Scholarships

National High School Air Force ROTC Scholarships 

(CAO 24 Jun 26) 

Air Force ROTC offers merit-based high school scholarships that provide financial assistance covering tuition. These scholarships support cadets pursuing undergraduate degrees aligned with Department of the Air Force accessions needs and also help reduce barriers to education and a career of service.

The first opportunity for prospective cadets to earn a scholarship is during their senior year of high school. The application window for the AY27-28 High School Scholarship Program (HSSP) opens 1 July 2026 and closes 11 December 2026, with final documents due by 22 December 2026. These are highly competitive national selection boards. For more information or questions about eligibility, timelines, or application requirements, feel free to contact either Major Marshal Black or Captain Bernard Sheppard, or visit the Holm Center Portal.

AY27-28 HSSP Board Schedule & Key Dates

Notes:

1. Applicants must submit all required documents and SAT/ACT/CLT scores must have been received by AFROTC by this date. Applicants must meet minimum scores as outlined in application/cycle guides to be considered eligible.
2. Board schedules are subject to change based on DAF needs.

Board schedules are established to meet Department of the Air Force needs and are subject to change. Applicants must have submitted at least an initial online application by the specified deadlines to be eligible for consideration.

Additional opportunities to earn an Air Force ROTC scholarship exist during college through the In-College Scholarship Program. Cadets who meet academic and physical fitness standards, maintain medical qualification, and demonstrate military excellence by applying knowledge and skills learned in AFROTC classes may be nominated for scholarships. There is no formal application process for this program; nominations are based on cadet performance.

All cadets in their junior year who have completed Field Training and meet minimum AFROTC scholarship requirements receive the Charles McGee Leadership Award (CMLA). The Charles McGee Leadership Award (CMLA) provides up to $18,000 per year in tuition and fees for cadets during their junior and senior years. In addition, the CMLA includes a monthly stipend and an annual book allowance of $900 to assist with college textbook costs. Cadets who have alternative tuition funding sources (e.g., G.I. Bill, Title 35) may convert the CMLA to a housing scholarship providing up to $10,000 per year to help cover on-campus living expenses. Cadets must accept the CMLA by 31 December of their junior year.

Physical fitness is a critical component of service in the Air and Space Forces. As a cadet and future active-duty officer, you will be required to take and pass a physical fitness assessment. The link below offers detailed information about the test components, minimum passing standards, and scoring criteria to achieve maximum points. You must pass this test to activate and maintain an Air Force ROTC scholarship. 

Learn more about Air Force ROTC Scholarships and/or apply now

Learn more about the Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA) criteria here

Learn more about Medical Disqualifications here 

Find the High School Scholarship Program (HSSP) Applicant Guide here

Learn more about Federal Work-Study here

In-College Scholarship Overview

Students interested in participating Air Force ROTC at Detachment 810 are automatically considered for a Baylor Merit Based Scholarship. Detachment 810 cadets attending Baylor with a HSSP scholarship have historically fared very well in this process, receiving an average of just over $20,000 per year in merit scholarships from Baylor alone, yet the actual amount will vary per student. Merit-Based scholarships can cover lodging expenses, meal plans, or other non-tuition expenses.  Leftover funds will be reimbursed to the student for use toward non-billable education expenses. Recipients must maintain a 3.0 CGPA to retain these incentive scholarships. For more information, contact the Baylor University OneStop. Lastly, Baylor guarantees a minimum scholarship award of $5,000 for Detachment 810 alumni-specific scholarships (limited to 1 recipient per scholarship).  These are described below in detail.

Commander’s Incentive Fund, ICSP, and CMLA

Baylor University provides a robust incentive fund to attract and support high-quality Air Force ROTC cadets with and without Air Force scholarships. For AY 26-27, the Incentive Fund is being used on a case-by-case basis to ensure we admit top-tier cadets.

Current cadets can compete for an In-College Scholarship (ICSP), or could be awarded a Charles McGee Leadership Award (CMLA) after returning from Field Training. Cadets without an Air Force ROTC scholarship may be offered a financial award based on the discretion of the Detachment Commander and fund availability. 

