Air Force/Space Force ROTCDrill TeamColor GuardAir Force ROTC at California University of Pennsylvania
Detachment 720 University of Pennsylvania · Quakers · 720
AFROTC at California University of Pennsylvania trains cadets for the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force in Pennsylvania.
About this program
AFROTC at California University of Pennsylvania runs as Detachment 720 University of Pennsylvania (Det 720), an officer-accessions detachment for the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force.
Partner schools — Drexel University, Temple University, Saint Joseph's University, and La Salle University — round out the corps. The detachment runs one training schedule for the consortium, so a cross-town cadet sees the same cadre and contracting boards as a host-school student.
Most contracted cadets at Detachment 720 University of Pennsylvania ride a national scholarship — AFROTC HSSP Type 1 (full tuition) for the high-school awards, plus on-campus side-loads for college programmers. California University of Pennsylvania is academically strong in business and political science, which is well-aligned with the services' branching priorities.
Scholarships available here
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
Cross-town & partner schools served
Students at these schools can commission through Detachment 720 University of Pennsylvania by commuting to California University of Pennsylvania.
Cross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at University of Pennsylvania.
Cross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at University of Pennsylvania.
Cross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at University of Pennsylvania.
Cross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at University of Pennsylvania.
Cross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at University of Pennsylvania.
Cross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at University of Pennsylvania.
Cross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at University of Pennsylvania.
Cross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at University of Pennsylvania.
Cross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at University of Pennsylvania.
Cross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at University of Pennsylvania.
Cross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at University of Pennsylvania.
Cross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at University of Pennsylvania.
Cross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at University of Pennsylvania.
Contact & location
Located at: California University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6303
Air Force ROTC FAQ
Where is Detachment 720 University of Pennsylvania located?
Detachment 720 University of Pennsylvania is hosted at California University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The detachment's training events, classes, and PT all run on the California University of Pennsylvania campus.
Which colleges and universities can attend Detachment 720 University of Pennsylvania?
In addition to California University of Pennsylvania, students enrolled at Drexel University, Temple University, Saint Joseph's University, La Salle University, Villanova University, Bryn Mawr College, Haverford College, Swarthmore College, Rosemont College, Cabrini University, Philadelphia University, Community College of Philadelphia, and Arcadia University can contract through Detachment 720 University of Pennsylvania via cross-town agreements. Cross-town cadets keep their primary academics at the partner school and travel to the host for ROTC-side coursework.
What scholarships are available through Detachment 720 University of Pennsylvania?
AFROTC cadets at this detachment compete for AFROTC HSSP Type 1 (full tuition), AFROTC HSSP Type 2 ($18k cap), AFROTC HSSP Type 7 (in-state), ICSP (in-college). National awards apply out of high school; on-campus side-loads kick in once a cadet is enrolled and contracted.
What's the AFROTC summer training for cadets at Detachment 720 University of Pennsylvania?
Between sophomore and junior year, cadets compete for slots at AFROTC Field Training at Maxwell AFB — the gate that converts a GMC cadet into a POC contracted cadet.
Can students at other schools join Detachment 720 University of Pennsylvania?
Yes — Detachment 720 University of Pennsylvania accepts cross-town and partner students from 13 other institutions, including Cabrini University, Philadelphia University, Drexel University, Community College of Philadelphia. See the cross-town options for distance and enrollment paths.
Can I commission through Detachment 720 University of Pennsylvania as any major?
Air Force programs accept students from most academic majors at California University of Pennsylvania. Some scholarships and commissioning options (e.g., nursing, engineering, foreign-language) carry major requirements — confirm with the unit before declaring.
When was Detachment 720 University of Pennsylvania founded?
Detachment 720 University of Pennsylvania was established in 1947.
How do I contact Detachment 720 University of Pennsylvania?
See the contact section for current cadre information.
Interested in Detachment 720 University of Pennsylvania?
Send your details and the cadre can reach out about visits, scholarships, and next steps.
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