Air Force/Space Force ROTCDrill TeamColor GuardAir Force ROTC at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Detachment 880 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University · Hokies · 880
AFROTC Detachment 880 sits at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and serves cadets across Virginia.
About this program
For cadets at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, the path to a commission runs through Detachment 880 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. The unit goes by the Hokies. The detachment reports up through Air Force ROTC (Holm Center), and graduates pin on as second lieutenants in the Air Force or Space Force.
Beyond Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, the unit serves cadets from Radford University and New River Community College under cross-enrollment agreements. Field training, drill, and Military Science classes run at the host; partner-school cadets manage the commute.
Scholarship-wise, expect the full AFROTC menu: AFROTC HSSP Type 1 (full tuition), AFROTC HSSP Type 2 ($18k cap), AFROTC HSSP Type 7 (in-state), ICSP (in-college). Academically, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is known for mathematics and applied analytics alongside biology and pre-health programs, which gives cadets a meaningful range of degree paths under the same commissioning umbrella.
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 880 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University by commuting to Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
Cross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
Cross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
Contact & location
Located at: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0131
Air Force ROTC FAQ
Where is Detachment 880 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University located?
Detachment 880 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is hosted at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, Virginia. The detachment's training events, classes, and PT all run on the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University campus.
Is Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University a Senior Military College?
Yes — Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is one of the six Senior Military Colleges recognized in 10 U.S. Code §2111a. The corps of cadets is the dominant ROTC delivery model on campus, and cadets live in the corps rather than commuting in for ROTC events.
Which colleges and universities can attend Detachment 880 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University?
In addition to Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, students enrolled at Radford University and New River Community College can contract through Detachment 880 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State 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 880 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State 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.
Can students at other schools join Detachment 880 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University?
Yes — Detachment 880 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University accepts cross-town and partner students from 2 other institutions, including Radford University, New River Community College. See the cross-town options for distance and enrollment paths.
Can I commission through Detachment 880 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University as any major?
Air Force programs accept students from most academic majors at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Some scholarships and commissioning options (e.g., nursing, engineering, foreign-language) carry major requirements — confirm with the unit before declaring.
When was Detachment 880 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University founded?
Detachment 880 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University was established in 1947.
How do I contact Detachment 880 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University?
See the contact section for current cadre information.
Interested in Detachment 880 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University?
Send your details and the cadre can reach out about visits, scholarships, and next steps.
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