Opening USAA account

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Hopeful2025

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Jan 11, 2020
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I want to open a USAA account for the money I receive as a stipend to go into, however I am 17 until August. When I called, they said I am unable to because I'm under 18 and none of my parents are service members. After beast, since i would be 18, would I be eligible to open a USAA account and ask west point to send the money that is a stipend there instead of what I am listing as my direct deposit account on my forms?
 
Yes - USAA branch outside Thayer Gate, once account is open just update your paperwork. Your TAC can help at that time.
18 on A Day? First chance to leave post.
 
Agree with MidwestDad. You will read anecdotal stories of people getting the right person on the phone at the right time at 17yo, but my 2021 had a heck of a time. While he got an account over the phone at 17, none of it worked. Transfers failed, account features didn't work. Once he turned 18 in August of that year, they had to scrap his first account and create from scratch. No issues. Oddest thing.
 
It is worth the wait and the struggle in terms of what you will be able to do easily for the rest of your life. So, make a plan...and then stick to it. Once you turn 18, open the account, and then you can change the direct deposit to that account. Good luck.
 
MidwestDad said:
Yes - USAA branch outside Thayer Gate, once account is open just update your paperwork. Your TAC can help at that time.
18 on A Day? First chance to leave post.
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It’s now only an ATM machine outside the gate.
For some reason it is made very difficult to select anything other than PENFED on R-Day for direct deposit. DD had USAA, but they set hers up for PENFED.
 
UHBlackhawk said:
It’s now only an ATM machine outside the gate.
For some reason it is made very difficult to select anything other than PENFED on R-Day for direct deposit. DD had USAA, but they set hers up for PENFED.
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Well in any case once 18 with DoD ID opening online / by phone will be easy.
 
USAA is telling me their policy changed in 2020 and those under 18 are no longer able to open an account even if attending a Service Academy. Is anyone having the same issue?
 
Just curious but does anyone know when we officially start recieving our monthly stipend? Does it start when we start beast or when we start school in August?
 
Hopeful2025 said:
Just curious but does anyone know when we officially start recieving our monthly stipend? Does it start when we start beast or when we start school in August?
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First of all, the term "Stipend" is usually associated with ROTC and works under different rules. Cadets and Midshipmen at the Service Academies are active duty military and military pay is from your FIRST day of active duty until your LAST day of active duty. Your PAY will be getting deposited into your cadet pay account from day one. I can't tell you when you'll start getting the portion that 4th class cadets are given but when I was a mid at USNA it was during plebe summer.
 
The "stipend" is formally called the Monthly Allotment and begins with the first paycheck, which for New Cadets will be the End of Month check in July. However, travel reimbursements will be paid sooner, about a week after R-Day.

Unlike after commissioning when you can choose to be paid twice/month (Mid-Month and End of Month), Cadets are only paid End of Month.
 
Highly recommend USAA for insurance, but no rush to get USAA bank account until you get Cow loan. PenFed is required of all Cadets and works just as well for monthly allotment while you are a Cadet.

USAA is nice to setup initially if you are able to, but you can switch later on at your leisure.
 
OldRetSWO said:
First of all, the term "Stipend" is usually associated with ROTC and works under different rules. Cadets and Midshipmen at the Service Academies are active duty military and military pay is from your FIRST day of active duty until your LAST day of active duty. Your PAY will be getting deposited into your cadet pay account from day one. I can't tell you when you'll start getting the portion that 4th class cadets are given but when I was a mid at USNA it was during plebe summer.
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Maybe a bit of a difference in Academy cultures. I remember the monthly alottment being commonly referred to as a stipend at West Point by cadets because it was recognized that you were only getting a portion of your pay based on what class year you were. The rest of it was going into your cadet account to pay off uniforms and other mandatory expenses
 
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