All branches of the military sponsor college ROTC scholarships which are open to all U.S. citizens graduating from high school. Scholarships pay most tuition costs for up to four years, plus books and fees at more than 900 universities and colleges. Successfully completing college ROTC culminates with a commission as a second lieutenant/ensign in the United States military. In the United States Air Force, some students go on to pilot or navigate high performance jet aircraft. Others are placed in positions of responsibly well ahead of their civilian peers. As with all scholarships, a good cumulative grade point average is a must, i.e., don't slack off in your freshman year. SAT/ACT tests should be taken as early as possible. Delaying these tests could cause missing the application deadline or precluding time for retesting, if necessary. Additionally, extra-curricular activities (national honors society, student government, club president, etc.), local community involvement (hospital volunteer, clean-up organizer, etc.) and/or sports make for a well-rounded, successful individual that selection boards are always looking for. The key is to get involved early and often while ascending to leadership positions during your high school career, all the while maintaining good grades.

Air Force scholarship applications can be completed online at www.afrotc.com. Other services (Army, Navy/Marines, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marine) have their own web sites. Scholarship packages must be completed by the prescribed deadline (normally late November of the senior year). Don't wait until your senior year to get started. Check out the criteria today, and then make that your high school goal right from the start of your freshman year.

Each military service has its own selection procedures (refer to individual web sites). The Air Force hosts six selection boards. To be considered by the early boards (normally starting in October of the senior year), your application must be submitted and accepted as complete prior to the board meeting date. If a student is not selected for a scholarship on one board, their application is automatically forwarded to the next convening board. The earlier your application is submitted, the more boards will be released as soon as possible, normally after each board has met and made scholarship selections.

Due to the limited number of AFROTC scholarships, all applications are rank-ordered by the AFROTC Scholarship Board. Satisfying minimum criteria does not guarantee a scholarship award. No one is guaranteed a scholarship. Although AFROTC scholarships are open to all high school students, Junior ROTC students with national awards receive added consideration.

Cadets selected as recipients of AFJROTC scholarships are classified as tentative designees pending final processing. Those selected, must complete all requirements listed in their official notification letter from the AFROTC College Scholarship Section.