Expert: Rod Powers - 5/21/2007

Question
Rod,
I am trying to map my daughters career, and I need guidance on where to begin for her to go to college on an AirForce scholarship.  She will be a senior when school starts this fall.
Thank You
Jovana

Answer
Hi Jovana,

There are basically two types of Air Force "scholarships." The first is attendence at the Air Force Academy (see: my article, "The Perfect University" at: The Perfect University).

The problem is that Academy scholarships are very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very competitive. Several thousand people apply for Air Force Academy Scholarships each year, and only a couple of hundred are accepted. It's about the same competition to get selected for a scholarship to Yale, or Harvard. To be competitive for one of the slots, one needs to have lots of "hard science" courses, such as physics, geometry, biology, trigonometry, calculus (no "plush" courses, such as "home economics"), be active in sports, and have many extra-cirricular activities, which show leadership ability (you thought this was going to be "easy," didn't you?). Additionally, her GPA has to be pretty close to straight "A's." Oh.....her Congress-man will also have to nominate her.

The other option is to get accepted for an Air Force ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Program) scholarship at the college she decides to attend. While not quite as "competitive" as an Academy nomination, It's still competitive. She will have to have the "hard science" courses, and a high grade point average, just to be considered. For details, see: http://www.afrotc.com/scholarships/hsschol/types.php

For more information about the United States Military, feel free to visit my U.S. Military Information Site at: http://usmilitary.about.com

Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
http://usmilitary.about.com