High School Students

Admission requirements/considerations:

  • Applicants must be at least 17 years of age with a high school diploma or GED
  • Applicants that dual enrolled at a college (while in high school) or took AP courses, must submit those transcripts in addition to high school transcripts
  • Applicants must be a United States citizen
  • Applicants with prior or pending misdemeanors, felonies or legal expungements will be prompted to submit additional documentation. Your background must be adjudicated by the Maritime Admissions Office.
  • Applicants must meet United States Coast Guard physical standards and all requirements for licensing as a United States Merchant Marine Officer, as established by federal law. This is not the same as the physical required for active military duty.
  • Applicants submit standardized test scores. The ACT and/or SAT minimum requirements (placement tests are available if you wish to improve placement in math) are below:

Standardized score requirements

SAT (March 2016-present) Academy code 6982

 

Evidence-Based Reading and Writing

Math

Total

Engineering Officer

530

530

1050

Deck Officer

530

580

1110

ACT (Academy code 1978)

 

English

Math

Grading

Composite

Engineering Officer

19

21

19

21

Deck Officer

19

24

19

21

Please note these are the minimal score sets required to be considered for admission into the Academy. Acceptance is competitive.

Completed application includes:

  1. Official copies of high school transcripts (and college transcripts, if applicable) from all schools attended or your GED
  2. Copies of ACT and/or SAT scores
  3. Merchant Mariner Credential Medical Evaluation Report (PDF)
  4. Two letters of recommendation with contact information
  5. If applicable, send AP scores and/or college transcripts
  6. An official visit is required of admitted students. Those that complete their applications may register for a visit prior to or after an admissions decision is given.

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Learn more about financial aid

Tuition and fees

Academics

NMC Great Lakes Maritime Academy student Olivia Denman

Olivia Denman
Great Lakes Maritime Academy cadet

"Of all of the academies, this was the most affordable. It's also the only one where we only do one year on the training ship, and then rest of our sea projects are on commercial shipping boats, so we get more practical experience that way."

Important dates

  • Application and decision deadlines
  • Maritime classes for incoming first-year cadets begin Fall semester only.
  • The Academy admits 60 cadets each year; early submission and completion of application materials is advised.
  • The FAFSA should be completed using school code 002302. FAFSA applications open Oct 1, the year prior to the start of classes.
  • For maximum award in the state of Michigan, submit your FAFSA by March 1 (the year of the start of classes)
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