There are three different types of scholarships, and the application process is the same for all of them.
Type 1--Pays full college tuition, most fees and a book allowance. Approximately five percent of our four-year scholarships are Type 1—mostly in technical fields as deemed needed by the Air Force (careers with a scientific basis such as engineering, chemistry and meteorology).
Type 2--Pays college tuition and most fees up to $18,000 and a book allowance. Approximately 15 percent of our four-year scholarship winners will be offered a Type 2 scholarship (again, mostly in technical fields). If a student attends an institution where the tuition exceeds $18,000 per year, then he/she pays the difference.
Type 7--Pays college tuition up to the equivalent of a public school’s in-state rate and a book allowance. If a student receives a Type 7 offer but wishes to attend a college/university where they do not qualify under the guidelines, the student can convert the four-year Type 7 scholarship to a three-year Type 2 scholarship. You cannot activate a Type 7 scholarship at a nonqualifying school and pay the difference.
SCHOLARSHIP LENGTH
Three- and four-year scholarships are available. All four-year scholarships activate in the fall of your freshman year.
All three-year scholarships activate in the fall of your sophomore year. The only three-year type of scholarship offered is Type 2. All three-year scholarship designees must complete AFROTC training during their freshman year in order to retain eligibility to activate their scholarships at the start of their sophomore year.
ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS
To be eligible for scholarship consideration, you must achieve an SAT composite of 1180 (math and critical reading portions only) or ACT composite of 26 and attain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. There are no waivers or exceptions to this.
The following table provides some information to indicate whether or not you think you will be academically competitive for an AFROTC scholarship. This is last year’s average select rate winners:
Type 1--Pays full college tuition, most fees and a book allowance. Approximately five percent of our four-year scholarships are Type 1—mostly in technical fields as deemed needed by the Air Force (careers with a scientific basis such as engineering, chemistry and meteorology).
Type 2--Pays college tuition and most fees up to $18,000 and a book allowance. Approximately 15 percent of our four-year scholarship winners will be offered a Type 2 scholarship (again, mostly in technical fields). If a student attends an institution where the tuition exceeds $18,000 per year, then he/she pays the difference.
Type 7--Pays college tuition up to the equivalent of a public school’s in-state rate and a book allowance. If a student receives a Type 7 offer but wishes to attend a college/university where they do not qualify under the guidelines, the student can convert the four-year Type 7 scholarship to a three-year Type 2 scholarship. You cannot activate a Type 7 scholarship at a nonqualifying school and pay the difference.
SCHOLARSHIP LENGTH
Three- and four-year scholarships are available. All four-year scholarships activate in the fall of your freshman year.
All three-year scholarships activate in the fall of your sophomore year. The only three-year type of scholarship offered is Type 2. All three-year scholarship designees must complete AFROTC training during their freshman year in order to retain eligibility to activate their scholarships at the start of their sophomore year.
ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS
To be eligible for scholarship consideration, you must achieve an SAT composite of 1180 (math and critical reading portions only) or ACT composite of 26 and attain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. There are no waivers or exceptions to this.
The following table provides some information to indicate whether or not you think you will be academically competitive for an AFROTC scholarship. This is last year’s average select rate winners:
CIVIL INVOLVEMENTS AND DRUG USE DISCLOSURE
AFROTC policy is to withdraw the scholarship offer to High School Scholarship Program (HSSP) winners who failed to disclose all civil involvements and drug or alcohol abuse that occurred prior to the HSSP interview.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Before you are eligible for the scholarship interview, you must complete the Physical Fitness Assessment (which consists of three events: crunches, push-ups and a 1.5-mile run) and submit the Letter of Certification. If you are offered an Air Force ROTC scholarship, you must pass the Physical Fitness Test before the end of your first semester of college.
SCHOLARSHIP INTERVIEW
Once you meet the academic and general requirements, you are considered an eligible applicant. You will be contacted by the nearest Air Force unit to set up a personal interview.
To be eligible for the scholarship interview, you must meet the following requirements:
FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
When selecting a college or university, applicants and families are encouraged to consider their own ability to pay tuition. Although the applicant may have received a scholarship offer, there may be a delay in activation due to various reasons—for example, a delay in medical qualification by the Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board (DODMERB).
If there is a delay in activation that extends beyond the start date of the first term of a scholarship offer, the designee is normally responsible for that term’s tuition. Depending on the reason for the delay, the offer may be withdrawn.
Once a scholarship has been activated, if the student fails to maintain academic or military retention standards, his/her scholarship benefits may be suspended or terminated. As a result, the student will be responsible for a term or more of tuition and fees.
The high school scholarship application process consists of several steps:
SCHOLARSHIP STATUS
Air Force ROTC will contact you periodically about your status, and you can track your application status online. After you submit your application, you will be notified via email of your eligibility status. If you have not heard anything within six weeks, it is your responsibility to contact Air Force ROTC.
It is critical that your current mailing address, email address and telephone number are accurate. For changes to your name, social security number, address or telephone number, call Air Force ROTC program at 866-423-7682.
STAYING ELIGIBLE
After you’re selected, you must maintain a Term GPA and CGPA of 2.5 or higher to activate it. Four-year HSSP selectees activating in the fall term of the freshman year are exempt from this requirement. Keep in mind that summer terms, while not funded, will be used in calculating Term GPA and CGPA for scholarship eligibility.
