USNA Appt. Worth?

Nothing from the military is FREE ....EVER....

everything is paid for, just not always up front or with cash.....

My daughter was teased a couple of times by people saying "what? we are paying for your school?" I explained to her that all the tax payers are paying for her education because she (as well as all others) are being entrusted with our militaries futures and those with Appointments will the the Officers to take the reins when needed and lead.

Her education although free to me as a parent, will be paid by all tax payers (including herself as she pays taxes too), as well as repaid with 5 yrs of minimum guarenteed service.

The real winner in all this is that we have so many young women and men that want to join the armed forces, ROTC, Academies etc... and take on the ever so important leadership
roll.

Congrats to all those with the desire to get that "Academy" education and the opportunity to do it!!!!
 
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xrunmariarunx,

No need to apologize. I don't think your question was inappropriate in any way, in fact it honestly didn't occur to me that it could be (or was) taken as such.

Please don't think anything I said was directed at you, if you did I would like to apologize.

Congrats on your appointment :)
 
Now that everyone feels all warm and fuzzy,

don't we (or our parrents) have to come up with some reasonable facsimile of an answer for the 'tax man' in the near future? Perhaps the IRS will accept that it has more than a monetary value on our tax forms:rolleyes:
Congrats to all of us that have achieved this goal; and to those stll waiting for the "Big Envelope". And...for those that do not receive one, for whatever reason, y'all should be commended for desiring to serve in this manner, and proud of your accomplishments that prompted you to even feel comfortable in applying. GOD BLESS AMERICA:thumb:
 
In the book Nightingales Song there is a line that I am paraphasing stating that the price of the education given to the mid is extracted 1 nickel at a time many different ways. The call to serve at least is my family has nothing to do with the dollar value. I do hope that no one serving will have to pay the ultimate price.
 
hopefulfather said:
Yea, I agree that the real reason for going to the USNA is above money. However, many schools want the information for award ceremonies, publicity, funding or other myriad reasons. So, for some of you to belittle a person for asking is being inconsiderate and uninformed. A simple answer is all that is required. Remember the old Ben Franklin quote: Keep your mouth shut and let them think you a fool rather than open it and tell them.
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hopefulfather,

Read back in the thread and you will discover that "simple answers" WERE given early on, in response to the question. I didn't think that subsequent posters were belittling or foolish by expanding on the topic.

It is likely that BGO's that present the scholarships at the awards ceremonies will mention the monetary value of USNA appointments. Yet, the real value extends far beyond money. I think that is the point that the posters were making.

Folks on these academy forums are far too kind and wise than engage in meanspiritedness. :shake:
 
don't we (or our parrents) have to come up with some reasonable facsimile of an answer for the 'tax man' in the near future?
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nope and your parents don't either. the "scholarship" is not at all taxable.
 
Point of Clarification: Money to attend a Service Academy is not considered a scholarship.

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p970.pdf
page 7

An appointment to a United States military academy is not a scholarship or fellowship. Payment you receive as a
cadet or midshipman at an armed services academy is pay for personal services and will be reported to you in box 1 of Form W-2.
Click to expand...

Your Midshipman or Cadet will pay taxes on their reported W2 income. You will not have to report the "value" of said experience. (since it is much more than an education :smile:)

What will be questioned is their dependency - can you or can't you claim them as a dependent. That is a question best left to your conscience and accountant.
 
Hi,

My daughter will be attending USNA, Class of 2013. The most common reaction/comment I get from people is that she is getting a free education. I let whoever have their say and then politely tell them, it's not free. She's paying with her life - she's serving her country after school. Usually people don't have much to say after that.
 
GoNavyMom,

I've had that same conversation also.

In fact, I've had someone tell me "what, I'm paying for your kids college", "why don't you pay for my kids college".

My reply was "I'd be happy to, have them apply, get accepted, and commit to serving, and I'll gladly contribute"

I also get a whole lot of "wow, that's great" "you must be proud of her" and of course we are.

jb
 
For all those folk who really don't get the SA thing and who make the comment about "taxpayers paying for education," that's a great time to whip out the USNA (or any other SA) mission, and comment, "I can't think of a better use of the nation's tax dollars than to invest them in the future of our country, and I'm proud my son/daughter has chosen to SERVE the country in a time of war, for at least x years afterward."

Most people know the immediate mission is to deliver qualified junior officers to the Navy and Marine Corps, but there's also the long-term investment in the "highest responsibilities of command, citizenship and government."

To develop midshipmen morally, mentally and physically and to imbue them with the highest ideals of duty, honor and loyalty in order to provide graduates who are dedicated to a career of naval service and have potential for future development in mind and character to assume the highest responsibilities of command, citizenship and government.
 
Well Said Capt. MJ,

And I would like to add what the cost actually is to the taxpayer who complains.

USNA Dollar Value: $380,000

300M Population, means $.001 cents per person for the cost per student for all 4 years.

Since the taxes are paid by 25% of the population, we have to consider the cost to truly be split by 75M persons instead of the whole population.

So the actual cost per tax payer (based on 75M taxpayers) is $.005 cents per taxpayer.

So if they still have a problem with it, tell them you'll cover their share, give them a penny and ask for your change back. But add in there, that you're child is still willing to defend their rights when the need arises even though they didn't contribute.


JB
 
btw, re: the status of pay received by Mids, while Federal taxes are due on their pay, since it is technically considered a "stipend" Mids are not eligible to create the tax-deferred retirement savings vehicles (like IRAs, 401-Ks, 403-B type vehicles ...I'm blanking what the government version is called). Priors who have previously established may maintain those, however cannot add to them based upon their USNA pay.
 
Whistle Pig said:
btw, re: the status of pay received by Mids, while Federal taxes are due on their pay, since it is technically considered a "stipend" Mids are not eligible to create the tax-deferred retirement savings vehicles (like IRAs, 401-Ks, 403-B type vehicles ...I'm blanking what the government version is called). Priors who have previously established may maintain those, however cannot add to them based upon their USNA pay.
Click to expand...

Thrift Savings Plan. While you may be correct on this part simply because USNA financing might not recognize it, are you sure mids are ineligible for IRAs? I know several who have started them. If they get a standard W-2 reporting regular income, how would the IRS know that they were ineligible?
 
From CFP's I know who work with midshipmen and cadets, Academy "earned income" qualifies them to invest in an IRA, within prescribed min/max restrictions. This also includes USMMA midshipmen who earn money from shipping companies while at sea, even though they don't receive DFAS pay. The other SA's are 24/7 active duty under instruction, and a midshipman/cadet's pay grade is set by DFAS. ROTC cadets and midshipmen receive the "stipend, " I think, which falls in the other category.
TSP becomes available after graduation.
This has been my understanding for several years, after discussing with licensed folk who have worked with, but it's just MHO in this forum.
 
Mids are definitely eligible for IRA's. USAA has been very helpful on financial planning and instruments available to Mids. Mine has set up a Roth IRA and has contributed to it for two years already.
 
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