Does the CGA issue LOA's to applicants waiting for Waivers?

@alaska66, I am not criticizing any of the SA, I was just trying to relate that my sons' have never had more than 20 people in their "Class" in middle or high school and that being athletes and nerds they have not had that usual HS opportunity to "let loose a little" , and instead are either practicing or studying. It may be good for them to get a "real life experience" in College before having to fend for themselves in the real world. Both of them have SA's as their dreams, but as parents, we need to stay in the background let them decide and be available, just in case they don't get their dreams...:)
If this is truly their dream, if not selected the first time many reapply next year and spend a year at a local college or attend a military junior college with a SAP program. They will get that “college life” experience at a place like MMI who has an excellent record of cadets getting appointments.
 
@alaskan, it is truly their dream. That being said, I don't know that either would be willing to forfeit 90 college credits to start over. They will have 60 college credits upon HS graduation, and then another 30 from a year in "Prep" school. It is their choice, and I guess we will all have to see whether or not they meet the requirements and are selected. Then it is up to them.
 
@alaskan, it is truly their dream. That being said, I don't know that either would be willing to forfeit 90 college credits to start over. They will have 60 college credits upon HS graduation, and then another 30 from a year in "Prep" school. It is their choice, and I guess we will all have to see whether or not they meet the requirements and are selected. Then it is up to them.
The chemistry class DS took at the local college during high school did not compare to the course he took at MMI.
@alaska66, Thanks for good input. Our DS was told almost all the remaining appointments will be out beginning in early April, I was hoping someone would tell me that as the Admissions Committee approved appointments that maybe they sent out LOA's to those people so that they knew they had a spot and didn't have to sweat Plan "B"...:) Guess we sweat like everyone else, and hope, knowing DS has a solid Plan B ready if needed. The very fact that almost all the academies plan for and factor in last minute appointments are understandable, but in reality if a really good Plan B is in effect, highly qualified candidates may not wait. In fact the more we read and learn on here, the more we like Plan B for both our sons. USMA and USCGA are like going to a 4 yr boot camp, where cadets are really insulated from normal life and in a very controlled environment. Doing ROTC or College with OCS definitely has advantages in life skills, socialization, and flexibility (15-18 credits vs 20-24 credits @The academies). I know I am going to get hit for saying what I am saying from the academy grads.....and there is advantages to the academies. You have the networking with other grads, the career advantages of the academy, and that ever important "Ring" that in reality means a lot. You become a member of a very elite club that helps each other thru life and that too is important.

I think personally, that if our sons want a 20+ yr career, the academies are definitely the way to go, but if they want to graduate college debt free, possible grad school in a fast manner, then a Reserve career or AD career out of college planning to serve less than 20 yrs active duty and a civilian career as maybe their own boss, then OCS or ROTC are better. JMHO...:)
Lol
 
Not sure about CGA, but USMA pays something just north of $1000 a month, but 80% of that goes into a "Cadet Account" which pays for uniforms, shoes, jackets, and other "expenses". In reality we were told that they would be able to deposit maybe $300 a month into a checking or savings account, but that they can't touch that money until their Junior year??? I think that is what people on this forum told us was the case for all the SA's. So the "salary" is basically the same for ROTC or the Academy...$300 a month to the cadet. This is just what we have read here and been told, it is not correct PLEASE help!

There is an upfront "loan" made to cadets that they then pay off monthly. This loan covers uniforms, activities, and other expenses. At CGA, cadets receive roughly $400 a month for their first two years (which the cadet can spend whenever and however they choose), and then the pay increases when the loan is paid in full. However, this can vary from cadet to cadet. Some incoming appointees will have scholarships or other monies that are put toward the loan and that will impact the monthly stipend the cadet receives.

@alaskan, it is truly their dream. That being said, I don't know that either would be willing to forfeit 90 college credits to start over. They will have 60 college credits upon HS graduation, and then another 30 from a year in "Prep" school. It is their choice, and I guess we will all have to see whether or not they meet the requirements and are selected. Then it is up to them.

While I understand your concern, it is important to clarify that this situation is not unusual. Many cadets enter CGA with sizable dual enrollment credits, or previous college experience. Just last year, a graduate of CGA had actually already completed a bachelors degree before she became a cadet at CGA. That is an unusual situation, but there are many appointees who forgo college credits to attend CGA.
 
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@alaska66, I understand this completely. It is going to come down just how much our DS wants the CG Academy, if he is even offered an appointment. If he is rejected and begins the program at Plan B, it will be hard for him to drop that because they immediately begin projects and work study from the first year. I think that if he gets into this, he may not want to stop, but rather continue to graduate then try for OCS. It is his call, we are just his sounding boards, but he has already raised this very question, so he is thinking about his options.
 
Not sure about CGA, but USMA pays something just north of $1000 a month, but 80% of that goes into a "Cadet Account" which pays for uniforms, shoes, jackets, and other "expenses". In reality we were told that they would be able to deposit maybe $300 a month into a checking or savings account, but that they can't touch that money until their Junior year??? I think that is what people on this forum told us was the case for all the SA's. So the "salary" is basically the same for ROTC or the Academy...$300 a month to the cadet. This is just what we have read here and been told, it is not correct PLEASE help!
Please stop conflating what other academies do with what USCGA does because, again, this is wrong . If you don't know, please allow someone who does to answer, because otherwise you are spreading false information which isn't helpful to anyone. Money will be deducted from their paycheck for their clothing bill and other mandatory activity fees like the cadet activity fund, the coast guard exchange system (barbershop and other things, fee is different for males and females), and CGA Athletic Activity Fund, but the remainder is direct deposited into their personal account and is immediately available to them.

