Are Coast Guard Academy students offered a stipend?

I've been looking into the Coast Guard Academy and heard something about a stipend for students. Can someone clarify how much it is and how it's distributed? Does it cover living expenses or is it just for books and supplies?

Yes, you heard correctly. Students at the United States Coast Guard Academy, commonly referred to as cadets, are indeed offered a stipend. As of 2024, the stipend is $1,150 per month.

This stipend, however, is not designed to cover tuition or room and board, as these are provided by the Academy at no cost to students. Instead, the cadet stipend is mainly intended to cover the cost of books, uniforms, and other miscellaneous expenses. At the start of the academic year, a part of the stipend is used to cover the cost of these required items.

The remaining balance is then distributed bi-weekly throughout the year, and cadets can use it at their discretion. It's important to note that this stipend raises slightly year over year while a student attends the academy, so a senior cadet would receive a higher monthly stipend compared to a freshman cadet.

So, while it may not cover "living expenses" in the traditional sense (since the essentials like housing and dining are already provided by the Academy), it is meant to cover the basic expenses that a student may have while attending the academy.