About Air Force ROTC

Our staff is on campus and ready to answer your questions via email at rotc695@up.edu, over the phone at 503-943-7216, or in person in Kenna Hall. We are always actively accepting inquires and applications.

The AFROTC program involves four major components: academic courses, leadership laboratory, physical fitness, and field training. Most degree programs at University of Portland consider AFROTC courses as elective credits. In four years, cadets earn a total of 32 AFROTC credits (six credits each year as a freshman and sophomore, and ten each year as a junior and senior).

Academic courses (i.e. AS10x, AS20x, AS30x, AS40x) build upon one another to introduce cadets to the Department of the Air Force, teach leadership fundamentals, application of air and space power, and explore active duty military life. During the first two years, cadets attend one 1.5-hour class per week focused on military structure, culture, and history along with general officership. As an upper classman, cadets attend one 3-hour class (may be broken into two 1.5-hour sessions) per week designed to teach individual and team leadership, military supervision, and applicable laws and policies.

Each semester, cadets also attend a 2-hour leadership laboratory (i.e. AS11x, AS21x, AS31x, AS41x; commonly Lead Lab or LLAB) once per week designed to teach and apply military customs and courtesies and leadership skills in all sorts of circumstances. Lead Lab is considered the most fun part of ROTC. During the class, cadets get hands-on training, including visiting nearby facilities, conducting mobility exercises, practicing drill and ceremonies, or working on team building and leadership exercises—all to help prepare cadets for life on active duty.

AFROTC cadets conduct physical fitness training for one hour twice per week for UP students and once per week for cross-town students. Training often includes running or other aerobic conditioning, calisthenics, and/or various sports. Physical fitness training is typically conducted early in the morning or in the evening to avoid conflicts with other classes.

After your first two years, if you decide to remain in the program and pursue your commission you will attend Field Training. Field Training (FT) is a 2-week encampment at Maxwell Air Force Base, AL where cadets are evaluated on their potential to be officers. Cadets are evaluated on leadership and followership principles through group leadership projects, deployment exercises, and physical training. After FT, cadets become Professional Officer Course cadets charged with running the Cadet Wing in various leadership positions. These leadership positions range from preparing cadets for FT, planning events, and overseeing the training and development of all cadets.

AFROTC also offers several extracurricular activities and summer programs for cadets. Extracurricular activities include the Mitchell's Rifles armed drill team, Arnold Air Society and Silver Wings community service organizations, Spaatz Air Corps morale and welfare organization, and Civil Air Patrol small aircraft familiarization. Summer programs vary year-to-year and generally include internships, base visits, and exchanges.

Current As Of: 1 May 2024

Scholarships

Students may participate in the Air Force ROTC program whether or not they have a scholarship. A variety of scholarships are available for highly qualified candidates to pay for their education. Scholarships generally cover tuition, fees, and books, up to a cap based on specific scholarship along with a monthly stipend.

High School Scholarship Program

The first way to earn an Air Force ROTC scholarship is to apply for a scholarship out of high school. These scholarships typically cover full tuition and fees at any university. The window for applying opens in July during the student's senior year in high school and closes in mid-January.

Applications are submitted online at www.afrotc.comand involve two parts: the application and the interview. Scores from both parts meet a centralized selection board. If the student does not earn a scholarship during a given board, their application automatically rolls to the next board.

Students may also elect to compete for scholarships from the US Air Force, US Space Force, or both.

In-College Scholarship Program

The second way to earn an Air Force ROTC scholarship is through the In-College Scholarship Program. The AFROTC staff nominates qualified candidates for the In-College Scholarship each year; there is not an online application for an In-College Scholarship.

Scholarships of either type are offered to the best qualified candidates based on their:

• Demonstrated leadership
• Air Force Physical Fitness Assessment score
• Cumulative GPA
• SAT/ACT scores (or AFOQT scores for In-College Scholarships)
• Medical clearance

Additionally, the Air Force maintains a list of highly-desired academic majors at https://www.afrotc.com/scholarships/desired-majors/

*NEW* Professional Officer Course Scholarship Program

Cadets who successfully complete Field Training--typically between their sophomore and junior year--and are otherwise eligible for scholarships are automatically awarded a scholarship. These scholarships are worth up to $18,000 per year for tuition and fees OR up to $10,000 per year in room and board (cadet choice).

University of Portland Subsidies for AFROTC Scholarships

University of Portland offers room and board subsidies to scholarship winners depending on the level of scholarship:

• Type 1: Students receiving a Type 1 (Full Tuition) AFROTC scholarship will also receive full room and board subsides at UP.
• Type 2: Students receiving a Type 2 (up to $18,000 per year) AFROTC Scholarship will receive a room subsidy at the university. This includes students who convert their Type 7 scholarship to a 3 year, Type 2 scholarship.

University of Portland Financial Aid for ROTC

University of Portland Merit Scholarships

UP offers numerous merit-based scholarships to eligible applicants. These can be used in conjunction with AFROTC scholarships. For specifics, please contact the Financial Aid office at University of Portland.

Find out more regarding scholarships or application requirements contact us at rotc695@up.edu or 503.943.7216.

Current As Of: 1 May 2024

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