The Federal Government pays the majority of the costs associated with enrollment at USMMA. Midshipmen receive tuition, room and board, uniforms, and textbooks at no cost. Basic medical and dental care are provided through the Academy’s Office of Health Services. Midshipmen are responsible for all other costs associated with attendance at USMMA. It is the goal of the Office of Financial Aid to ensure that all students who are accepted to the Academy are able to attend, regardless of financial need.
Cost of Attendance
The Cost of Attendance (COA) is an estimate of costs that a student may incur while attending USMMA. It includes Midshipman Fees, an Academy-approved computer package, Plebe and Educational Kits, general supplies, miscellaneous expenses, and transportation costs for liberty and leave periods. With the exception of Midshipman Fees, these expenses are not payable directly to USMMA, but are used in calculations of financial aid eligibility. More information on USMMA’s COA is available on the website at www.usmma.edu.
Expenses
Plebe Candidates must purchase and/or bring a personal computer with Academy-approved specifications, an electronic scientific hand-held calculator with graphics display, Plebe and Educational Kits, a valid Passport, and a Transportation Workers Identification Credential (TWIC). Computers meeting required specifications and optional peripherals are available through USMMA’s Navy Exchange (NEX), as are the Plebe and Educational Kits. Details on specifications and ordering information for all required supplies will be furnished after appointment with reporting instructions in the Logging In book.
Health Insurance
Plebe Candidates and Midshipmen must have a valid health insurance policy that meets specific USMMA requirements to cover services that are not provided on campus. Midshipmen must present proof of health insurance meeting the required specifications or must purchase the Student Health Insurance Policy (SHIP).
Midshipman Fees
Midshipmen are responsible for the payment of Midshipman Fees for personal services, which include tailor/seamstress and wash-and-fold laundry services. Midshipman Fees are charged up front for the entire academic year. Plebe Candidates who fail to pay the required fees before the start of Indoctrination will be denied enrollment.
For returning Midshipmen, the entire academic year’s Midshipman Fees are due on or before the first day of regular classes for the academic year, or the first day of classes for the first term in residence in the academic year. Failure to pay the required fees may result in suspension and/or disenrollment from the Academy.
Estimated Midshipman Fees for the entire four-year program, based on the fees for the 2023-2024 Academic Year, are:
Plebe Class (Freshman): $945
Third Class (Sophomore): $630
Second Class (Junior): $315 - $630
First Class (Senior): $630 - $945
Note: Midshipman Fees will vary from year to year and are dependent on the number of terms in residence at USMMA, projected enrollment, and contract costs for Midshipman personal services. The above figures are estimates provided for informational purposes only.
Payment Deadlines
Payment can be made via credit card, ACH bank draft, or PayPal payment online at www.pay.gov or by check made payable to the United States Merchant Marine Academy, mailed to:
Office of Academy Financial Management
U. S. Merchant Marine Academy
300 Steamboat Road
Kings Point, New York 11024
Refunds: Indoctrination Period
A Plebe Candidate who declines his or her appointment after paying Midshipman Fees, but before the start of Indoctrination, will receive a full refund of those fees. A Plebe Candidate who is separated during the Indoctrination period will receive a refund for the second and third terms in the academic year. Midshipman Fees are not refundable for any portion of a term where a Midshipman is in residence at USMMA.
Refunds: Regular Academic Year
Plebe Candidates and Midshipmen separated during a term are not eligible for a refund of Midshipman Fees for that term. If a Midshipman is in residence for any portion of a term, he or she is responsible for the term’s fees. Midshipmen who are waiting for an academic or other review board decision will be charged Midshipman Fees for that term while they remain enrolled in on campus courses. Midshipmen who are disenrolled or set back to a later term will receive a refund only for future terms in the academic year. Refunds for future term Midshipman Fees will be refunded to the Midshipman’s bank account on file in the Academy Office of Financial Management. It is the responsibility of the Midshipman to ensure bank account information is always up to date to avoid delays in receiving refunds.
Banking Facilities
While there are many banking institutions in the town of Great Neck, most Midshipmen find it more convenient to use the Navy Federal Credit Union, which is a banking facility located on the Academy campus. The Credit Union accommodates Midshipmen by permitting them to open checking or savings accounts, which do not require a minimum balance. There is a Credit Union ATM on campus so that Midshipmen will have easy access to funds.
Pay
Midshipmen, while assigned to sea for the shipboard training portion of the curriculum, are provided with quarters, meals and medical care. While on sea duty, they are employees of the shipping company owning the vessel to which they are assigned, and may be paid wages of $1,273.20 per month (as of June 15, 2023), less certain minor expenses varying with each company. Midshipmen do not receive wages while in residence at the Academy. Spending money and transportation costs during liberty and leave periods are at the expense of the Midshipman. Losses incurred by the Academy due to such acts as willful damage, breakage or mischief may be charged directly to the Midshipman responsible for the damage.
Official Travel
Midshipmen are reimbursed for official travel at the Federal Government-authorized mileage rate, or at the cost of traveling by common carrier at the government rate, whichever is less.
Federal Student Aid
USMMA participates in the Federal Student Aid (FSA) programs for Pell Grants and Direct Loans (also known as Title IV Financial Aid). Plebe Candidates and returning Midshipmen who are interested in receiving financial aid are urged to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) starting October 1st each year. The FAFSA will determine financial need and consequently a student’s eligibility for Pell Grant and Subsidized Direct Loan awards. Unsubsidized Direct Loan awards are available to qualified students who do not demonstrate financial need. The total of all Federal Student Aid awards cannot exceed the Midshipman’s Cost of Attendance. More information on financial aid is available at www.usmma.edu.
Satisfactory Academic Progress
Midshipmen receiving Federal Student Aid funds must adhere to the academic standards as outlined in the USMMA Academic Policies Handbook. Midshipmen with a deficiency status must adhere to the Academic Review Board’s determination and meet all terms and conditions in order to retain eligibility for Title IV financial aid. At no time shall a Title IV recipient’s ratio of attempted credits to earned credits fall below 67%.
Return of Title IV Financial Aid
The Office of Financial Aid is required by Federal statute to recalculate Federal Student Aid (Title IV financial aid) eligibility for Midshipmen who withdraw, are dismissed, or take a leave of absence prior to completing 60% of a term. The recalculation is based on the percentage of aid earned, which is the number of days completed up to the last date of attendance divided by the total days in the term. Any break of five days or more is not counted as part of the days in the term. If a student earned less aid than was disbursed, the student may be required to return a portion of the funds, resulting in a debt to the Academy or an overpayment to the U.S. Department of Education. If a student earned more aid than was disbursed, USMMA would calculate eligibility for a post-withdrawal disbursement. Students are strongly encouraged to contact the Office of Financial Aid for more information prior to a change in enrollment status.
In the event that a return of Title IV funds is required, refunds are allocated in the following order:
- Unsubsidized Direct Loan
- Subsidized Direct Loan
- Direct PLUS Loan (Parent PLUS)
- Federal Pell Grant
The student must return the amount of Title IV funds for which he or she is responsible no later than 45 days after the institution determined that the student withdrew.
Other Financial Aid
USMMA does not offer institutional aid, but welcomes and encourages outside scholarships and grants to offset a Midshipman’s Cost of Attendance. Scholarship award checks should be sent to the Office of Financial Aid and made payable to United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA). Contact the Office of Financial Aid for information regarding the use of Veterans Benefits. Questions about payments from 529 College Savings Plans should be directed to the Office of Academy Financial Management.
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