Air Force/Space Force ROTCDrill TeamColor GuardAir Force ROTC at University of Central Arkansas
Detachment 028B University of Central Arkansas · Bears · 028B
The Bears has commissioned U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force officers from University of Central Arkansas since 1972.
About this program
Headquartered on the University of Central Arkansas campus in Arkansas, Detachment 028B University of Central Arkansas is the local accession point into the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force. Founded in 1972, the unit has graduated officers across every major service era since.
Sister-school participation is a real piece of this detachment. Cadets from Hendrix College, University of Arkansas, and Arkansas Tech University contract through Detachment 028B University of Central Arkansas and travel to University of Central Arkansas for the military-side requirements while keeping their core degree at the partner.
On the scholarship side: AFROTC HSSP Type 1 (full tuition), AFROTC HSSP Type 2 ($18k cap), AFROTC HSSP Type 7 (in-state) are all live channels at Detachment 028B University of Central Arkansas. Academically, University of Central Arkansas is well-regarded for international affairs and language study — a track that pairs well with ROTC's emphasis on technical and leadership majors.
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 028B University of Central Arkansas by commuting to University of Central Arkansas.
Cross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at University of Central Arkansas.
Cross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at University of Central Arkansas.
Cross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at University of Central Arkansas.
Contact & location
Located at: University of Central Arkansas, Conway, AR 72035-0001
Air Force ROTC FAQ
Where is Detachment 028B University of Central Arkansas located?
Detachment 028B University of Central Arkansas is hosted at University of Central Arkansas in Arkansas. The detachment's training events, classes, and PT all run on the University of Central Arkansas campus.
Which colleges and universities can attend Detachment 028B University of Central Arkansas?
In addition to University of Central Arkansas, students enrolled at Hendrix College, University of Arkansas, and Arkansas Tech University can contract through Detachment 028B University of Central Arkansas 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 028B University of Central Arkansas?
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 028B University of Central Arkansas?
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 028B University of Central Arkansas?
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 028B University of Central Arkansas?
Yes — Detachment 028B University of Central Arkansas accepts cross-town and partner students from 3 other institutions, including Hendrix College, Arkansas Tech University, University of Arkansas. See the cross-town options for distance and enrollment paths.
Can I commission through Detachment 028B University of Central Arkansas as any major?
Air Force programs accept students from most academic majors at University of Central Arkansas. Some scholarships and commissioning options (e.g., nursing, engineering, foreign-language) carry major requirements — confirm with the unit before declaring.
When was Detachment 028B University of Central Arkansas founded?
Detachment 028B University of Central Arkansas was established in 1972.
Interested in Detachment 028B University of Central Arkansas?
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