Applicants to the AFIT Graduate School of Engineering and Management may pursue admission through sponsored opportunities or under a non-sponsored status. Sponsored (i.e. fully funded, full-time), resident graduate education quotas are determined by service-wide needs and selected by their sponsoring agency or Air Force Personnel Command (AFPC) via the Air Force Education Requirements Board (AFERB) or other external selection authorities. Applicants pursuing selection through a sponsorship program must apply to AFIT for an academic eligibility review to secure a Letter of Academic Eligibility (LOAE) AND complete the application or call for nomination procedures applicable to the sponsorship opportunity being pursued.
Popular sponsorship opportunities include but are not limited to:
AAD/SPEED: As a part of the force development construct, Advanced Academic Degree/Special Experience Exchange Duty (AAD/SPEED programs provide targeted developmental education and broadening developmental assignments for Air and Space Force Officers in eligible career fields. AFPC and career field Force Development Teams (FDTs) select officers for these sponsored opportunities through a centralized application and vectoring process based on service needs. Additional information can be located in MyFSS by searching for "AAD/SPEED".
Enlisted-to-AFIT: The Enlisted-to-AFIT program offers enlisted personnel in the Air and Space Force the opportunity to pursue a master's degree at AFIT, enhancing technical skills and combat capabilities across various career fields. Prospective students must meet service eligibility standards and remain enlisted while completing their degree. Candidates should coordinate with their supervisor, chain of command, and Career Field Managers (CFMs) to complete the nomination procedures. Additional information can be located in MyFSS under the Active Duty: Enlisted Force Development home page.
Civilian Developmental Education (CDE): The Air Force Civilian Developmental Education program is a professional development opportunity available to DAF civilians. The competitive program provides selected employees with the opportunity to pursue an advanced academic degree. AFIT is one of the institutions to which civilian Air Force employees selected by AFPC may attend. Additional information can be located in MyFSS by searching "Civilian Talent Development".
