Air Force/Space Force ROTCVerifiedDrill TeamColor GuardAir Force ROTC at University of Kansas
Detachment 280 University of Kansas · Flying Jayhawks · 280
AFROTC in Lawrence, KS runs out of University of Kansas as the Detachment 280 University of Kansas.
About this program
The Air Force ROTC program at the University of Kansas, Detachment 280, is known as the Flying Jayhawks. It is a detachment of more than 50 cadets working toward commissions in the Air Force and Space Force. Cadets are full-time students first, balancing their degrees with a program built around Air and Space Studies classes, a Leadership Laboratory, and Physical Training.
One of the detachment's strengths is its wide cross-town network. In addition to KU students, the Flying Jayhawks draw cadets from ten partner schools across the region, including Baker University, Benedictine College, Donnelly College, Haskell Indian Nations University, Johnson County Community College, MidAmerica Nazarene University, Ottawa University, Park University, the University of Saint Mary, and Washburn University.
That mix lets students at many nearby colleges pursue an Air or Space Force commission through a single, established detachment while completing their undergraduate studies.
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 280 University of Kansas by commuting to University of Kansas.
Cross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at University of Kansas.
Cross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at University of Kansas.
Cross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at University of Kansas.
Cross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at University of Kansas.
Cross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at University of Kansas.
Cross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at University of Kansas.
Cross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at University of Kansas.
Cross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at University of Kansas.
Cross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at University of Kansas.
Contact & location
Email: afrotc@ku.edu
Phone: 785-864-1212
Site: https://afrotc.ku.edu
Located at: University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045
Air Force ROTC FAQ
Where is Detachment 280 University of Kansas located?
Detachment 280 University of Kansas is hosted at University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas. The detachment's training events, classes, and PT all run on the University of Kansas campus.
Which colleges and universities can attend Detachment 280 University of Kansas?
In addition to University of Kansas, students enrolled at Baker University, Benedictine College, Donnelly College, Haskell Indian Nations University, Johnson County Community College, MidAmerica Nazarene University, Ottawa University, Washburn University, and Kansas City Kansas Community College can contract through Detachment 280 University of Kansas 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 280 University of Kansas?
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 280 University of Kansas?
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 280 University of Kansas?
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.
What's the commissioning path through Detachment 280 University of Kansas?
Cadets who complete the four-year AFROTC curriculum and meet medical, fitness, and academic standards commission as officers in the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force. The detachment reports through Air Force ROTC (Holm Center).
What does the weekly AFROTC experience include at the University of Kansas?
Cadets participate in Air and Space Studies classes, a Leadership Laboratory, and Physical Training.
What is the University of Kansas detachment nicknamed, and how big is it?
Detachment 280 is known as the Flying Jayhawks and is made up of more than 50 cadets drawn from KU and its cross-town partner schools.
Interested in Detachment 280 University of Kansas?
Send your details and the cadre can reach out about visits, scholarships, and next steps.
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