I have a little bit of a random question here... I have accepted an appointment to USNA and am excited for I-day in June. I understand that it is a full scholarship, everything is paid for, and that mids receive a monthly stipend while at the Academy. However, I was wondering if it would be smart to still apply to scholarships for the upcoming year. Is this even allowed?? It would be nice to have a little bit of a cushion since mids get the stipend, but it is not very much and obviously you cannot work another job while there. If there is a possibility of receiving any scholarships, are there any that you would recommend I apply for? This is a totally open-ended question, and I will be thankful for any input y'all can give or past experiences that you can share. Like I said, it is definitely not necessary, but seems worth asking as it would be good to have a little extra spending money for anything that comes up while at the Academy.
Scholarships for Mids
- Thread starter txrearea
- Start date
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2008
- Messages
- 20,666
You can apply, but read the fine print. Some scholarships may only be applied to tuition or room and board, therefore N/A to USNA. Or some have a caveat they will be withdrawn if you are going to a service academy.
You can also apply certain scholarship funds to your ACE loan that covers all your initial expenses at USNA and is automatically paid back out of your pay.
Here is a link to a sample USNA Midshipman Budget book. Read up on the ACE loan and how certain scholarships might be applied.
InItToWinIt
Member
- Joined
- Apr 27, 2021
- Messages
- 46
I believe the website says they will accept up to $17,000 in outside scholarships that can be applied to the ACE loan and other required expenses over the 4 years. They can not be designated as only for tuition or room/board.
My DS is a plebe who earned several outside scholarships that could be applied to his ACE loan. DS paycheck is still $125/mo even though he has scholarships to help pay for the ACE loan--meaning that all the deductions taken out of Plebe paychecks are still taken out of his too. Our understanding is that he will get that scholarship money paid to him in a lump sum either at the end of this year or early in his youngster year.
- Joined
- Apr 9, 2017
- Messages
- 9,382
It’s important to understand, as pointed out, that you won’t be receiving additional monies to supplement your ‘not vey much stipend’. By design, everyone is the same, especially as a plebe.
There are people with higher amounts of discretionary funds, but that’s from you own bank account. Or mom and dads.
Echo to understand the fine print of the scholarship. If it is simply money you can put into your bank account? You will have access. But any scholarships that go directly to USAN? You won’t be able to supplement your low stipend with that. It goes to pay off the loan, as already mentioned.
As far as recommending ones? Idk. You will have to do the leg work and find and research them. Look locally. It’s a lot of work. But can be a nice little payoff! Both of my boys were happy with what the appointment, and had already worked and had a nice bank account they used. And we’re absolutely burned out from apply to stuff. So the applied for a few, didn’t get them, and said “I’m good!!”
Something else to consider, is the 2/C career starter loan. Separate from the SA. It’s a loan available (at very low interest) from NFCU and USAA. About 30K. It’s a whole other discussion, but is a source of finances that will be available to you during your last two years there. Which all goes into your bank account and you will have access to as a 2/C.
There are people with higher amounts of discretionary funds, but that’s from you own bank account. Or mom and dads.
Echo to understand the fine print of the scholarship. If it is simply money you can put into your bank account? You will have access. But any scholarships that go directly to USAN? You won’t be able to supplement your low stipend with that. It goes to pay off the loan, as already mentioned.
As far as recommending ones? Idk. You will have to do the leg work and find and research them. Look locally. It’s a lot of work. But can be a nice little payoff! Both of my boys were happy with what the appointment, and had already worked and had a nice bank account they used. And we’re absolutely burned out from apply to stuff. So the applied for a few, didn’t get them, and said “I’m good!!”
Something else to consider, is the 2/C career starter loan. Separate from the SA. It’s a loan available (at very low interest) from NFCU and USAA. About 30K. It’s a whole other discussion, but is a source of finances that will be available to you during your last two years there. Which all goes into your bank account and you will have access to as a 2/C.
Last edited:
Computerman21
5-Year Member
- Joined
- Mar 26, 2019
- Messages
- 172
I recommend applying for scholarships as all the money you'll receive to your held pay account from the scholarship is money that will most likely end up as income to you while at the Academy.