The following is an overview of AFROTC scholarship programs. For full details and requirements please visit the Air Force ROTC scholarship webpage.
Do I need a scholarship to join Air Force ROTC?
No, a scholarship is not required to join Air Force ROTC, you only need to meet the general entry requirements. However, students have three opportunities to earn an Air Force ROTC scholarship. The first way is during senior year of high school through the High School Scholarship Program. The other ways are through our In-College Scholarships or DoD Flagship Scholarship Program.
Scholarship Types
- High School Scholarship
- In College Scholarship
- Department of Defense (DoD) Flagship Language Scholarships
The High School Scholarship Program (HSSP) is available for high school seniors. The application window is open from 15 July - 31 December. That means you can apply for this scholarship starting the summer before and into your senior year.
- There is no cost or obligation for applying
- Minimum academic requirements:
- Cumulative GPA: 3.3
- ACT / SAT: 28 / 1310
- Obligation
- You can leave Air Force ROTC anytime during your freshman year with no commitment to serve or pay back the Air Force.
- Starting sophomore year you are committed to finishing the program and serve at least four years on active duty.
Students have two opportunities to compete for a scholarship once in college. In-college scholarships are typically offered during the spring semester freshman year and fall semester sophomore year.
Recently the Air Force ROTC introduced the Charles McGee Leadership Award (CMLA), awarded to individuals no already on scholarship who receive an enrollment allocation and thus are selected to commission into the Air or Space Force.
To compete for an in-college scholarship you must be an active cadet in our program and meet the eligibility requirements. The minimum GPA eligibility is 2.5 (college GPA).
Flagship Scholarships are automatic to cadets who gain entry to the University of Minnesota’s Chinese Flagship Program (as GMCs), have that language as their primary major for AFROTC, and meet the qualifications for a scholarship: GPA, PFA, DODMERB qualified, have a passing AFOQT (if taken). Cadets admitted into a Flagship program will be awarded a Type 2 scholarship starting the semester admitted and is good for 2.5-4 years or through the cadet’s senior year. The 5th year of the program is covered by the DoD’s Language and National Security Education Office.
More information about UMN’s Flagship Program can be found at the following link: https://cla.umn.edu/chinese-flagship