for other officer training programs and military scholarships? »
If I choose to leave one of the other officer training programs, can I still apply for an in-college Air Force ROTC scholarship? »
How do I check on the status of my scholarship application? »
When and how will I be notified if I have been offered a scholarship? »
If I am offered a scholarship, how will it be presented? »
What kind of scholarships does Air Force ROTC offer? »
What majors are eligible for this program? »
How do we award scholarships based on majors? »
Am I eligible? »
What were the average scores for all AFROTC scholarship recipients for 2012? »
What are the weight and fitness standards? »
What are the vision standards? »
Will I need to take a medical exam? »
Does an Air Force ROTC scholarship pay for room and board? »
Is it possible for me to change my academic major if on scholarship? »
What are the requirements if I were to receive a scholarship in one of the foreign languages listed? »

1. If I apply for the scholarship, am I obligated to the Air Force in any way?

No. Applying for an Air Force ROTC scholarship does not obligate you in any way. Four-year scholarship recipients do not incur any obligation until the start of their sophomore year in college.

2. Can I withdraw my application?

Yes. You may withdraw your application at any time by emailing csp@maxwell.af.mil.

3. Can I apply for other officer training programs and military scholarships?

Yes. You may apply for any other officer training program (see list below) and even receive scholarship offers from more than one service. However, once you enroll in another program, you will be removed from further Air Force ROTC scholarship competition. Notify the College Scholarships Selections Section immediately if you accept and enroll in another program.

Other officer training programs include:

4. If I choose to leave one of the other officer training programs, can I still apply for an in-college Air Force ROTC scholarship?

Yes. You may apply for one of the Air Force ROTC scholarships of less than four years if a waiver is granted.

5. How do I check on the status of my scholarship application?

Go online » to check the status of your application.
Call 866-423-7682 and speak with a scholarship technician.
Contact your Regional Director of Admissions ».

Immediately notify the High School Scholarship ProgramHigh School Scholarship ProgramProvides 3- and 4-year scholarships in three different types to high school seniors. in writing or email if your name, current mailing address, social security number, telephone number or email address changes during the application process.

6. When and how will I be notified if I have been offered a scholarship?

If offered an Air Force ROTC scholarship, you will be notified via email and a status update on your online application after the scholarship selection boards meet. The dates of the boards are subject to change. Historically, the boards meet in December, January, February, and March. Results are released within about 14 days following each board.

7. If I am offered a scholarship, how will it be presented?

Normally, an Air Force officer will come to your school and present the scholarship during your school's annual awards day at the end of the year. Even if you choose not to accept the scholarship offer, you can still have it presented at your school. Although you can choose not to have the scholarship presented, you deserve to be recognized for your accomplishments.

8. What kind of scholarships does Air Force ROTC offer?

We offer three types and two lengths in our High School Scholarship Program. Our scholarships are offered in either four-year or three-year lengths. Our four-year scholarships are activated in the fall of the freshman year while our three-year scholarships are activated in the fall of the sophomore year.

Our three types of scholarships are:

type 1 - Pays full college tuition, most lab fees and $900/year for books. Approximately 5% of our four-year scholarship winners will be offered a Type-1 scholarship (mostly in designated technical majors).
type 2 - Pays college tuition and most lab fees up to $18,000 and pays $900/year for books. Approximately 10% of our four-year scholarship winners will be offered a Type-2 scholarship (mostly in technical fieldstechnical fieldsFields mostly related to careers in the Air Force that have a scientific basis such as engineering, chemistry and meteorology, and that the Air Force considers a need for its officers. ). If a student attends an institution where the tuition exceeds $18,000, then he/she pays the difference. All three-year scholarships are Type 2.
type 7 - Pays college tuition up to the equivalent of the in-state rate at a public school and $900 per year for books.

Air Force ROTC scholarships are not activated until the student enlists in the Obligated Reserve Section of the Air Force Reserve, signs a contract and passes the medical, moral, fitness and physical qualifications for enlistment and contracting. Scholarship benefits are not payable until 45 days after the start of the fall term.

Upon activation, all scholarship cadets receive a nontaxable monthly allowance (stipend) during the academic year. Currently, the monthly stipend is $250 for freshmen, $300 for sophomores, $350 for juniors and $400 for seniors.

Air Force ROTC scholarships cannot pay for room and board.

9. What majors are eligible for this program?

Air Force ROTC offers scholarships in academic majors needed to meet the needs of the Air Force. This includes both technical majors and nontechnical majors. We strongly urge you to carefully consider the choices you list for an academic major on this application. You may list up to three majors, but you should only list those you will be willing to pursue. You should also ensure the major you want to pursue is offered by the school you want to attend.

Special considerations for prospective engineering or science/technical majors:
For prospective engineering or science/technical majors, you must determine if your major is approved for an Air Force ROTC scholarship at the school you want to attend. You can look this up using the online Schools and Majors » feature.

Special consideration for prospective foreign language majors: For prospective foreign language majors, you should list a major in one of the foreign language scholarships. You can look this up using the online Schools and Majors » feature.

10. How do we award scholarships based on majors?

We plan to award the majority of scholarships to students pursuing targeted High School Scholarship Program technical majors and foreign languages. For a complete list please click here

Please note: Only a small number of scholarships will be awarded for students pursuing nontechnical majors.

