Midshipman Expenses

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bubbledouble

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Hi! Today I received my appointment to KP and I am thrilled! One question, I understand that KP MIDN do not receive pay (except during sea year). I am not really sure how to entirely ask this question but does not receiving pay affect much? Based on the research I've done, it doesn't seem like it's a big deal but I wanted to see if there's any current and past MIDN that could comment. Just trying to get a few more details before I commit (which I plan to). Thank you!
 
Things are likely a bit different now but probably not a ton. In my day there wasn't much you needed money for, especially plebe year. Back then you could get by with just the occasional pizza, toiletries, and paying for your uniforms to be dry cleaned so you don't have to iron them. Once you could leave campus it wasn't hard to find some work here and there for any additional spending money.

I am sure in todays world it is light years easier, back then we didn't have the internet, smart phones, or apps.
 
Be aware of this:

Cost of Attendance | U.S. Merchant Marine Academy

A Midshipman's Cost of Attendance (COA) will vary by class year and the number of terms on campus during a given academic year.
www.usmma.edu

But also know that it may be more than a bit overstated. For example, your travel costs may be significantly less than these estimates.

I would characterize these as conservative estimates of all the outflows. The only inflow will be your sea year pay.

Therefore, there is some net cost to you or your family.
 
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Our out-of-pocket cost totalled about $10,000 for four years, which is less than you will make during sea year. So you will end up with a net gain after four years. Pretty good deal.
 
When compared to the other 4 SA, USMMA is the only one that does not make a monthly salary and are required to pay out of pocket expenses. There are expenses at the other 4, but the salary element allows the institution the ability to float magic money accounts and give loans to students behind the scenes. Should someone leave those schools early, there are financial penalties to cover items like computer and uniforms that had not yet been paid back.

Because there is no salary, USMMA mids can have small jobs - but there are a ton of caveats covering this. Freshman are assigned WATCH where you sit and watch an area on campus for a couple of hours. This is an additional duty and is assigned to all Plebes. Given the academic and regimental demands on students, it is common for classmates to pay others to cover their shifts and sit watch on their behalf.

On the flip side, the pay earned during Sea Year goes a long way towards making up for the pay discrepancy. Additionally, upon graduation, it is common for graduates sailing on their license to land six-figure jobs just out of graduation where their military service counterparts are going to make ~$55,000 in year one.
 
shiner said:
When compared to the other 4 SA, USMMA is the only one that does not make a monthly salary and are required to pay out of pocket expenses. There are expenses at the other 4, but the salary element allows the institution the ability to float magic money accounts and give loans to students behind the scenes. Should someone leave those schools early, there are financial penalties to cover items like computer and uniforms that had not yet been paid back.

Because there is no salary, USMMA mids can have small jobs - but there are a ton of caveats covering this. Freshman are assigned WATCH where you sit and watch an area on campus for a couple of hours. This is an additional duty and is assigned to all Plebes. Given the academic and regimental demands on students, it is common for classmates to pay others to cover their shifts and sit watch on their behalf.

On the flip side, the pay earned during Sea Year goes a long way towards making up for the pay discrepancy. Additionally, upon graduation, it is common for graduates sailing on their license to land six-figure jobs just out of graduation where their military service counterparts are going to make ~$55,000 in year one.
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Hmm, I remember standing some kind of watch all four years.
 
cmakin said:
Hmm, I remember standing some kind of watch all four years.
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You are likely correct, but the vast majority of shifts are sat by plebes - correct? Regardless, standing a watch for others is one way mids make spending money at KP.
 
I remember some classmates had small student loans. The value of the loan exceeded the amount that had to be paid to KP. The difference was disbursed to them and they used it for expenses. I''m not sure how that worked or if it is still possible, but there is a financial aid page on the website. Regarding saving your sea year money to cover your expenses, I honestly think you should spend every penny you get during sea year doing whatever crazy and amazing things you can find to do. In the big scheme of life it's not a lot of money, and you'll be laughing about those experiences for the rest of your life.
 
KP Eng said:
I remember some classmates had small student loans. The value of the loan exceeded the amount that had to be paid to KP. The difference was disbursed to them and they used it for expenses. I''m not sure how that worked or if it is still possible, but there is a financial aid page on the website. Regarding saving your sea year money to cover your expenses, I honestly think you should spend every penny you get during sea year doing whatever crazy and amazing things you can find to do. In the big scheme of life it's not a lot of money, and you'll be laughing about those experiences for the rest of your life.
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There is a very helpful financial aid office at USMMA, so cost should not prevent you from attending. Finding ways to spend your sea year money is not easy during COVID when you cannot even leave your ship in many places...
 
