@ThePilot18 Oh yeah they will take specific degrees if there is an AFSC shortage.
About 5-6 yrs ago they had enough candidates applying for rated, but not enough specific engineer degrees. They capped the certain engineer degrees @10% for rated.
I've heard it said that these Air Force scholarships are more of a recruiting function
This is true. SFT and rated boards prove this. When you go up for SFT as an AS200/250/500 the board will not see which cadet is on scholarship and which is not. In the AF world it is called being "masked". The same is true for rated. You get no edge just because you are on scholarship.
Now for some other things to think about regarding why to go tech degree.
1. The AF has been tech degree oriented for decades.
~ My DH commissioned AFROTC in 1987 with a tech major and he got his scholarship because he was a tech major (aerospace).
~ USAFA has a nickname...The Little Engineering School in the Rockies.
2. SFT selection.
~ You must get selected and attend SFT to commission. As I stated earlier the board does not see if you are on scholarship, however, you get an edge for selection. The highest selection rate has always been tech going rated. It is followed by tech/non-rated and non-tech/rated. Lowest selection rate is non-tech/non-rated. It is common for tech majors to be selected with a 3.1 cgpa. Non-tech typically need a 3.3/3.4 cgpa.
3. Although it is a recruiting tool there is another reason why some cadets wanting to be a pilot go engineering. Future career opportunities, such as NASA.
~ Test Pilot School is a stepping stone for applying to NASA
~~ A requirement for TPS, or at least the last I knew, you have to have an engineering degree as a pre-requisite to apply.
Some things to think about regarding applying for the scholarship.
1. My DS was a type 2 non-tech scholarship recipient that is now an ADAF pilot.
~ The top grad out of his UPT class was a prior E OCS grad. He got a 22. Number 2 was non-tech AFROTC and she got an F15E.
~~ Point being is being a tech degree grad does not equate into "handling the stick"
~~~ I am not saying it doesn't help, I am saying you should not believe it gives you an edge when it comes to UPT. You can be book smart, but flying is a seat of your pants aspect. No book can teach you quick reaction skills.
2. The slate is wiped clean once you enter ROTC, and than again once you enter UPT.
~ I have seen you are in JROTC. There is no edge when you enter ROTC bc you were in JROTC. If anything, sometimes it backfires. The reason why is: If you walk in thinking that your JROTC experience converts into ROTC knowledge you become "that guy/gal".
~~ At my DS's HS, 7 AFJROTC applied for an HSSP. A total of 10 students applied, 3 non-JROTC. Only 1 got it. Hint see above #1. Not one JROTC cadets got an HSSP.
~ Nobody talks about whom is on scholarship and whom is not. The only way people figure it out is:
A. The 1st and the 15th of the month, because that is when you get your stipend, thus they are flush with $$$
B. They are in the det. trying to find out when their tuition bill will be paid.
3. Don't game it for the scholarship.
~ This site is filled with posters that after 1 semester in the tech degree they are floundering and want to now change to a non-tech. The chances of HQ AFROTC approving this is slim to none. If you need that scholarship to attend your school, than re-think this.
~~ See above regarding SFT. HQ AFROTC may say 2.5 gpa for maintaining the scholarship, but 2.5 will not cut it for SFT selection.
~ 3.1 seems easy, but HS and college are different. AF knows this and that is why a 2.5 is the min.
4. Start getting your medical records in order.
~ USAFA applicants when they reach a certain point will be sent for the DoDMERB exam. However, AFROTC HSSP applicants will not be sent until they are awarded a scholarship.
~~ They will go back to the age of 13.
