Air Force/Space Force ROTCDrill TeamColor GuardAir Force ROTC at Mississippi State University
Detachment 430 Mississippi State University · Bears · 430
AFROTC at Mississippi State University commissions officers alongside Mississippi University for Women cross-town students.
About this program
Air Force ROTC Detachment 425 has been part of Mississippi State University for roughly 75 years, a long-standing program at the land-grant institution that trains cadets to commission as officers in the U.S. Air Force and Space Force.
The detachment is home to active service organizations that have earned national recognition: its Arnold Air Society and Silver Wings chapters received the Ciccoli Joint Operations Award for excellence in community service at CHEESECON, the organizations' national conclave.
Cadets also pursue standout summer opportunities. In 2024, for example, one cadet served as a Cadet Training Assistant at the U.S. Air Force Academy Prep School's Basic Military Training, working alongside senior NCOs to build leadership and training-management skills — a firsthand look at Academy life that sets the experience apart.
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 430 Mississippi State University by commuting to Mississippi State University.
Cross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at Mississippi State University.
Cross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at Mississippi State University.
Contact & location
Email: afrotc@afrotc.msstate.edu
Phone: 662-325-3810
Site: https://afrotc.msstate.edu
Located at: Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS 39762
Air Force ROTC FAQ
Where is Detachment 430 Mississippi State University located?
Detachment 430 Mississippi State University is hosted at Mississippi State University in Starkville, Mississippi. The detachment's training events, classes, and PT all run on the Mississippi State University campus.
Which colleges and universities can attend Detachment 430 Mississippi State University?
In addition to Mississippi State University, students enrolled at Mississippi University for Women and East Mississippi Community College can contract through Detachment 430 Mississippi State University 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 430 Mississippi State University?
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 430 Mississippi State University?
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 430 Mississippi State University?
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.
Has Mississippi State's Air Force ROTC been recognized nationally?
Yes. Its Arnold Air Society and Silver Wings chapters received the Ciccoli Joint Operations Award for community service at CHEESECON, the organizations' national conclave.
How long has Air Force ROTC been at Mississippi State?
The detachment has been part of Mississippi State University for about 75 years, a long-standing program at the land-grant institution.
Can students at other schools join Detachment 430 Mississippi State University?
Yes — Detachment 430 Mississippi State University accepts cross-town and partner students from 2 other institutions, including Mississippi University for Women, East Mississippi Community College. See the cross-town options for distance and enrollment paths.
Interested in Detachment 430 Mississippi State University?
Send your details and the cadre can reach out about visits, scholarships, and next steps.
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