11. Am I eligible?

To be eligible for a scholarship interview for an Air Force ROTC Scholarship, you must:

Become a United States citizen prior to the date you activate the scholarship. (NOTE: If you receive a scholarship and possess dual citizenship, you cannot activate a scholarship or be contracted until you renounce your non-U.S. citizenship)
Graduate from a high school or hold an equivalent certificate by Spring of 2014.
Be at least 17 years old on the date you activate the scholarship.
Be less than 31 years old as of December 31 of the year you will commissioncommissionBestowed upon an AFROTC graduate by the President of the United States recognizing them as an officer in the U.S. Air Force. .
Be less than 27 years old as of June 30, 2014 (i.e., have a birth date of July 1, 1987, or later). If you have prior active-duty military service, write or call the High School Scholarship Program about extending the age limit.
Not have enrolled fulltime in a college or university (also to include any Prep schools or service academies) prior to the Fall 2014 academic term (except for joint high school/college programs).
You must submit/upload your completed, counselor certification/signed copy of transcript, extracurricular activities sheet, PFAPFAPhysical Fitness Assessment , resume and SAT and/or ACT scores and GPA no later than January 10, 2014.
If you are a single parent, contact the nearest Air Force ROTC admissions representative to obtain a single parent care plan package.
You must have an ACT Composite of 26 (Writing Portion not included) or an 1180 SAT Score (We do not mix and match scores and Writing Portion is not included).

Scores must be submitted/uploaded by under the following -
- Electronically through the ACT or SAT Agency by using AFROTCAFROTCAir Force Reserve Officer Training Corps Test Code 0548. (See note below)
- You may print them off the agency websites (www.collegeboard.com or www.act.org) and submit/upload them, even though it may say unofficial.
- You must also enter your SAT and/or ACT scores and GPA electronically in the fields provided.

12. What were the average scores for all AFROTC scholarship recipients for 2012?

	Scholarship Types
Data	Type 1Type 1Pays full college tuition, most fees and $900 per year for books.	Type 2Type 2Pays college tuition and most fees up to $18,000, and pays $900 per year for books.	Type 7Type 7Pays college tuition up to the equivalent of the in-state rate and $900 per year for books.
SAT	1435	1324	1278
ACT	32.7	30.1	28.6
GPA	3.91	3.79	3.77

13. What are the weight and fitness standards?

To apply for the scholarship, you must complete the Physical Fitness AssessmentPhysical Fitness AssessmentPFA - an exam consisting of three events—crunches, push-ups, and a 1.5-mile run-- used to determine physical fitness level as part of the application process for the college scholarship program. (PFA). For instructions, refer to the website where you apply online.

If you are offered a scholarship, you must meet the Air Force Weight Standards » prior to activating the scholarship.

If you are offered a scholarship, you must also meet the Air Force Physical Fitness Test (PFT) Standards » prior to activating the scholarship. You must perform this test within a few days of starting college your freshman year.

14. What are the vision standards?

The refractive error in each eye cannot exceed +/- 8.00 diopters. Also, both eyes must be free of any disfiguring or incapacitating abnormality and acute or chronic disease. A history of corneal surgical procedures such as radial keratotomy (RK), even if refractive error improves, disqualifies you for Air Force ROTC. EXCEPTION: A history of photo refractive keratectomy (PRK) does not automatically disqualify you from entry; however, certain criteria must be met before being medically certified. Adequate color vision is a prerequisite to entry into many Air Force specialties.

15. Will I need to take a medical exam?

If you are selected to receive a scholarship, you will be scheduled to complete a medical examination. Scholarship winners and their parents are advised that NO SCHOLARSHIP WILL BE ACTIVATED UNTIL THE INDIVIDUAL IS MEDICALLY QUALIFIED FOR A COMMISSION. The process is lengthy and may involve several months of processing and correspondence.

The Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board (DODMERBDODMERBDepartment of Defense Medical Examination Records Board ) is the medical certification agency for Air Force ROTC scholarships. Scholarship winners will be scheduled for an examination by DODMERB and DODMERB will determine whether or not the individual is medically qualified for a commission. If you are found to be medically disqualified, but believe there are extenuating circumstances that justify consideration of a waiver of our medical standards, you should follow the DODMERB instructions (with the notification letter) regarding rebuttals and waiver processing. In such cases, DODMERB will discuss your case with AETC/SGPS, the medical waiver authority, to determine if a waiver to the standards is feasible. The final decision is based on the nature of your condition or defect and specific medical parameters and protocols that have been established.

For those selected to receive a scholarship, DODMERB will send you complete instructions. If you cannot meet the scheduled date, request another date. As a candidate, you are responsible for all costs of travel, food and lodging related to the medical examination and personal interview. If you wear hard contact lenses, remove them a minimum of 21 days before the examination; remove soft lenses 72 hours before the examination.

Once you have been scheduled for an examination, if you have a medical question, DODMERB is your only official source of information.

16. Does an Air Force ROTC scholarship pay for room and board?

No. Air Force ROTC scholarships do not pay for room and board. However, many colleges and universities offer subsidies to Air Force ROTC students on scholarship that can cover room and board.

17. Is it possible for me to change my academic major if on scholarship?

Yes, but this is a complex process and should be attempted only after you have given it much thought. Depending on your current major and your proposed major, you may lose your scholarship benefits. Call the detachmentdetachmentThe Air Force ROTC unit at a host university. you will be attending for details and procedures.

18. What are the requirements if I were to receive a scholarship in one of the foreign languages listed?

You must obtain a BA or BS in the specific foreign language major listed on the website.