Incentive funds are based on financial need, overall merit, and fiscal year funding availability. Both scholarships/awards require students to obtain and maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA and full-time student status at Baylor, and their Air Force scholarship must remain active, if awarded.  Leftover funds can be reimbursed to the student for use toward non-billable education expenses. 

The Major Brenna Cole-Pickrel Memorial AFROTC Endowed Scholarship

Brenna Renee Cole-Pickrel was born February 3rd, 1993, and died October 2nd, 2024, at the age of 31. On a bright Sunday afternoon, Brenna was crossing a crosswalk with her dog Daisy when she was tragically struck by oncoming traffic. She is survived by her husband Kane Pickrel, parents Tom and Linda Cole; sister Lindsey Cole; and brother Adam Cole, his wife Myriah, and nephew Winston. To carry forward her legacy, Brenna’s parents have established a scholarship in her name at Baylor University.

To honor her legacy, the Major Brenna Cole-Pickrel Memorial AFROTC Endowed Scholarship has been established in her name. This permanent endowment will provide an annual scholarship to a deserving Baylor AFROTC cadet every year—forever. Once the fund reaches the minimum threshold of $100,000, it will begin distributing scholarships perpetually, ensuring that Brenna’s legacy continues shaping future leaders for generations to come. You can read more about Brenna here.

Gary E. and Susan Key Baker Endowed Scholarship

The Gary E. and Susan Key Baker Scholarship was established to fund a student or students attending Baylor University Law School, with preference given to students who are Baylor AFROTC graduates, or active duty, reserve or retired US Military, or honorable discharge from any branch of the United States Military or any other deserving student.

Chaplain (Major General) Gerald Marsh Endowed Scholarship

The Chaplain (Major General) Gerald Marsh Endowed Scholarship was created in August of 1993 to establish an award for Baylor AFROTC cadets. Each year at Homecoming, the Baylor AFROTC Alumni Advisory Committee awards scholarships to cadets enrolled in AFROTC. This annual event provides the Baylor AFROTC Alumni Association an opportunity to recognize outstanding cadet accomplishment while helping to mitigate today's rising educational costs. This scholarship is eligible for the minimum scholarship award of $5,000. 

Raynor L. Hebert Memorial Scholarship

Established by the James Connally Angel Flight in 1966, this scholarship is given on the basis of leadership, ability, character, and need. It is given in memory of Raynor Hebert who died to save the lives of others. On May 13, 1964, Lt Hebert crashed his plane in a residential area in Las Vegas, Nevada. Having technical difficulties with the plane, Hebert chose to remain in it to land it away from an elementary school with 800 children inside. In performing such an heroic act, Lt Hebert lost his own life. The lives of a mother and her child and two other small children were also lost. Lt Hebert graduated from Baylor May 27, 1960. He was an AFROTC cadet and a squadron commander in 1959. He was also a member of Arnold Air Society and Circle K. He was 26 at the time of his death. This scholarship is eligible for the minimum scholarship award of $5,000. 

Captain Larry Glenn Pitts Memorial Scholarship

Captain Larry G. Pitts lives in the memories of his family, friends, and classmates. He touched the lives of all that knew him, and even in death, his memorial scholarship continues to further the high ideals and commitment to service in which he believed.  Larry’s last pastor wrote a tribute about him stating, “Larry believed in doing worthwhile things. He believed that one’s talents and energies should benefit his community. He had a deep commitment to his God, his country, and to his newly adopted community.  We are thankful for the opportunity that we had to know Larry. Our lives are richer and stronger, and the Stars and Stripes wave more proudly because Larry G. Pitts passed our way.” This scholarship is eligible for the minimum scholarship award of $5,000. 

Military Scholarship Collection

Baylor University is a proud supporter of the United States Military. In addition to voluntarily participating in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Yellow Ribbon Program, Baylor maintains an up-to-date compilation of scholarships geared towards service members and their families. Please follow the link below to access this listing. 

Military Scholarships | Office of the Registrar | Baylor University

Feel free to email the Detachment with questions or concerns.

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