Air Force ROTC Commander Scholarship

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USAFADad22

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Oct 24, 2022
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Good morning,

My daughter was recommended for an interview for the Commander scholarship at an Air Force ROTC detachment. They told us that with this scholarship she would not have to go before a board to receive it, because the commander of the detachment chooses this person. They also said that, in order to receive the award, she would have to commit to attending that detachment.

This is what I found on afrotc.com:

  • TYPE 1: Reserved for Commanders’ In-College Scholarships (CICS) [emphasis added] offered to cadets pursuing a technical major. It pays 100 percent tuition and authorized fees at any public or private institution with an Air Force ROTC detachment. Selectees also receive a monthly living expense stipend and an annual book stipend.
  • TYPE 2: This is awarded to all cadets selected through the In-College Scholarship Program (ICSP) and pays up to $18,000 per year in college tuition at any public or private institution with an Air Force ROTC detachment. Scholarship payment is further capped at up to $9,000 per semester or up to $6,000 per quarter. Selectees will also receive a monthly living expense stipend and an annual book stipend.

I have some questions that I'd appreciate help on:

1) Can anyone direct us to more information on the "Commander scholarship"?

2) Is what I found on afrotc.com referring to the same thing that my daughter was offered? Is the "Commander scholarship" that the detachment mentioned the same thing as the "Commanders’ In-College Scholarships (CICS)" that afrotc.com mentions?

3) If the "Commander scholarship" and the "Commanders’ In-College Scholarships (CICS)" are the same thing, what is the difference between a "Commanders’ In-College Scholarship (CICS)" (Type 1) and a Type 2 scholarship? Here are the characteristics of Type 1 that don't apply to Type 2. Am I missing anything important?
  • You don't have to go before a board.
  • You must commit to that particular detachment.
  • You get 100 percent tuition whereas Type 2 has a cap of $18,000 per year.
  • You must pursue a technical major.

Thank you!

Can anyone direct us to more information on the Commander scholarship?
 
My DD received a CLS from her Detachment.

Correct, IF she opts for this selection, she would have to commit to that university only and her package would be pulled from the national pool and no longer considered. When my DD accepted her CLS, within hours, her Wings portal was updated reflecting her scholarship award.

Depending on her major, she would be offered a Type 1 (full tuition and fees) if a STEM major. Any other major would be a Type 2 offer, capped at $18,000/year (or $9K per semester). My DD initially received the Type 1 due to her major. However, the major did not agree with her and she was successful in changing her major and AFROTC reduced her to a Type 2 scholarship but still retained her.

The In College scholarship is offered to the non-scholarship college programmers that have performed well while in ROTC and earn an "in-college" scholarship. With the new way AFROTC is going, anyone reaching their 3rd year will automatically earn this and I believe it will be the Type 1.

There is almost no information out there on the CLS scholarship. You cannot ask for it. The Detachment must see something in your DD and wants her there. The Detachment may be interviewing multiple candidates. They can only offer 1 incoming freshman the CLS each year.
 
jaglvr said:
With the new way AFROTC is going, anyone reaching their 3rd year will automatically earn this and I believe it will be the Type 1.
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According to the article I posted the other day, the new scholarship is capped at $18k/year, therefore it's essentially a Type 2.
 
USAFADad22 said:
1) Can anyone direct us to more information on the "Commander scholarship"?
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I know this is Navy, so take it as you will, but when I in recruiting the regional recruiting CO was allocated several NROTC scholarships he could just push-button. So, as the regional NROTC interviewer I had a young man or woman who was truly exceptional I could refer them to my skipper and if he decided, they got an NROTC scholarship. No board, no waiting -- done.

Now, that was 2013 - 2015 and Navy, but it sounds similar. That said, I don't believe there was a requirement regarding the school being attended.

I share this to make the point that push button scholarships are a thing, a very good thing to be precise.
 
franknd said:
According to the article I posted the other day, the new scholarship is capped at $18k/year, therefore it's essentially a Type 2.
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Thanks...that changed from what it was going to be so thanks for the update.
 
USNA_STEM_Prof said:
I know this is Navy, so take it as you will, but when I in recruiting the regional recruiting CO was allocated several NROTC scholarships he could just push-button. So, as the regional NROTC interviewer I had a young man or woman who was truly exceptional I could refer them to my skipper and if he decided, they got an NROTC scholarship. No board, no waiting -- done.

Now, that was 2013 - 2015 and Navy, but it sounds similar. That said, I don't believe there was a requirement regarding the school being attended.

I share this to make the point that push button scholarships are a thing, a very good thing to be precise.
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The AFROTC one is coming directly from the Detachment Commander so it's tied to the school.
 
My daughter was just offered the AFROTC commanders scholarship, and it is essentially a Type 1 scholarship. Her scholarship award is not dependent on STEM major. She was initially rejected for the scholarship due to not having a technical major, but was recommended for commander's scholarship, interviewed with university detachment commander, and then offered the award. She is currently reading through the acceptance packet, which must be signed before moving forward.
 
NongSai1 said:
My daughter was just offered the AFROTC commanders scholarship, and it is essentially a Type 1 scholarship. Her scholarship award is not dependent on STEM major. She was initially rejected for the scholarship due to not having a technical major, but was recommended for commander's scholarship, interviewed with university detachment commander, and then offered the award. She is currently reading through the acceptance packet, which must be signed before moving forward.
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Is your DD currently in college or high school?
 
My son was offered a Commanders- Type 1, however, it was in the beginning of his sophomore year in college. He ended up going 5 years, so this was a sweet deal.
 
NongSai1 said:
senior in HS. Her offer letter reads, ". . .You have been conditionally selected to receive a 4-Year, Type 1, Any Approved Major, Air Force ROTC Commander's Scholarship (CS)..."
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Has she been admitted and committed to the school before she was awarded CS?
 
hornet6232 said:
Has she been admitted and committed to the school before she was awarded CS?
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Admitted, yes, not necessarily committed but certain she wants to go there. At this university, there is not a need to commit. Registering for classes at summer orientation is the time they commit.
 
mascara_mom said:
My son was offered a Commanders- Type 1, however, it was in the beginning of his sophomore year in college. He ended up going 5 years, so this was a sweet deal.
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When did he apply for the Commanders - Type 1 scholarship that he received at the beginning of his sophomore year in college?
 
SLg said:
When did he apply for the Commanders - Type 1 scholarship that he received at the beginning of his sophomore year in college?
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He was awarded this. He never applied. I believe there were 2 cadets that were offered it. If he had accepted it, he had to contract.
 
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