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Education: Military academies

Service academy applicants must be nominated to be considered for appointment. Most receive nominations from members of Congress. Other sources include presidential nominations for children of career service members, and regular and reserve unit nominations.

Applicants must be 17 to 23 years old by July 1 of the year of entrance; a U.S. citizen (except for limited numbers of applicants from foreign countries); of good moral character; and able to meet academic, physical and medical requirements.

Applicants also must be single, not pregnant and have no legal obligation to support family members. Students are members of the U.S. Armed Forces and receive a fully funded education and an annual salary that helps pay for uniforms, textbooks, personal computers and incidentals. There is no tuition. The government provides room and board, medical and dental care.

Upon graduation, students receive bachelor’s of science degrees with their commissions. In return, they must serve five years on active duty and three years in a reserve status.

An extended service commitment applies to Air Force and Navy pilots and navigators.

Contact: U.S. Air Force Academy, http://www.usafa.af.mil; U.S. Military Academy, http://www.usma.edu; U.S. Naval Academy, http://www.nadn.navy .mil; U.S. Coast Guard Academy, http://www.cga.edu