Air Force ROTC offers scholarships to eligible students who intend to or are currently enrolled in the Air Force ROTC program while a full-time student pursuing a bachelor's degree. While there are no specific academic major requirements, scholarships are merit-based, therefore students pursuing a technical major may receive priority in the selection process. A list of highly desired majors can be found HERE. This list is subject to change as needs of the DAF.
AFROTC offers various capped (up to a specific maximum amount of tuition benefits each year) and uncapped (no fixed limit on the amount of awarded tuition benefits) scholarship types. Scholarship types and amounts will be determined at the time of award for those who receive a scholarship offer.
Applicants who receive a scholarship will have the option to convert their scholarship benefits (capped or uncapped) to a room scholarship where on-campus housing or housing billed through the university will be paid up to $10,000 per academic year.
Stipend Entitlements
The annual book stipend is $900 per academic year, and the monthly stipend increases based on an individual's student status.
Wright State University (WSU), through the AFROTC program, provides funding to support WSU students enrolled in AFROTC. These funds are awarded by the cadre as merit-based scholarships and are contingent upon the availability of university funding.
WSU Scholarship (SCH) Need to Knows:
1. Housing:
- WSU SCH funds may only be applied to housing if you reside in Hamilton Hall or Forest Lane.
2. Meal Plans:
- Funds may be applied to a meal plan, as needed, in $500 increments, not to exceed $1,500 per academic year (not per semester).
3. Eligible Expenses:
- WSU SCH funds may be used for tuition, lab fees, class fees, counseling services, legal fees, and certain communication fees.
- Health fees must be requested and approved prior to applying WSU SCH funds.
4. Billing & Reimbursement:
- Late fees are not covered by the WSU SCH
- If an eligible expense is covered by a cadet to ensure they do not receive a late fee, those funds will be reimbursable through the WSU SCH
- Failure to pay your bill or establish a payment plan may result in a late fee
Awards and External Funding Opportunities
AFROTC cadets have access to a variety of financial support opportunities beyond standard scholarships. Throughout the year, cadets may be nominated for merit-based awards that recognize academic performance, leadership, and involvement within the detachment. Additionally, there are external funding opportunities offered through military-affiliated organizations, private foundations, and national scholarship programs. Cadets are encouraged to actively seek out and apply for these opportunities, as they can help offset educational expenses and enhance their overall AFROTC experience. Availability, eligibility, and award amounts will vary, so staying informed and engaged with cadre is essential.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I apply for the scholarship, am I obligated to the Air Force or Space 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.
Can I withdraw my application?
Yes. You may withdraw your application at any time by emailing csp@maxwell.af.mil, sending a fax to 334-953-4384 or writing to the High School Scholarship Program at HQ AFROTC/RRUC, 551 E. Maxwell Blvd., Maxwell AFB AL 36112-5917.
Can I apply for other officer training programs and military scholarships?
Yes. You may apply for any other officer training program 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.
How do I check on the status of my High School Scholarship Program (HSSP) application?
Go Online to check the status of your application.
Call 866-423-7682 and speak with a scholarship technician.
Immediately notify the High School Scholarship Program in writing or csp@maxwell.af.mil email if your name, current mailing address, social security number, telephone number or email address changes during the application process.
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 in writing (either through email or written communication) after the scholarship selection boards meet.
If I am offered a high school scholarship for AFROTC, how will it be presented?
Normally, an Air Force or Space 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.
What kind of scholarships does Air Force ROTC offer?
We offer four 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 four types of scholarships are:
TYPE 1 - Pays full college tuition and most lab fees for the academic year, along with $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 for the academic year, and pays $900/year for books. Approximately 10% of our four-year scholarship winners will be offered a Type-2 scholarship (mostly in technical fields). If a student attends an institution where the tuition exceeds $18,000, then he/she pays the difference.
TYPE 4 - Pays college tuition and most lab fees up to $36,000 for the academic year, and pays $900/year for books.
TYPE 7 - Pays college tuition up to the equivalent of the in-state rate 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. He or she will sign a contract only if they pass all medical 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 $300 for freshmen, $350 for sophomores, $450 for juniors, and $500 for seniors.
Air Force ROTC scholarships can be transitioned into a room and board scholarship payable up to $10,000 per academic year.
What majors are eligible for this program?
Air Force ROTC offers scholarships in academic majors needed to meet the needs of the Air Force and Space 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.
Special consideration for prospective foreign language majors: For prospective foreign language majors, you should list a major in one of the foreign language scholarships.
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: http://afrotc.com/scholarships/high-school/schools-and-majors/.
Please note: Only a small number of scholarships will be awarded for students pursuing nontechnical majors.
What are the weight and fitness standards?
To apply for the scholarship, you must complete the Physical Fitness Assessment (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.
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.
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 (DODMERB) 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.
Does an Air Force ROTC scholarship pay for room and board?
Yes, it can. The value of the housing scholarship is capped at $10,000 per year, and bills must be submitted through the university bursar's office. Housing scholarship may be used for only on campus housing or university contracted off-campus housing. Requests to change your tuition based scholarship to a room and board scholarship must be coordinated through your Detachments Cadre.
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 detachment you will be attending for details and procedures.
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.
