AFROTC tough year for HSSP

FVHSGrad2023 said:
What are the ICSP and CICS scholarships?
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For AFROTC cadets already enrolled in college, check out AFROTC.com for details. Going forward, the AF will now lean on awarding more scholarships at the collegiate level rather than high school.
 
tornadowarning33 said:
For selectivity in terms of receiving an HSSP scholarship, sure. For AFROTC in general, not quite. Any student enrolled at a school with a det or crosstown agreement can register for and attend AS100 classes. After that, competition for an EA won't be as fierce as for a USAFA appointment offer.
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Makes sense and that is good to know. So, enroll in AFROTC classes and apply your sophomore year? My daughter is in the class of 2026 at USAFA. She has several friends who are in class of 2026 but got denied an AFROTC scholarship. I didn't think that made much sense until I just read about these changes.
 
CSHhawk said:
For AFROTC cadets already enrolled in college, check out AFROTC.com for details. Going forward, the AF will now lean on awarding more scholarships at the collegiate level rather than high school.
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I haven't had my coffee so excuse this question, but where on that page is info about current cadets and their getting scholarship dollars? My son is a junior on a partial and I'd love to have him being bumped to a Type 1. Thanks!
 
AS300s and AS400s will now be automatically awarded scholarships which is the main reason on the cut back for HSSP.
 
franknd said:
Please research this. There is credible reason to believe that AFROTC is cutting way back on HSSP scholarships. Nobody should be surprised by adverse selection results.

rotcconsulting.com

Significant changes to the Air Force ROTC High School Scholarship Program (HSSP) starting in Academic Year 2022-2023 - ROTC Consulting

If you’re a high school student planning to apply for an Air Force ROTC scholarship, the Air Force ROTC program just released important news you must consider when making decisions about your future. 2022-2023 Changes to the Air Force ROTC Scholarship Program In a recent 2022 memorandum to Air...
rotcconsulting.com rotcconsulting.com
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Has anybody seen anything about this specific to AY2023-2024? Are HSSP still half what they had been?

Also, while I'm here lol, how many months is the AFROTC cadet stipend paid? I've found several references to the Army stipend being 10 months, but I'm having trouble finding info on the AFROTC stipend. I'm assuming it's the same, but want to be sure.
 
JBR96 said:
Has anybody seen anything about this specific to AY2023-2024? Are HSSP still half what they had been?

Also, while I'm here lol, how many months is the AFROTC cadet stipend paid? I've found several references to the Army stipend being 10 months, but I'm having trouble finding info on the AFROTC stipend. I'm assuming it's the same, but want to be sure.
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So I have read elsewhere that historically only about 15% of AFROTC scholarship issued to high school students were Type 1 four year awards, and that this number is likely to remain the same. Going forward most AFROTC scholarships will be in college awards and most of these will be 2 year awards only to those selected for and successfully completing Field Training. The positive in my view is that for committed students who might otherwise never be selected for scholarships based on high school performance, if they do well in college and perform well in AFROTC, there is a much better chance of receiving a two year award. There may also be some 3 year awards available.
 
I see NROTC getting more competitive in the next couple of years. Parents and kids want the 4 year or 3 year with college helping bridge freshman year.
 
Our DS hit this last year. Was tough and heartbreaking. Great stats and nothing. But rules changed (Sadly didn't know about this until he was already in college). He joined AFROTC anyway and gave it his all. He was submitted for an ICSP at the beginning of his spring semester his first year (still waiting to hear), but they are giving several ICSP's out as stated in that updated info. If its something you want, follow the rules and give it your all. Sounds like Type 2 and Type 1's are being awarded for ICSP.

The two years scholarships are for all who pass Field Training and not on scholarship.
 
unkown1961 said:
I haven't had my coffee so excuse this question, but where on that page is info about current cadets and their getting scholarship dollars? My son is a junior on a partial and I'd love to have him being bumped to a Type 1. Thanks!
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There was an article about this subject in Air Force Times in the Fall of 2022. DS is a high school junior and went to a couple of university open house events last October & November. All of the officer cadres were telling prospective AFROTC students that high school scholarships would take a dramatic cut from previous years. If a student completes field training it is an almost guarantee for two year scholarship, junior and senior years, capped at 18k per year, same as the old Type 2 scholarship.
The problem seemed to stem from students with a high school scholarship had the AF pay for the first two years then bail on the AF after their sophomore year. This left the AF holding the bag and getting nothing in return.
Just an FYI for the AF folks out there. NROTC has done this for years. They awarded very few four year scholarships out of high school. Students had to prove themselves first then apply for an ICS. NROTC High School scholarships were the hardest ones to figure out the criteria for scholarship awarded. A little research into AFROTC and you found out if you were an outstanding student & athlete & volunteer, you were IN. A-B grades and non captains on two high school sports teams and only 100 volunteer hours had no chance.
IMHO AFROTC has it right now. Prove yourself as a student, succeed in physical fitness, be active in the unit and the AF will commit for the last two years. The student really needs to ask themselves if they really want to be an officer in the AF first and foremost, and yes, you still might not make UPT. AFROTC CAN be a way to supplement the cost of college and become an officer. AFROTC should not be THE way to pay for college and be dissatisfied because you owe the AF 5 years after you graduate.
 
