To be eligible for an Air Force ROTC scholarship there are specific temporal, physical and academic requirements you need to be aware of. Explore the following sections to find out the requirements and deadlines that may apply to you. Remember, you can always contact us if you have any questions about the Air Force ROTC or the application process.
Deadline
To apply for an Air Force ROTC scholarship, you must have your application submitted online by midnight December 1, 2009.
The following sections describe eligibility requirements for scholarship applications.
Physical Requirements
You must complete the Physical Fitness Assessment
Physical Fitness AssessmentPFA - an exam consisting of three events—crunches, push-ups, and a 1.5-mile run-- used to determine physical fitness level as part of the application process for the college scholarship program. (PFAPFAPhysical Fitness Assessment ), and submit the Letter of Certification before you can become eligible for the scholarship interview.
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If you are offered an Air Force ROTC scholarship, you must pass the Physical Fitness TestPhysical Fitness TestPFT - an exam composed of three events in the following order: push-ups, crunches, and a 1.5-mile run. The test is used to ensure cadets maintain an acceptable level of fitness. (PFTPFTPhysical Fitness Test ) prior to the end of your first semester of college.
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Academic Requirements
We measure your academic performance using an Academic Composite. This is based on a combination of your SAT and/or ACT scores (no mixing allowed), class rank, GPA and the number of advanced placement or honors courses you have completed through grade 11.
Do not wait until you get grade 12 courses - they are not counted in the composite. The following table provides some information to indicate whether or not you think you will be academically competitive for an AFROTCAFROTCAir Force Reserve Officer Training Corps scholarship.
| Mid-Range Applicant Scores* | Mid-Range Eligibility Scores** | Average Scores of Recipients† |
|---|---|---|
| Class Rank Top 25% | Class Rank Top 19% | Class Rank Top 12% |
| GPA 3.46 | GPA 3.59 | GPA 3.77 |
| SAT 1170†† | SAT 1260†† | SAT 1260†† |
| ACT 27 | ACT 27 | ACT 27 |
* Average scores of the middle half of AFROTC |
||
Normally to be eligible for scholarship consideration, you should achieve an SAT composite of 1100 (Math and Verbal portion only) or ACT composite of 24, attain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and have a class ranking in the top 40%.
The majority of scholarship recipients have also completed some advanced placement and honors courses. If you do not meet the minimum academic requirements noted above, you could still apply if you have other outstanding leadership credentials you feel merit consideration by AFROTC for scholarship - be sure to include these credentials in your application.
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 for a personal interview. To remain eligible, you need to either keep this appointment or make alternate arrangements. During this interview, your height and weight will be measured.
To be eligible for the scholarship interview, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be a United States citizen or 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.
- 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 commissioncommissionBestowed upon an AFROTC graduate by the President of the United States recognizing them as an officer in the U.S. Air Force. .
- Prior to the fall academic term 2010, 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 detachmentdetachmentThe Air Force ROTC unit at a host university. admissions representative for dependent care plan information.
Stay Tuned
After you submit your application, you will be notified via letter of your eligibility status. If you have not heard anything within six weeks about your status, it is your responsibility to write or call the High School Scholarship Section ».
Mail Losses
Because of the large volume of paperwork, mail losses or processing errors may occur. By applying early you have time to correct any problems before January 9, 2010. Air Force ROTC does not assume any responsibility for mail losses.
When mailing correspondence not attached to your initial application, ensure you include your social security number to expedite processing and keep copies of all correspondence. To protect yourself, you may want to send correspondence via return receipt mail.
Withdrawal of Application
You may withdraw your application at any time by writing or sending an email or fax to the High School Scholarship Selections Section. You may apply for any other officer training program. But once you enroll in another program, you will be removed from further Air Force ROTC scholarship competition. Other officer training programs include:
- U.S. Air Force Academy
- U.S. Military Academy
- U.S. Naval Academy
- U.S. Coast Guard Academy
- U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
- Army ROTC Scholarship Program
- Naval ROTC Scholarship Program
- Marine Platoon Leaders Course
Notify the High School Scholarship ProgramHigh School Scholarship ProgramProvides 3- and 4-year scholarships in three different types to high school seniors. Section immediately if you accept and enroll in another program. Your failure to do this may cause permanent ineligibility for Air Force ROTC scholarships of less than four years. If you choose to leave the other officer training program, you may apply for one of the Air Force ROTC scholarships of less than four years if a waiver is granted.
Scholarship Status
Air Force ROTC will contact you periodically on your status, and you can also track your application status online ». It is critical your current mailing address, email address and telephone number are available and accurate. Notify the High School Scholarship Section in writing for changes to your name, social security number, address or telephone number.
Service Obligation
Applying for an Air Force ROTC scholarship does not obligate you in any way. As a scholarship recipient though, you obligate yourself when you sign an agreement with the United States Air Force. If you are under legal age in the state where the school is located, your parent or legal guardian signs this agreement. You will agree to:
- Enroll in the academic major in which the scholarship is offered.
- Enlist in the Air Force Reserve and enroll in Air Force ROTC beginning with the 2010 fall term.
- Satisfactorily complete a four-week summer Field TrainingField TrainingFour- or five-week encampment in which cadets receive officership training course at an Air Force base (normally scheduled between your sophomore and junior years).
- Complete the Air Force ROTC Professional Officer CourseProfessional Officer CoursePOC - ROTC course for juniors and seniors. .
- Accept a commission as an Air Force officer.
- Serve at least four years on active duty.
Financial Responsibility
Applicants and families are encouraged to consider their own ability to pay tuition when selecting a college or university. Although the applicant may be in receipt of a scholarship offer, there may be a delay in activation due to various reasons, for example, a delay in medical qualification by Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board (DODMERBDODMERBDepartment of Defense Medical Examination Records Board ).
In the event this delay extends beyond the normal 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 liable for a term or more of tuition and fees.
Staying Eligible
To remain eligible, you need to be medically certified » before your scholarship benefits begin. The Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board (DODMERB) will send you complete instructions. If you cannot meet the scheduled appointment, 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 your exam; remove soft lenses 72 hours before. If you have a medical question, DODMERB is your only official source. Write DODMERB, Colorado Springs, CO, 80840-2200, or call 719-333-3562.
Contact Us
Contact the Air Force ROTC High School Scholarship Selection Section at:
High School Scholarship Section
551 E. Maxwell Blvd.
Maxwell AFB AL 36112-6106
866-423-7682
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