iUSNA fee
- Thread starter faylum
- Start date
Congratulations to you and your soon to be plebe.
As they say, you could drop him off at Gate 1 in his skivies and the NA would take care of the rest. No fees to pay. No money necessary - we put some on a Yard Card for incidentals but not required. Money is the last thing you should be concerned with; first: spending time with him between now and I-day.
As they say, you could drop him off at Gate 1 in his skivies and the NA would take care of the rest. No fees to pay. No money necessary - we put some on a Yard Card for incidentals but not required. Money is the last thing you should be concerned with; first: spending time with him between now and I-day.
supportivemom
5-Year Member
- Joined
- Mar 31, 2010
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- 54
Used to be an upfront computer fee due before I day. It is now taken out of their pay instead. If he's not already comfortable with Atm's & debit cards, credit cards, now's the time to let him learn. Most mids establish a USAA account and have their checks direct deposited. Helps if you open it up ahead of time. They have no time as plebes to do it themselves. USAA branches in Annapolis are swamped with mids trying to set one up on the day before I day, so available in your area do it early. We gave credit cards to our kids that are linked to us. We get the bills, they let us know if they want to make a big purchase. That way they can pay for all their mall movie trips, etc and we don't have to keep putting money in accounts or on yard card. Works for us, others use different system. They also still have a checking account at a national bank that I can add money to easily anytime.
usna1985
15-Year Member
- Joined
- Jun 9, 2006
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- 7,853
In the past, USNA used to require plebes to make an initial payment. That requirement was discontinued several years ago. All fees, etc. now come out of the mid's pay over the course of his/her four years.
Obviously, you're free to provide your mid whatever funds you want. In my day, several banks -- including USAA and NFCU -- made it easy to set up accounts on I-Day. Yeah, there was no time, but they just shoved a form in front of us and said to sign. We did.
As noted, if your mid shows up on I-Day with his medical records and permit to report, he/she will be fine.
Obviously, you're free to provide your mid whatever funds you want. In my day, several banks -- including USAA and NFCU -- made it easy to set up accounts on I-Day. Yeah, there was no time, but they just shoved a form in front of us and said to sign. We did.
As noted, if your mid shows up on I-Day with his medical records and permit to report, he/she will be fine.
Last year, there was an application in the Permit to Report package for incoming Midshipmen to join the Navy Federal Credit Union which included the option to have their pay directly deposited to the account. There is a branch on the Yard which is extremely convenient.
The one expense I do remember having to pay for is for our Mid's printer. They are told the make/model, and there are stacks of them piled up in the Mid Store during PPW, which is when we bought it. IIRC, it includes at least one printer cartridge, but those are also available at the Mid Store (no tax on purchases there). I think the printer was about $100.
I'm a little fuzzy on the Yard Card, but I think you can buy one online starting in early August. You will need your Plebe's Alpha code (their USNA identifier that is unique to them for their duration at USNA), but they will have had to memorize it starting on I-Day, so all you have to do is ask them! Once you load the card with $$, it can be used at the Mid Store, Drydock (restaurant/snack bar on the Yard), and the vending machines throughout the Yard. It is very similar to the type of card that students at civilian colleges use to pay for food, etc.
The one expense I do remember having to pay for is for our Mid's printer. They are told the make/model, and there are stacks of them piled up in the Mid Store during PPW, which is when we bought it. IIRC, it includes at least one printer cartridge, but those are also available at the Mid Store (no tax on purchases there). I think the printer was about $100.
I'm a little fuzzy on the Yard Card, but I think you can buy one online starting in early August. You will need your Plebe's Alpha code (their USNA identifier that is unique to them for their duration at USNA), but they will have had to memorize it starting on I-Day, so all you have to do is ask them! Once you load the card with $$, it can be used at the Mid Store, Drydock (restaurant/snack bar on the Yard), and the vending machines throughout the Yard. It is very similar to the type of card that students at civilian colleges use to pay for food, etc.
proudfather
5-Year Member
- Joined
- Feb 23, 2011
- Messages
- 3
hey supportivmom or anyone else,
During plebe year, how much do they end up spending on a monthly basis that parents can provide directly to their bank accounts?
During plebe year, how much do they end up spending on a monthly basis that parents can provide directly to their bank accounts?
Not sure how typical my plebe (son) is, but he used between $250 and 300 on the Yard Card first semester. However, much of that went to the purchase of the usual school supplies (notebooks, printer paper, pens, pencils, etc.), and those things do add up, especially when they are starting from scratch. A lot depends on how carried away they get when they are turned loose in the Mid Store. His expenses this semester have been much less.
He uses a Navy Federal VISA for his purchases in Annapolis (food and movie theater tickets). The credit card is linked to his savings account, so when the credit card bill is due, the money is automatically transferred from his NFCU savings. On average, he appears to spend in the $100-125 range every month on his VISA, which pretty much wipes out his monthly net pay!
He uses a Navy Federal VISA for his purchases in Annapolis (food and movie theater tickets). The credit card is linked to his savings account, so when the credit card bill is due, the money is automatically transferred from his NFCU savings. On average, he appears to spend in the $100-125 range every month on his VISA, which pretty much wipes out his monthly net pay!
AF6872
15-Year Member
- Joined
- Mar 4, 2007
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- 4,841
You can deposit any amount you like into their account on Yard Card and/or NFCU. They don't get a lot of time to spend it but Mid Store first semester can be a big expense (Not only for parents). Some not formal Club Sports have to buy their own uniforms and kick in for food and travel. After first semester it slows down a lot. Remembering back at the Mid Store when we were digging for the card at the register and told Mid to use her's to speed up the line. Answer: Why Mine! It goes on my account and that defeats the whole purpose of your visit!!!