Gearhead5 said:
There was an article about this subject in Air Force Times in the Fall of 2022. DS is a high school junior and went to a couple of university open house events last October & November. All of the officer cadres were telling prospective AFROTC students that high school scholarships would take a dramatic cut from previous years. If a student completes field training it is an almost guarantee for two year scholarship, junior and senior years, capped at 18k per year, same as the old Type 2 scholarship.
The problem seemed to stem from students with a high school scholarship had the AF pay for the first two years then bail on the AF after their sophomore year. This left the AF holding the bag and getting nothing in return.
Just an FYI for the AF folks out there. NROTC has done this for years. They awarded very few four year scholarships out of high school. Students had to prove themselves first then apply for an ICS. NROTC High School scholarships were the hardest ones to figure out the criteria for scholarship awarded. A little research into AFROTC and you found out if you were an outstanding student & athlete & volunteer, you were IN. A-B grades and non captains on two high school sports teams and only 100 volunteer hours had no chance.
IMHO AFROTC has it right now. Prove yourself as a student, succeed in physical fitness, be active in the unit and the AF will commit for the last two years. The student really needs to ask themselves if they really want to be an officer in the AF first and foremost, and yes, you still might not make UPT. AFROTC CAN be a way to supplement the cost of college and become an officer. AFROTC should not be THE way to pay for college and be dissatisfied because you owe the AF 5 years after you graduate.
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@Gearhead5 - The AF does not pay for the first 2 years of the scholarship:
2.8. Freshman Self-Initiated Elimination Option. As a scholarship recipient, you may self-eliminate from AFROTC no later than (NLT) the first day of your sophomore year without any service or scholarship repayment obligation. Regardless of reason, if disenrollment from AFROTC occurs after the first day of your sophomore year you are personally liable for the repayment of all scholarship funds paid by AFROTC and may be required to fulfil accrued service obligation as an enlisted member.
I highly encourage everyone to apply for ROTC scholarships as long as you are committed to serving our country. I feel that it is the same as committing if you receive an appointment to a SA. I do not play 2 high school sports and am not a caption of any sport. I am a co-captain on a club team. There is more to receiving the AFROTC Type 1 scholarship then just being an outstanding student, athlete and volunteer.
 
FVHSGrad2023 said:
@Gearhead5 - The AF does not pay for the first 2 years of the scholarship:
2.8. Freshman Self-Initiated Elimination Option. As a scholarship recipient, you may self-eliminate from AFROTC no later than (NLT) the first day of your sophomore year without any service or scholarship repayment obligation. Regardless of reason, if disenrollment from AFROTC occurs after the first day of your sophomore year you are personally liable for the repayment of all scholarship funds paid by AFROTC and may be required to fulfil accrued service obligation as an enlisted member.
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I think there were probably a decent number of 4 year HSSP who were non-selects for FT, which discharges payback obligation. Two years ago this time was a bloodbath.
 
It was a Bloodbath.
I suspect that experience had a lot to do with the changes that were implemented this year.
 
MDRDV- good luck to you! If your University of Illinois reference is from the movie “Risky Business” that was well played! Your academics are very good. I know of a local student that has a 3.9 weighted GPA & 1380 on the SAT and got an academic/merit full ride to a large in state university with an AFROTC detachment. This student is going to take AFROTC classes, one class and one lab as an open elective, as a non scholarship student.

From my interviews with every AFROTC Det. I have talked to, a student can “walk on” as a non scholarship cadet and take AF 101& AF 101L in the fall and AF 102 & AF 102L in the spring. As a sophomore it’s AF 201 & AF 201L in the fall and AF 202 & AF 202L in the spring. These are the General Military Courses at all of the public & private universities with AFROTC that I have visited.

Another option in AFROTC is an “Express Scholarship“. This is offered to incoming college freshman and some already in college and is degree specific. These are high demand career fields currently in the Air Force. Two of the more recent ones: Meteorology; Electrical Engineering. The express scholarship may be offered at the detachment level only. I would ask lots of questions especially if your goal is a rated position. If the AF is paying for a scholarship under this program for a high demand career field that may be where you stay….just saying.

I would encourage any high school student to apply for a HHSP. However be aware that the program has changed as stated by others on this thread. You also have to be realistic. Middle of the road ACT / SAT, GPA, low or no athletic participation for a Type 1 scholarship is not going to cut it. It has been said that AFROTC Type 1 scholarship selectees were just a half step behind an AFA selectee. The Demographic Profile of the Incoming USAFA Class of 2025: Athletic Letter Awards (1 or more/any sport ) 76%; National Honor Society 64%. The next highest percentage: Band or Orchestra 22%. These numbers have been pretty consistent for a few years now. For a very long time the AFROTC scholarship interview has had a very high point value. If you are a little weak in some areas you have an opportunity to make up for lost ground with the interview.
 
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