Air Force ROTC High School Scholarship Program
Offered by U.S. Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps
About this scholarship
The Air Force ROTC High School Scholarship Program is a national merit competition for students entering college and AFROTC in 2027–28. Four-year offers are assigned by the Department of the Air Force: Type 1 has no tuition cap, Type 2 pays up to $18,000 per year, and Type 4 pays up to $36,000 per year. Every activated award also includes a $900 annual textbook allowance and a monthly stipend whose current amount must be confirmed with AFROTC. A recipient may instead request up to $10,000 per year for university-billed housing, but board is excluded. Because the award does not cover all living costs and the uncapped award has no single dollar value, no invented amount is used. The program is extremely competitive and prioritizes individual merit and Air and Space Force commissioning needs. Applicants need a 3.3 unweighted GPA and one qualifying single-sitting score: SAT 1310, ACT 28 including science, or CLT 93. They must complete the required fitness assessment, submit school and activity records, and pass an officer-potential interview. Accepting and activating the scholarship carries AFROTC participation and potential military-service obligations. The initial application closes December 11, 2026, with final eligibility materials due December 22.
Eligibility
- Plan to begin an undergraduate program at an AFROTC-affiliated institution and enter AFROTC in 2027–28
- Be at least 17 when the scholarship activates and no older than 30 on December 31 of the commissioning year
- Be a U.S. citizen or obtain citizenship by the final day of the first freshman term
- Have at least a 3.3 cumulative unweighted high school GPA
- Earn at least 1310 SAT, 28 ACT including science, or 93 CLT in one sitting
- Complete the required two-mile run, push-ups, and sit-ups fitness assessment
- Have no disqualifying prior full-time post-secondary attendance; qualifying dual enrollment is allowed
- Complete the AFROTC interview and indicate intent to seek a Department of the Air Force commission