The candidates for the academy must be at least 17 and not have passed their 23rd birthday on July 1 of the year for which they enter the academy, must be a U.S. citizen, unmarried, have no dependents, be of good moral character, and be able to meet the mental and physical requirements. International students authorized admission are exempt from the U.S. citizenship requirement. Upon completion of the four-year program, leading to a bachelor of science degree, a cadet who meets the qualifications is commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. The U.S. Coast Guard Academy is the only one of the four armed forces service academies that offers appointments based solely on the basis of an annual nationwide competition, with no congressional appointments or geographical quotas. Competition is open to all unmarried U.S. citizens with no dependents who have reached their 17th but not their 22nd birthday by July 1 of the entering year.
Cadets receive a full scholarship including room and board.
Upon graduation, there is a 5-year commitment to serve as a commissioned Coast Guard officer, the first two years of which are on a Coast Guard cutter. The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, situated at Kings Point, N.Y., on the north shore of Long Island, was dedicated Sept. 30, 1943. It is maintained by the Department of Transportation under direction of the Maritime Administration. The academy has an enrollment of approximately 950 men and women who represent every state, D.C., the Canal Zone, Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, and the Virgin Islands. Special legislation permits the appointment of midshipmen from the Latin American republics and nations other than the United States.