As Alaska66 mentioned, there is the Initial Clothing Allowance that has to be repaid over their first two years. Some (many?) parents choose to pay this from 529 funds or scholarships, which results in much more of the cadet's pay going to them in the first 2 years. The ICA is about $9,500.00.
 
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@Korab, Pardon Me, BUT I prefaced my remarks with "Not Sure about CGA", so please STOP with the nasty comments. You even say that CGA withholds different expenses (just as I said) so please don't go off and tell me "this is wrong", when all I had was the numbers wrong, and I clearly prefaced that!
 
@Korab, Pardon Me, BUT I prefaced my remarks with "Not Sure about CGA", so please STOP with the nasty comments. You even say that CGA withholds different expenses (just as I said) so please don't go off and tell me "this is wrong", when all I had was the numbers wrong, and I clearly prefaced that!
Facts aren't nasty, and don't care about feelings. 80% doesn't go into a cadet account. It's not $300, as Alaska66 said it is about $400, and that's before any scholarship or 529 funds are applied to the ICA, which would further decrease witholdings. They can access their money immediately, they don't have to wait until heir 2/c year.
 
@Korab, Pardon Me, BUT I prefaced my remarks with "Not Sure about CGA", so please STOP with the nasty comments. You even say that CGA withholds different expenses (just as I said) so please don't go off and tell me "this is wrong", when all I had was the numbers wrong, and I clearly prefaced that!
The nasty comments have been yours. Stop trolling.
 
There is an upfront "loan" made to cadets that they then pay off monthly. This loan covers uniforms, activities, and other expenses. At CGA, cadets receive roughly $400 a month for their first two years (which the cadet can spend whenever and however they choose), and then the pay increases when the loan is paid in full.

Thanks for all the info @Korab and @alaska66! Is there an interest fee on this "loan." If so, can one choose to pay out of pocket if they have the money available?

Thanks again!
 
Thanks for all the info @Korab and @alaska66! Is there an interest fee on this "loan." If so, can one choose to pay out of pocket if they have the money available?

Thanks again!

There is no interest fee. From the Initial Clothing Allowance paperwork that appointees submit: "You will receive an initial clothing allowance (ICA) up to the amount of $10,000. authorized by 14 USC 183 to cover the initial clothing and equipment that are issued during your 4th class year as a Cadet at the United States Coast Guard Academy (USCGA). This allowance is treated as an advance of pay. Based on regulations, you must agree to allow the withholding of more than 15% of available pay to offset the ICA which will be repaid over 24 consecutive months. All scholarships received will be applied to any outstanding balance of this advance which will reduce the duration of the ICA liquidation."

I chose to only include the first paragraph on the form. If you are interested in further information, the documents for enrollment for the Class of 2022 are still viewable here: https://www.uscga.edu/2022/ . Be aware that these forms will be updated for the incoming Class of 2023.
 
There is an upfront "loan" made to cadets that they then pay off monthly. This loan covers uniforms, activities, and other expenses. At CGA, cadets receive roughly $400 a month for their first two years (which the cadet can spend whenever and however they choose), and then the pay increases when the loan is paid in full.

Thanks for all the info @Korab and @alaska66! Is there an interest fee on this "loan." If so, can one choose to pay out of pocket if they have the money available?

Thanks again!
Yes, you can pay it out of pocket. If you intend to do so, set up a 529 fund and deposit the money there and use that money to pay off the ICA. That way, you get the tax benefits of a 529 contribution. You will pay it off in two stages. It takes a while for accounts to be set up for the money to be credited to. First payment will be approximately $3500 and you can make it around October. 2nd payment won't be until the Spring semester for the other 6K or so. If you want the exact amount you will have to wait until approximately February to get that figure. There is an individual at the Academy who deals with this. When the time comes, you will know who it is.
 
@alaskan, it is truly their dream. That being said, I don't know that either would be willing to forfeit 90 college credits to start over. They will have 60 college credits upon HS graduation, and then another 30 from a year in "Prep" school. It is their choice, and I guess we will all have to see whether or not they meet the requirements and are selected. Then it is up to them.

Greetings Inpulsive,
I'm brand new and cannot PM. My son is in a similar place with college credits. Would you kindly share your plan B? Marine Engeneering options outside of SA?
 
My DD is at the School of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering at University of New Orleans.
 
Certainly @BDR123. Like @USCG Master, our DS visited, applied to and was given a scholarship to UNO for NAME. UNO has one of the top ranked NAME Programs and has a 100% placement rate after graduation. The Maritime Institute of NY has a really good program also, the WEBB Institute in Long Island is really good, as is one of the CA State Universities. There are about ten total civilian programs available (not sure of the exact number), but try and make sure the school is near water, has a good summer intern program and their placement record is above 95%. on the Academy side only USCGA, USMMA, and USNA have programs for NAME.

Bottom line, is make sure you visit the school. speak with the professors and students, and get Plan B lined up early as most of these programs only accept 20-25 students a year.
 
Certainly @BDR123. Like @USCG Master, our DS visited, applied to and was given a scholarship to UNO for NAME. UNO has one of the top ranked NAME Programs and has a 100% placement rate after graduation. The Maritime Institute of NY has a really good program also, the WEBB Institute in Long Island is really good, as is one of the CA State Universities. There are about ten total civilian programs available (not sure of the exact number), but try and make sure the school is near water, has a good summer intern program and their placement record is above 95%. on the Academy side only USCGA, USMMA, and USNA have programs for NAME.

Bottom line, is make sure you visit the school. speak with the professors and students, and get Plan B lined up early as most of these programs only accept 20-25 students a year.

Thanks Impulsive! This gives us several avenues for research.
 
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