Actual Cost at USMMA

aooga15 said:
yes, I am sure. All the new health care requirements changed just a few years ago....
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That is incorrect. DS is a freshman at USCGA and has had all of his medical (and dental) expenses covered by the military insurance TRICARE. We were told we could take him off of our family policy.
 
grevar said:
That is incorrect. DS is a freshman at USCGA and has had all of his medical (and dental) expenses covered by the military insurance TRICARE. We were told we could take him off of our family policy.[/QUOTW

greavar, All this was explained to us from the superintendent during a Presidents Conference when addressing the new insurance demands a few years ago. Possibly CGA students didn't have the new insurance demands placed upon them yet? KP students are covered (by the school) while they are at school. Possilby the reason is that CGA doesn't travel like the USMMA student does. USMMA students go on two seperate sea trips and will travel to 15-20 countries by the time they graduate... and traveling to / from their ships is when outside ins. comes into play. Once on the ship then the ship coveres them. Also, should a student need to see a specialist outside of the Academy gates then parents insurance is needed.
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That $10,000 can be somewhat confusing as the Academy assumes some personal costs and travel costs. The "required" fees currently run about $375 per trimester. These fees are not paid when a midshipman is out to sea. Plebe year, a student is required to purchase a computer, some personal items, and some education items. As a convenience, these items can be purchased in packages. From memory, I believe the computer/printer/warranty package was just under $1,900, the personal kit around $375, and the education kit for engineers around $175. My DS purchased the computer package, the personal items kit and a couple extra sets of PT gear. He skipped the educational kit as he already owned most of what was required. His personal expenses are about $150/month for travel and leave in NYC or Great Neck, some food ordering, and Amazon/NEX orders. Some spend more on those items, some spend less.

While comparisons between Academies are not particularly helpful, I often hear it said that the others are free and KP has fees. Well, yes and no. The students at the other Academies are charged fees for similar items. However, they are not directly billed. Rather, it is is deducted from their monthly "salary". Thus, it feels free, but it is borne by the student - just indirectly. AT KP, the students earn approximately $1,000 a month while at sea and also may have paid internships during their time at KP. Apples and Oranges, but all fruit.

Insurance is different at KP than the other Academies. Unlike the other Academies, KP students are not covered by TriCare or any other government issued health/dental insurance coverage. KP maintains a medical/dental office on campus to attend to the necessary physicals required for sea duty, routine health and dental issues, and to provide assistance in obtaining off-site emergency care, if needed. All other costs are 100% the responsibility of the student and insurance courage is required. A student policy to meet those needs was about $1,500/year by Allen J. Flood. If a KP student is injured while playing a sport or at sea, worker's compensation kicks in and covers the resulting medical costs - up to worker's compensation limits. However, worker's compensation will NOT apply if it is determined that the injuries occurred outside of the approved performance of that student's duties as a sea cadet or a student athlete (i.e., they were doing something stupid and not approved).

These differences exist because KP is not under the Department of Defense or Homeland Security. Rather, it is under the Department of Transportation, more specifically MARAD. The midshipmen at KP are Navy Reservists but are NOT on active duty. In my experience, some who attend KP, or parents of those who attend, get very excised about KP being treated differently than the other Academies. I think that is a mistake. KP has a different mission that the other Academies, different opportunities for their graduates, and a different history of service and valor. Notice that I did not say less, or second class, or less vital - just different. It is the differences that drove my son to attend KP, despite other offers ("better" offers in the eyes of some). I, like most who get to know KP, see flaws, weaknesses, and problems - just like any organization or educational facility. I also see many things that are being done right. How the fees/costs/pay compares to other students at other Academies is not something to be concerned about. Instead, understand the costs involved and then be sure that KP offers you what you want upon graduation.
 
powderhorngreen said:
That $10,000 can be somewhat confusing as the Academy assumes some personal costs and travel costs. The "required" fees currently run about $375 per trimester. These fees are not paid when a midshipman is out to sea. Plebe year, a student is required to purchase a computer, some personal items, and some education items. As a convenience, these items can be purchased in packages. From memory, I believe the computer/printer/warranty package was just under $1,900, the personal kit around $375, and the education kit for engineers around $175. My DS purchased the computer package, the personal items kit and a couple extra sets of PT gear. He skipped the educational kit as he already owned most of what was required. His personal expenses are about $150/month for travel and leave in NYC or Great Neck, some food ordering, and Amazon/NEX orders. Some spend more on those items, some spend less.

While comparisons between Academies are not particularly helpful, I often hear it said that the others are free and KP has fees. Well, yes and no. The students at the other Academies are charged fees for similar items. However, they are not directly billed. Rather, it is is deducted from their monthly "salary". Thus, it feels free, but it is borne by the student - just indirectly. AT KP, the students earn approximately $1,000 a month while at sea and also may have paid internships during their time at KP. Apples and Oranges, but all fruit.

