Is the Merchant Marine Academy free to attend?

I'm really interested in joining the Merchant Marine Academy, but I'm curious about the costs associated with it. Is attending the academy free, or are there expenses I should be aware of? Any insights would be helpful!

Yes, like the other U.S federal service academies, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) provides a tuition-free education to its students, in return for service obligation after graduation. However, while the cost of tuition is covered, there are other costs you should be aware of.

The first is a one-time entrance fee which covers things like uniforms, a laptop, textbooks, and other supplies necessary for both academic and regimental life. This can be quite substantial, so you should keep it in mind while planning your finances.

Additionally, there may be other incidental expenses throughout your time at the academy such as personal items, laundry, and recreational activities which aren't covered as part of the tuition-free education.

Lastly, upon graduation, there's an obligation after graduation to serve in the maritime industry for five years and maintain a maritime license for six years, along with other federal service obligations.

So, while the education at the academy itself doesn't carry traditional tuition costs, I would encourage you to consider these additional expenses when estimating the overall cost of attending the academy.