Air Force ROTC runs its scholarship on a fixed calendar, and the families who do best treat that calendar as the plan. There are two boards, not one, and the earlier board competes for the full slate of awards. This page lays out the Air Force ROTC scholarship deadlines and board dates for the 2026-2027 cycle and what to do with them.
The 2026-2027 Air Force ROTC board dates
Air Force ROTC reviews completed packets at a fall board and a winter board. The scheduled dates for the 2026-2027 cycle are:
| Round | Document deadline | Board reviews applications |
|---|---|---|
| Board 1 (27HS01) | September 25, 2026 | October 26-29, 2026 |
| Board 2 (27HS02) | December 22, 2026 | March 15-26, 2027 |
The document deadline shown above is the last day to become eligible in WINGS by submitting any missing documents. The initial application deadline is earlier: September 15, 2026 for Board 1 and December 11, 2026 for Board 2. If you are selected, accept a Board 1 offer by March 1, 2027 or a Board 2 offer by May 31, 2027.
What a completed packet requires
The online application is the start, not the finish. AFROTC reviews a completed packet, and several pieces depend on other people, so start each one early.
A packet is not complete until every piece is in, and the slowest piece sets your timeline. Test scores and the detachment interview are the two that most often arrive late, so chase them first.
When you will hear back
AFROTC releases board results about two weeks after the board concludes. Board schedules can shift based on Department of the Air Force needs, so confirm the current dates against the official guide on afrotc.com before you build your plan around any single day.
For what a competitive Air Force ROTC file looks like beyond the dates, see our guide on how to win an Air Force ROTC scholarship.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Air Force ROTC scholarship deadline for 2026-2027?
Air Force ROTC runs two HSSP boards. The initial application deadline is September 15, 2026 for the fall board (Board 1) and December 11, 2026 for the winter board (Board 2). The document deadline to finish an eligible packet in WINGS is later, per board.
When are the Air Force ROTC board dates?
Air Force ROTC holds two High School Scholarship Program boards each cycle, a fall board and a winter board. See the board table above for the exact 2026-2027 windows, and remember that board schedules can shift based on Department of the Air Force needs.
Should I apply for the fall or winter AFROTC board?
Aim for the fall board if your file can be complete in time. Board 1 reviews applicants while the full slate of scholarships is available, while the winter board works from the awards that remain. An early, complete file is in a stronger position.
What test code do I send my SAT or ACT scores to for AFROTC?
Send your SAT or ACT scores to AFROTC Test Code 0548. The packet is not counted as complete until the scores arrive, so send them early enough to post before your target board.
When did the 2026-2027 Air Force ROTC application open?
The 2026-2027 application portal opened July 1, 2026. Because AFROTC works from two boards and the earlier one has more awards, starting early is a real advantage.
When do you hear back from an AFROTC scholarship board?
AFROTC typically releases results about two weeks after a board concludes. If you accept, there is an acceptance deadline for each board, so watch for the offer and respond within the window given.