The State University of New York (SUNY) Maritime College has launched the Cadet Appointment Program (CAP), a new initiative aimed at reducing financial barriers for New York State residents pursuing careers in the maritime industry. Approved by the New York State Legislature, CAP provides eligible students with a four-year, full-tuition scholarship for undergraduate studies at the college.
The program allows elected officials across New York to nominate candidates. Each state senator can nominate two students every four years, while members of the Assembly are allotted one nomination. Additionally, the Governor, Senate Majority Leader, and Speaker of the Assembly can each nominate five students every four years.
To qualify for the scholarship, applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and have lived in New York for at least one year prior to the start of classes. Candidates must be New York State high school graduates, current seniors at approved New York schools, or holders of a New York State high school equivalency diploma.
While SUNY Maritime’s Regiment of Cadets is open to all students, participation is required for those pursuing a U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) license. The program does not mandate military service post-graduation, but students can explore various ROTC options during their time at the college.
Academic performance is a key eligibility criterion. Bachelor of Science candidates must have an unweighted GPA of at least 87, while Bachelor of Engineering candidates require a minimum unweighted GPA of 90. Meeting these criteria does not guarantee eligibility, as applications are reviewed on an individual basis.
Students interested in the CAP scholarship must submit a complete application to SUNY Maritime College by the regular decision deadline of Jan. 31. The college’s admissions team will review applications to determine eligibility.
For more information or to express interest in the program, students can contact the Office of Admissions at [email protected].