Keep in mind that you’ll need to be medically certified before your scholarship benefits can begin. The Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board (DODMERB) will send you complete instructions. If you have a medical question, DODMERB is your only official source. Contact them at 719-333-3562.
AFROTC policy is to withdraw the scholarship offer to High School Scholarship Program (HSSP) winners who failed to disclose all civil involvements and drug or alcohol abuse that occurred prior to the HSSP interview.
- These scholarships are considered to be obtained under fraudulent circumstances since the student failed to obtain the required waiver.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Before you are eligible for the scholarship interview, you must complete the Physical Fitness Assessment (which consists of three events: crunches, push-ups and a 1.5-mile run) and submit the Letter of Certification. If you are offered an Air Force ROTC scholarship, you must pass the Physical Fitness Test before the end of your first semester of college.
SCHOLARSHIP INTERVIEW
Once you meet the academic and general requirements, you are considered an eligible applicant. You will be contacted by the nearest Air Force unit to set up a personal interview.
To be eligible for the scholarship interview, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be a United States citizen or be able to obtain citizenship by the last day of the first term of your freshman year (for four-year offers) or the first term of your sophomore year (for three-year offers). Activation cannot occur prior to obtaining citizenship. Also, 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 have an equivalent certificate.
- Be 17 years old prior to scholarship activation.
- Be under 31 years old as of December 31 of the year you will be commissioned.
- You cannot be enrolled full time at a college or university (except for joint high school/college programs).
- If you are the sole provider for another person (e.g., single parent, guardian for younger sibling, etc.), please contact the nearest Air Force ROTC detachment admissions representative for dependent care plan information.
FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
When selecting a college or university, applicants and families are encouraged to consider their own ability to pay tuition. Although the applicant may have received a scholarship offer, there may be a delay in activation due to various reasons—for example, a delay in medical qualification by the Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board (DODMERB).
If there is a delay in activation that extends beyond the start date of the first term of a scholarship offer, the designee is normally responsible for that term’s tuition. Depending on the reason for the delay, the offer may be withdrawn.
Once a scholarship has been activated, if the student fails to maintain academic or military retention standards, his/her scholarship benefits may be suspended or terminated. As a result, the student will be responsible for a term or more of tuition and fees.
The high school scholarship application process consists of several steps:
- Submit your online application between June 1, 2015 and December 1, 2015.
- After you complete the online application, you will receive a confirmation email with information on how to download, electronically complete and submit/upload the following forms, which must be uploaded by January 12, 2016, at midnight CST:
- Counselor Certification/Copy of Transcript (unofficial or official copy with ninth–11th grades only)
- Download, print and submit the form to your counselor for review/approval and request a copy of your transcript (may be unofficial or official copy with ninth–11th grades only. DO NOT wait for your 12th-grade grades as they are not considered.). Scan and upload signed counselor certification form and signed transcript. These forms are required in order to maintain your eligibility. Faxed copies WILL NOT be accepted.
- Extracurricular Activity Sheet
- Please complete and submit the form online after completing your scholarship application. Faxed copies WILL NOT be accepted.
- Physical Fitness Test
- Print a copy of the Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA) work sheet. Take the work sheet with you when you complete your fitness assessment. Have the examiner fill in all of the information on the form and make sure he/she signs and dates the form.
- After you have completed the PFA, use the work sheet (filled out by your examiner) to enter your results electronically in the fields provided. You will also need to scan/upload the completed and signed PFA form. Faxed copies WILL NOT be accepted.
- NOTE: We will not accept any PFA scores/test from any other branch of service to include the United States Air Force Academy. Also, if you live in an area where the weather is bad in the winter, please do not wait until the deadline is approaching to take the test. There will be no exceptions made for extending the deadline due to inclement weather.
- SAT and/or ACT scores and GPA must be submitted by January 12, 2016. Below are some helpful guidelines:
- Minimum requirements: 1180 SAT score or ACT composite of 26—writing test not included. There are no waivers or exceptions to this.
- Electronically through the ACT or SAT agency using AFROTC Test Code 0548
- You may print them from the agency websites (collegeboard.com or act.org) and submit/upload them, even though it may say “unofficial.”
- You must also enter your ACT/SAT scores and GPA electronically in the fields provided.
- Counselor Certification/Copy of Transcript (unofficial or official copy with ninth–11th grades only)
- Leadership and work experience
- Extracurricular activities
- Results from your personal interview
- Questionnaire results
- Academic scores
SCHOLARSHIP STATUS
Air Force ROTC will contact you periodically about your status, and you can track your application status online. After you submit your application, you will be notified via email of your eligibility status. If you have not heard anything within six weeks, it is your responsibility to contact Air Force ROTC.
It is critical that your current mailing address, email address and telephone number are accurate. For changes to your name, social security number, address or telephone number, call Air Force ROTC program at 866-423-7682.
STAYING ELIGIBLE
After you’re selected, you must maintain a Term GPA and CGPA of 2.5 or higher to activate it. Four-year HSSP selectees activating in the fall term of the freshman year are exempt from this requirement. Keep in mind that summer terms, while not funded, will be used in calculating Term GPA and CGPA for scholarship eligibility.
Keep in mind that you’ll need to be medically certified before your scholarship benefits can begin. The Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board (DODMERB) will send you complete instructions. If you have a medical question, DODMERB is your only official source. Contact them at 719-333-3562.