State Maritime Academies

MARAD provides financial assistance to six State Maritime Academies to train merchant marine officers pursuant to the Maritime Education and Training Act of 1980.

The Academies are California Maritime Academy, Vallejo, CA; Great Lakes Maritime Academy, Traverse City, MI; Maine Maritime Academy, Castine, ME; Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Buzzards Bay, MA; State University of New York Maritime College, Fort Schuyler, NY; and Texas Maritime Academy, Galveston, TX.

State maritime academy cadets who participate in the Student Incentive Payment (SIP) Program receive a maximum of $3,000 annually to offset school costs.

The SIP participants are obligated to complete the academy’s course of instruction; pass the USCG examination for a license as an officer in the U.S. Merchant Marine and maintain the license for at least 6 years from the date of graduation.

They must apply for and accept, if offered, an appointment as a commissioned officer in an armed force reserve component and serve for at least 6 years from the date of graduation; and maintain employment in the maritime industry at least 3 years from the date of graduation.

Click below to link to a State Maritime Academy:

• California Maritime Academy
• Great Lakes Maritime Academy
• Maine Maritime Academy
• Massachusetts Maritime Academy
• State University of New York Maritime College
• Texas Maritime Academy