Insurance is different at KP than the other Academies. Unlike the other Academies, KP students are not covered by TriCare or any other government issued health/dental insurance coverage. KP maintains a medical/dental office on campus to attend to the necessary physicals required for sea duty, routine health and dental issues, and to provide assistance in obtaining off-site emergency care, if needed. All other costs are 100% the responsibility of the student and insurance courage is required. A student policy to meet those needs was about $1,500/year by Allen J. Flood. If a KP student is injured while playing a sport or at sea, worker's compensation kicks in and covers the resulting medical costs - up to worker's compensation limits. However, worker's compensation will NOT apply if it is determined that the injuries occurred outside of the approved performance of that student's duties as a sea cadet or a student athlete (i.e., they were doing something stupid and not approved).

These differences exist because KP is not under the Department of Defense or Homeland Security. Rather, it is under the Department of Transportation, more specifically MARAD. The midshipmen at KP are Navy Reservists but are NOT on active duty. In my experience, some who attend KP, or parents of those who attend, get very excised about KP being treated differently than the other Academies. I think that is a mistake. KP has a different mission that the other Academies, different opportunities for their graduates, and a different history of service and valor. Notice that I did not say less, or second class, or less vital - just different. It is the differences that drove my son to attend KP, despite other offers ("better" offers in the eyes of some). I, like most who get to know KP, see flaws, weaknesses, and problems - just like any organization or educational facility. I also see many things that are being done right. How the fees/costs/pay compares to other students at other Academies is not something to be concerned about. Instead, understand the costs involved and then be sure that KP offers you what you want upon graduation.
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Fantastic explanation! I am a big fan of KP (even though their lax team beat us this year) and the opportunities offered. I would have been equally as proud had my DS chosen that route. The post graduation opportunities are fantastic and what little differences in expenses incurred by students initially are more than made up in the salary potential post graduation.

For the record CGA and likely USNA, USMA and USAFA are covered by TriCare and this includes specialists outside the academy gates. DS was referred out to a specialist last summer and was covered by TriCare. He also remains covered during his summer assignment as any active duty person would
 
Grevar - my son helped beat Coast Guard in that lacrosse game. :) Welcome to the Landmark Conference and I look forward to another spirited game next season.
 
The USMMA is different from the other Academies, your DS/DD is eligible for student loans and remains your dependent through out their time there. You are required to provide health insurance. You basically have 2 options. 1.) If your DS/DD is covered on your plan and it is a plan that has physicians and hospitals in NY and around the world you are covered. 2.) If your plan is not something like Blue Cross/Blue Shield you will be required to buy a plan to cover your DS/DD. Fortunately my employer uses the local BC/BS provider and we were just required to compete an online form verifying our insurance. Other parents who had more regional insurers ie UPMC, Mayo Clinic, etc were forced to buy the plan endorsed by the USMMA
 
powderhorngreen said:
Grevar - my son helped beat Coast Guard in that lacrosse game. :) Welcome to the Landmark Conference and I look forward to another spirited game next season.
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My DS will be a member of USMMA class of 2019. He is a lacrosse player, and we attended the season opener against CGA. It was a great game and a nice showing for KP. My DS just played his own season opener and they won 17-7 a nice start to a very cold and wintery opening for spring sports. Looking forward to attending more USMMA lacrosse games.
 
Powderhorngreen, you've got it covered and well-put.

I think that the estimated expenses can look a bit shocking to anyone who is expecting their child to receive a "free" Government education (which is definitely the perception for the other schools), but the cost of fixed expenses and required gear is very easily covered with a Federal student loan or even a grant if you're eligible. We live 1,000 miles away from KP, have flown DS home for all the leaves and still have not spent the estimated amount for Plebe/4th Class year which is definitely the most expensive. The biggest costs upfront were the computer and NEX kit packages which came out to around $2K (plus all that white underwear and two pairs of running shoes).

I'm gearing up to buy things for Sea Year next and DS is on the Offshore Sailing Team, so he'll need his own (pricey) foul weather gear. However, I know that all of this is drop in the bucket compared to value of the education they receive and their career opportunities when they graduate. I am just beyond grateful for my son to be at KP and he feels the same way!
 
I am very appreciative for all the information in this thread. Just to simplify, below is a total annual summary for the expenses for all 4 years for class of 2017

This is what the academy will bill you for:2017
Outgoing laundry service $501
Tailor/Seamstress $255
Barber/Hairdresser $276
Total- Billed Costs $1,032

These are the out of pocket expanses that vary slightly
Plebe Laptop Package $2,024
Plebe Kit and Educational Kit $505
TWIC and License Fees $275
Estimated Origination and Default Fee $83
Estimated Transportation $2,220
Estimated Personal Expenses $1,150
Estimated General Supplies $990
Health Insurance (If Required) $1,489
Total- Unbilled Costs $8,736

Cost of Attendance 2017
Billed Costs $1,032
Unbilled Costs $8,736
Total- Cost of Attendance $9,768
 
Is that $10,000 per year or $10,000 for the total of 4 years?
 
Results will vary. Minimum spend yr 1:
$2k for laptop
$500 plebe kit
$1k billed

Min spend yrs 2, 3 and 4: $1k billed each yr. but you aren't billed for time at sea, so cut off $1k over this 3 yr period (billed by trimesters). Gov.pay is tool of preference to pay but it has issues. Check is safest as long as DS and DD tell you that an invoice was generated.

Minimum all on for the 4 yrs: $5,500

Tons of variation above that including sea year, travel home, compliant laptop independent of USMMA, warranty package, back up drives, etc....

BH
 
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