The Air Force ROTC High School Scholarship Program (HSSP) supports high-school seniors who want to attend college and prepare to commission as Air Force or Space Force officers. Applicants must meet academic and physical standards, pursue an accepted major, and enroll in an affiliated university program. It is not simply a merit check: acceptance involves training and military service.
Applicants must complete the portal and meet citizenship, age, grades, testing, medical, and fitness standards in the year’s guide. The program uses major categories and participating universities; awards can depend on career-field priority. 2026–27 dates are published in the current Applicant Guide and portal, not older-cycle lists.
For AY 2027–28, the HSSP window opened July 1, 2026; the published initial-application deadline is December 11, 2026, with supplemental materials due December 22. The Board 1 interview date is October 16, 2026, close to this review date; Board 2 allows more time. Award tiers cover tuition/fees up to different caps or, under some options, housing. Check the current guide and portal before acting.
The published AY 2027–28 cycle lists December 11, 2026 for the initial application and December 22 for missing documents. Board 1 interviews were scheduled for October 16; if that date is not workable, immediately check Board 2 timing. Read the current applicant guide, gather transcripts and test records, apply through AFROTC.com, and confirm the school/major. Before accepting, discuss service and disenrollment terms with the detachment.
Scholarship rules can change each year; do not use a prior cohort’s PDF. Compare the military service obligation with the financial award. Read the program profile and the administering agency; ask your financial-aid office to review your individual case.
High School Scholarship Program — U.S. Air Force ROTC.
AY 2027–28 HSSP timeline and applicant information — Rutgers Air Force ROTC Detachment 485.
Air Force ROTC — U.S. Air Force.
Information checked October 13, 2026 against official sources. Scholarships, loans, rates, amounts, and application cycles can change. Read the contract and confirm the current cycle with the agency or financial-aid office before making decisions.
Scholarship rules can change each year; do not use a prior cohort’s PDF. Compare the military service obligation with the financial award.
Options to compare
These options relate to the question. Read each profile and check current details before deciding.
Air Force ROTC High School Scholarship Program
Tuition, fees, housing, and stipend coverage depends on award tier, major, school, and cohort.
Public student financial-aid program
U.S. Air Force ROTC — High School Scholarship Program
The agency verifies fitness and academic standards, major, college admission, and officer service commitment.
Public student-aid administering office
Sources & references
Sources for the information and reporting discussed in this guide.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
U.S. Air Force ROTC · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Rutgers Air Force ROTC Detachment 485 · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
U.S. Air Force · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official application and program information ↗
Primary source
U.S. Air Force ROTC · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Air Force ROTC High School Scholarship Program ↗
Primary source
Rutgers Air Force ROTC Detachment 485 · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of U.S. Air Force ROTC — High School Scholarship Program ↗
Primary source
Rutgers Air Force ROTC Detachment 485 · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of U.S. Air Force ROTC — High School Scholarship Program ↗
Primary source
U.S. Air Force · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.