Air Force/Space Force ROTCDrill TeamColor GuardAir Force ROTC at Columbia University
Detachment 538 Columbia University in the City of New York · Lions · 538
AFROTC at Columbia University in the City of New York trains cadets for the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force in New York.
About this program
AFROTC at Columbia University in the City of New York runs as Detachment 538 Columbia University in the City of New York (Det 538), an officer-accessions detachment for the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force.
Partner schools — Barnard College, Fordham University, New York University, and City College of New York — 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 538 Columbia University in the City of New York ride a national scholarship — AFROTC HSSP Type 1 (full tuition) for the high-school awards, plus on-campus side-loads for college programmers. Columbia University in the City of New York 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 538 Columbia University in the City of New York by commuting to Columbia University.
Cross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at Columbia University in the City of New York.
Cross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at Columbia University in the City of New York.
Cross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at Columbia University in the City of New York.
Cross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at Columbia University in the City of New York.
Cross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at Columbia University in the City of New York.
Cross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at Columbia University in the City of New York.
Cross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at Columbia University in the City of New York.
Cross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at Columbia University in the City of New York.
Cross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at Columbia University in the City of New York.
Cross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at Columbia University in the City of New York.
Contact & location
Located at: Columbia University, New York, NY 10027
Air Force ROTC FAQ
Where is Detachment 538 Columbia University in the City of New York located?
Detachment 538 Columbia University in the City of New York is hosted at Columbia University in the City of New York in New York, New York. The detachment's training events, classes, and PT all run on the Columbia University in the City of New York campus.
Which colleges and universities can attend Detachment 538 Columbia University in the City of New York?
In addition to Columbia University in the City of New York, students enrolled at Barnard College, Fordham University, New York University, City College of New York, Manhattan College, Pace University, The Cooper Union, Hunter College, Yeshiva University, and The New School can contract through Detachment 538 Columbia University in the City of New York 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 538 Columbia University in the City of New York?
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 538 Columbia University in the City of New York?
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.
How big is the corps at Detachment 538 Columbia University in the City of New York?
Public corps-size figures aren't always published year-to-year; AFROTC detachments in this size class generally carry between several dozen and a few hundred contracted cadets depending on host enrollment.
Can students at other schools join Detachment 538 Columbia University in the City of New York?
Yes — Detachment 538 Columbia University in the City of New York accepts cross-town and partner students from 10 other institutions, including City College of New York, Pace University, New York University, The Cooper Union. See the cross-town options for distance and enrollment paths.
Can I commission through Detachment 538 Columbia University in the City of New York as any major?
Air Force programs accept students from most academic majors at Columbia University. Some scholarships and commissioning options (e.g., nursing, engineering, foreign-language) carry major requirements — confirm with the unit before declaring.
When was Detachment 538 Columbia University in the City of New York founded?
Detachment 538 Columbia University in the City of New York was established in 2013.
Interested in Detachment 538 Columbia University in the City of New York?
Send your details and the cadre can reach out about visits, scholarships, and next steps.
Not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Department of Defense or any branch of the U.S. military.