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Detachment 442 Saint Louis University · Billikens · 442
AFROTC at Saint Louis University commissions officers alongside Washington University in St. Louis cross-town students.
About this program
Run by cadre at Saint Louis University, Detachment 442 Saint Louis University is the AFROTC detachment for Saint Louis and surrounding Missouri. The program dates to 1947. Cadets and alumni use the unit's nickname, the Billikens, on guidons and class shirts.
Cross-town agreements bring Washington University in St. Louis, University of Missouri-St. Louis, Maryville University of Saint Louis, and Webster University into the detachment's footprint. Most cross-town cadets keep their primary academics at the partner school and travel to Saint Louis 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 nursing and health professions, with cadre encouraging technical degrees where the cadet's career interests fit.
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 442 Saint Louis University by commuting to Saint Louis University.
Cross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at Saint Louis University.
Cross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at Saint Louis University.
Cross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at Saint Louis University.
Cross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at Saint Louis University.
Cross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at Saint Louis University.
Cross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at Saint Louis University.
Cross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at Saint Louis University.
Contact & location
Located at: Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, MO 63103-2097
Air Force ROTC FAQ
Where is Detachment 442 Saint Louis University located?
Detachment 442 Saint Louis University is hosted at Saint Louis University in Saint Louis, Missouri. The detachment's training events, classes, and PT all run on the Saint Louis University campus.
Which colleges and universities can attend Detachment 442 Saint Louis University?
In addition to Saint Louis University, students enrolled at Washington University in St. Louis, University of Missouri-St. Louis, Maryville University of Saint Louis, Webster University, Lindenwood University, Fontbonne University, and Harris-Stowe State University can contract through Detachment 442 Saint Louis 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 442 Saint Louis 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 442 Saint Louis 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 442 Saint Louis 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 442 Saint Louis University?
Yes — Detachment 442 Saint Louis University accepts cross-town and partner students from 7 other institutions, including Fontbonne University, Harris-Stowe State University, Washington University in St. Louis, University of Missouri-St. Louis. See the cross-town options for distance and enrollment paths.
Can I commission through Detachment 442 Saint Louis University as any major?
Air Force programs accept students from most academic majors at Saint Louis University. Some scholarships and commissioning options (e.g., nursing, engineering, foreign-language) carry major requirements — confirm with the unit before declaring.
When was Detachment 442 Saint Louis University founded?
Detachment 442 Saint Louis University was established in 1947.
Interested in Detachment 442 Saint Louis University?
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