KP Eng said:
I remember some classmates had small student loans. The value of the loan exceeded the amount that had to be paid to KP. The difference was disbursed to them and they used it for expenses. I''m not sure how that worked or if it is still possible, but there is a financial aid page on the website. Regarding saving your sea year money to cover your expenses, I honestly think you should spend every penny you get during sea year doing whatever crazy and amazing things you can find to do. In the big scheme of life it's not a lot of money, and you'll be laughing about those experiences for the rest of your life.
Click to expand...
Everyone’s situation is different but I’m planning that my son’s sea year money is his. He can save it or spend it. I like your suggestion to make the most of those once in a lifetime adventures. The KP costs will all be mine to bear and I know I’m getting off easy compared to what college could have cost!

I have seen others posting that even the limited KP costs are a burden to themselves and/or their families. I agree with kpmom2013 that USMMA financial aid can likely help.
 
We have been using educational IRA and 529 towards those mandatory expenses. They can even receive scholarship money that can go towards fees depending on how scholarship is worded or restricted.
 
RowingMom said:
We have been using educational IRA and 529 towards those mandatory expenses. They can even receive scholarship money that can go towards fees depending on how scholarship is worded or restricted.
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Ok you’re the lucky winner for my next question lol! Hope you don’t mind! We have very good money set aside in a 529. Which categories of expenses can the 529 be used for and which can’t they be used for? Everything on the chart linked here or not quite everything? Thank you!

Cost of Attendance | U.S. Merchant Marine Academy

A Midshipman's Cost of Attendance (COA) will vary by class year and the number of terms on campus during a given academic year.
www.usmma.edu
 
CkzErz said:
Ok you’re the lucky winner for my next question lol! Hope you don’t mind! We have very good money set aside in a 529. Which categories of expenses can the 529 be used for and which can’t they be used for? Everything on the chart linked here or not quite everything? Thank you!

Cost of Attendance | U.S. Merchant Marine Academy

A Midshipman's Cost of Attendance (COA) will vary by class year and the number of terms on campus during a given academic year.
www.usmma.edu
Click to expand...
We had similar question and guidance we received was pretty much all the mandatory items and fees on that list could be paid for from the 529 or IRA. This included the plebe kit, education kit, TWIC, passport, service fees (laundry, hairdresser, tailor), personal gear (shoes, socks, toiletries etc), general school supplies (composition notebooks, drafting tools, etc). I think our initial withdrawal from IRA was a little over $4k.
 
RowingMom said:
We had similar question and guidance we received was pretty much all the mandatory items and fees on that list could be paid for from the 529 or IRA. This included the plebe kit, education kit, TWIC, passport, service fees (laundry, hairdresser, tailor), personal gear (shoes, socks, toiletries etc), general school supplies (composition notebooks, drafting tools, etc). I think our initial withdrawal from IRA was a little over $4k.
Click to expand...
Thank you!
 
CkzErz said:
Everyone’s situation is different but I’m planning that my son’s sea year money is his. He can save it or spend it. I like your suggestion to make the most of those once in a lifetime adventures.
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My son spent a good chunk of his saved up sea year money on his class ring and flying his girlfriend back for the Ring Dance.. As I recall his ring alone was a cool $1,500.. When it was all said and done Ring Dance weekend cost him about $2,600..
 
The other earnings you may not know about are scholarships and cash prizes awarded to MIDN 1/C for outstanding performance in particular classes or on specific projects. The awards can run from a few hundred dollars to several thousand. Pretty sweet.
 
deepdraft1 said:
My son spent a good chunk of his saved up sea year money on his class ring and flying his girlfriend back for the Ring Dance.. As I recall his ring alone was a cool $1,500.. When it was all said and done Ring Dance weekend cost him about $2,600..
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So he spent his money on women and flashy jewelry?!?! Typical sailor.
 
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KP Eng said:
Regarding saving your sea year money to cover your expenses, I honestly think you should spend every penny you get during sea year doing whatever crazy and amazing things you can find to do. In the big scheme of life it's not a lot of money, and you'll be laughing about those experiences for the rest of your life.
Click to expand...
Sage advice from an SAF Jedi, all young padawans should read and heed.

I spent almost all of my sea year in Asia and I wish I had taken the time and made the effort to see and do more. I always figured I'd be back again plenty but still haven't made it back in almost 30 years. Sea year is about gaining life experiences as much as maritime knowledge.
 
deepdraft1 said:
My son spent a good chunk of his saved up sea year money on his class ring and flying his girlfriend back for the Ring Dance.. As I recall his ring alone was a cool $1,500.. When it was all said and done Ring Dance weekend cost him about $2,600..
Click to expand...
My, how responsible. . . I didn't have a girlfriend while at KP (well, not regular, anyway), so I didn't have those kids of expenses. . . but I did manage somehow to spend all that I earned at sea. . . most while I was at sea. . .
 
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