What is AFROTC?
Air Force ROTC (AFROTC) is one of three primary methods, alongside Officer Training School (OTS) and the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA), that aspiring airmen utilize to become officers in the United States Air Force and Space Force. Similar to USAFA, Air Force ROTC creates a structure in which cadets work towards a college degree while simultaneously receiving military training in preparation to become an officer. AFROTC aims to have cadets enter active duty as Second Lieutenants once they graduate, usually with a few months to a year of downtime between graduation and their arrival at their unit.
However, unlike at the Air Force Academy, AFROTC cadets are able to benefit from a more traditional college experience by being able to have free time for non-Air Force affiliated extracurriculars. Additionally, there are numerous college scholarship opportunities available to cadets under the program. For those interested in both earning a college degree and becoming an officer in the United States Air Force or Space Force, AFROTC offers an experience with more options, as there are no service commitments for cadets during their first 2 years of the program unless they are under contract/scholarship.
Minimum Eligibility Requirements
To join AFROTC and become an active cadet, you must:
- Be a U.S. Citizen (or obtain citizenship before Field Training)
- Be able to pass the Air Force Fitness Test (Prior to the selection board for Field Training)
- Complete a Medical Evaluation for service (DoDMERB)
- Meet age requirements:
- Minimum: 14 years old
- Maximum: 39 by graduation (with waivers possible up to 42)
- For scholarships: must commission before age 31
- For rated fields (Pilot, RPA, etc.): must commission before age 29 (waiverable for RPA)
You must also maintain full-time student status and a minimum 2.0 GPA (2.5 if on scholarship).
AFROTC Timeline
On a typical 4-year plan, students take 3 credits per semester of AFROTC Courses during their Freshman/Sophomore years, then 5 credits per semester their Junior/Senior years.
Scholarships
For specific information on scholarships, visit the official scholarships page on the Air Force ROTC website at https://www.afrotc.com/scholarships
View AFROTC Scholarship video link: Air Force ROTC: Scholarships
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High School Scholarship Program (HSSP)
Type 1: Full Ride
Pays 100% of Tuition and Fees for four years.*Type 2: Pays up to $18,000/year for four years.*
Scholarship Requirements: Scholarship Requirements
How to apply: Application Process | High School Students
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In College Scholarship Program (ICSP)
Deadline for HSSP
Type 1 (Uncapped): Full Ride
Pays 100% of Tuition and Fees for three years.Type 2 (Capped): Pays up to $18,000/year for four years.
College Student Scholarship Types | Scholarships | U.S. Air Force ROTC
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Charles McGee Leadership Award (CMLA)
Up to $18,000/year for Junior/Senior years.
This in-college scholarship is awarded to certain eligible individuals not already on scholarship who receive an enrollment allocation and thus are selected to commission into the Air or Space Force.
* HSSP and ICSP recipients may be eligible to have a 5th year funded for Secretary of the Air Force (SAF) Approved 5-year Majors.
* All scholarships may be converted to a $10,000/year “housing allowance” for University billed housing.