Air Force/Space Force ROTCDrill TeamColor GuardAir Force ROTC at Syracuse University
Detachment 535C Syracuse University · Orange · 535C
AFROTC at Syracuse University contracts cadets on national scholarships into the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force.
About this program
Detachment 535C Syracuse University is Syracuse University's officer-accessions program for the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force. It has commissioned officers from this campus continuously since 1947.
Detachment 535C Syracuse University runs as a consortium for cadets from Le Moyne College, Onondaga Community College, and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry as well as Syracuse University. Cross-town students typically retain their primary residency and academics at the home campus and route only military-side coursework through the host.
Cadets pursue HSSP Type 1, Type 2, or Type 7 awards as high-school seniors and the In-College Scholarship Program once they're contracted. Tech and rated-pilot slots run through the same detachment board cycle. Syracuse University cadets pursue degrees across a wide spectrum, with biology and pre-health programs and nursing and health professions drawing strong cohorts.
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 535C Syracuse University by commuting to Syracuse University.
Cross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at Syracuse University.
Cross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at Syracuse University.
Cross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at Syracuse University.
Contact & location
Located at: Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244
Air Force ROTC FAQ
Where is Detachment 535C Syracuse University located?
Detachment 535C Syracuse University is hosted at Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York. The detachment's training events, classes, and PT all run on the Syracuse University campus.
Which colleges and universities can attend Detachment 535C Syracuse University?
In addition to Syracuse University, students enrolled at Le Moyne College, Onondaga Community College, and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry can contract through Detachment 535C Syracuse 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 535C Syracuse 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 535C Syracuse 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.
Can students at other schools join Detachment 535C Syracuse University?
Yes — Detachment 535C Syracuse University accepts cross-town and partner students from 3 other institutions, including SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Le Moyne College, Onondaga Community College. See the cross-town options for distance and enrollment paths.
Can I commission through Detachment 535C Syracuse University as any major?
Air Force programs accept students from most academic majors at Syracuse University. Some scholarships and commissioning options (e.g., nursing, engineering, foreign-language) carry major requirements — confirm with the unit before declaring.
When was Detachment 535C Syracuse University founded?
Detachment 535C Syracuse University was established in 1947.
How do I contact Detachment 535C Syracuse University?
See the contact section for current cadre information.
Interested in Detachment 535C Syracuse University?
Send your details and the cadre can reach out about visits, scholarships, and next steps.
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