APPLYING FOR FINANCIAL AID
The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy participates in the Federal Student Aid (FSA) programs provided by the U.S. Department of Education. Financial aid is available to eligible Midshipmen, regardless of family income. Financial Aid may be used to cover eligible educational expenses associated with attendance at the Academy. If you require financial assistance, you must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You will not be considered for aid until you do so. Midshipmen are encouraged to file the FAFSA as early as possible.
Filing a FAFSA does NOT obligate you to accept any financial aid awards.
To file a FAFSA, visit:
https://fafsa.ed.gov/
When filing the FAFSA, Plebe Candidates and parents should use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to facilitate completion of the form. USMMA’s school code for the FAFSA is
002892.
Once you have filed your FAFSA, or if you have any questions or concerns, please contact Ms. Lauri D’Ambra in the Office of Financial Aid at (516) 726-5638, or by email at
dambral@usmma.edu . The Office of Financial Aid is located on the 2nd floor of the Admissions building. Additional information regarding financial aid is available on the USMMA website at:
http://www.usmma.edu/admissions/financial-aid
IMPORTANT NOTE: Financial Aid is disbursed
after each academic trimester has started. Plebe Candidates should not expect to see disbursements from Pell Grants or Direct Loans until 30 days after the first day of class for the first trimester. Unfortunately, the funds from Financial Aid are not immediately available to pay for items that must be procured before arrival at the Academy such as laptop, Plebe Kit, TWIC, etc. However, financial aid may be used to reimburse these costs. If Plebe Candidates have a
signed Financial Aid Award Letter with adequate funds, prepayment of Midshipman Fees is not required. Please contact the Office of Financial Aid for more information.