Air Force/Space Force ROTCDrill TeamColor GuardAir Force ROTC at Rice University
Detachment 835 Rice University · Owls · 835
Since 1947, Detachment 835 Rice University has run AFROTC at Rice University in Texas.
About this program
Detachment 835 Rice University is the AFROTC detachment hosted at Rice University in Texas. Cadre have commissioned U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force officers from this campus since 1947.
The detachment pulls cadets from University of Houston, University of St. Thomas, Texas Southern University, and Houston Baptist University alongside its host enrollment. GMC and POC coursework is taught in the host classrooms; cross-town cadets ride consortium shuttles or self-commute to PT and labs.
Cadets can pursue AFROTC HSSP Type 1 (full tuition) or, once on contract, AFROTC HSSP Type 2 ($18k cap). Rice University brings academic depth in computer science and cybersecurity, and the unit aligns major selection with branch-board competitiveness.
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 835 Rice University by commuting to Rice University.
Cross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at Rice University.
Cross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at Rice University.
Cross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at Rice University.
Cross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at Rice University.
Cross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at Rice University.
Cross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at Rice University.
Cross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at Rice University.
Contact & location
Located at: Rice University, Houston, TX 77005-1827
Air Force ROTC FAQ
Where is Detachment 835 Rice University located?
Detachment 835 Rice University is hosted at Rice University in Texas. The detachment's training events, classes, and PT all run on the Rice University campus.
Which colleges and universities can attend Detachment 835 Rice University?
In addition to Rice University, students enrolled at University of Houston, University of St. Thomas, Texas Southern University, Houston Baptist University, Houston Community College, Lone Star College, and San Jacinto College can contract through Detachment 835 Rice 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 835 Rice 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 835 Rice 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 835 Rice 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.
Can students at other schools join Detachment 835 Rice University?
Yes — Detachment 835 Rice University accepts cross-town and partner students from 7 other institutions, including Houston Baptist University, Houston Community College, San Jacinto College, University of St. Thomas. See the cross-town options for distance and enrollment paths.
Can I commission through Detachment 835 Rice University as any major?
Air Force programs accept students from most academic majors at Rice University. Some scholarships and commissioning options (e.g., nursing, engineering, foreign-language) carry major requirements — confirm with the unit before declaring.
When was Detachment 835 Rice University founded?
Detachment 835 Rice University was established in 1947.
Interested in Detachment 835 Rice University?
Send your details and the cadre can reach out about visits, scholarships, and next steps.
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