Detachment 400 Michigan State University
Hosted at Michigan State University · East Lansing, MI
Spartans is the AFROTC detachment at Michigan State University in Michigan.
Quick facts
About this program
Run by cadre at Michigan State University, Detachment 400 Michigan State University is the AFROTC detachment for East Lansing and surrounding Michigan. The program dates to 1947. Cadets and alumni use the unit's nickname, the Spartans, on guidons and class shirts.
Cross-town agreements bring Lansing Community College and Olivet College into the detachment's footprint. Most cross-town cadets keep their primary academics at the partner school and travel to Michigan State University for ROTC class and lab.
The detachment runs all standard AFROTC scholarship channels: AFROTC HSSP Type 1 (full tuition), AFROTC HSSP Type 2 ($18k cap), AFROTC HSSP Type 7 (in-state). Major-wise, cadets here cluster around engineering and physical sciences and biology and pre-health programs, with cadre encouraging technical degrees where the cadet's career interests fit.
Cross-town partners
| Institution | Relationship | Distance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Olivet College , MI | cross-town | 0.0 mi | — |
| Lansing Community College Lansing, MI | cross-town | 3.4 mi | — |
Scholarships available
Tuition + fees capped at $18,000/yr, plus $900/yr textbook allowance and monthly stipend ($300-$500); may convert to a housing scholarship (up to $10,000/yr). AY27-28 minimums: SAT 1310 / ACT 28 / CLT 93, GPA 3.3. Window: July 1 - December 11, 2026. Award type is fixed at selection - no upgrades.
Service obligation: 4 years
In-College Scholarship Program for freshmen/sophomores already enrolled in AFROTC. Merit-based with fall and spring selection phases; same capped/uncapped structure as HSSP plus the $10,000/yr housing conversion. The General Charles McGee Leadership Award (CMLA) covers non-scholarship cadets who receive an enrollment allocation.
Service obligation: 4 years
Tuition + fees capped at $36,000/yr, plus $900/yr textbook allowance and monthly stipend ($300-$500); may convert to a housing scholarship (up to $10,000/yr). Type 4 replaced the old in-state Type 7 award in the current HSSP structure. AY27-28 minimums: SAT 1310 / ACT 28 / CLT 93, GPA 3.3. Window: July 1 - December 11, 2026.
Service obligation: 4 years
Full tuition with no cap + $900/yr textbook allowance + monthly stipend ($300 freshman to $500 senior); may convert to a housing scholarship (up to $10,000/yr). Most competitive tier. AY27-28 minimums: SAT 1310 / ACT 28 / CLT 93, unweighted GPA 3.3, single test sitting. Window: July 1 - December 11, 2026; two boards (Oct 2026, Mar 2027). 4-year active-duty obligation (longer for rated career fields).
Service obligation: 4 years
Academic programs at Michigan State University
Cadets at Detachment 400 Michigan State University pursue degrees across Michigan State University's undergraduate catalog. Branch-preferred fields (engineering, foreign language, nursing, computer science) often carry scholarship benefits. See Michigan State University's profile →
Training & summer
AFROTC cadets complete Field Training (FT) between sophomore and junior years at Maxwell AFB. Optional summer programs include Project GO language immersion and Operation Air Force shadowing.
Contact & location
Email: airforce@msu.edu
Phone: 517-355-2168
Site: https://afrotc.msu.edu
Address: East Lansing, MI 48824-1046
Recent news
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Photos
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Frequently asked questions
- Where is Detachment 400 Michigan State University located?
- Detachment 400 Michigan State University is hosted at Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI 48824-1046.
- What's the corps size at Detachment 400 Michigan State University?
- Detachment 400 Michigan State University has an approximate corps size of 100 cadets.
- Can students at other schools join Detachment 400 Michigan State University?
- Yes — Detachment 400 Michigan State University accepts cross-town and partner students from 2 other institutions, including Olivet College, Lansing Community College. See the cross-town partners table for distance and enrollment paths.
- Can I commission through Detachment 400 Michigan State University as any major?
- Air Force programs accept students from most academic majors at Michigan State University. Some scholarships and commissioning options (e.g., nursing, engineering, foreign-language) carry major requirements — confirm with the unit before declaring.
- When was Detachment 400 Michigan State University founded?
- Detachment 400 Michigan State University was established in 1947.
- How do I contact Detachment 400 Michigan State University?
- Reach the unit at airforce@msu.edu. Phone: 517-355-2168. Official site: https://afrotc.msu.edu.
Related programs
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