Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that he is currently accepting applications for nominations to fill one vacancy at the US Air Force Academy (www.usaf.edu) in Colorado Springs, Colorado, one vacancy at the U.S. Military Academy (www.usma.edu) at West Point, New York, and one vacancy at the U.S. Naval Academy (www.usna.edu) in Annapolis, Maryland for the class entering the academies in June, 2009.  He is also accepting nominations for the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (www.usmma.edu).  The Merchant Marine Academy can sometimes accept more than two candidates provided there are vacancies in the national pool. 

To meet the high qualifying standards set forth by the academies, applicants must have a minimum Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) combined verbal and math score of 1,000 or an American College Test (ACT) score of 25 for English, 27 for Math, 26 for Reading, and 26 for Science Reasoning.  Please keep in mind that these scores do not automatically qualify an applicant for admission.  For this reason, it is recommended that all applicants take the SAT or ACT more than once if they believe they can improve their test scores.

Each applicant for nomination must meet the following eligibility requirements by July 1 of the year he/she plans to enter the academy:

• an applicant must be at least 17 years of age and must not have passed his/her 23rd birthday on July 1 of the year of admission;
• unmarried, not pregnant and have no obligation to support children or other dependents;
• a U.S. citizen (U.S. nationals may be nominated but must obtain their U.S. citizenship before graduating) and
• of good moral character.

Applicants interested in applying to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy must apply directly to the Coast Guard Academy since it has its own application process which does not include nominations from Members of Congress.  Interested applicants may contact the Coast Guard Academy online at www.cga.edu.

Candidates who are successful in gaining admission to one of the service academies, which are ranked among the top rated educational institutions in the United States, can look forward to being challenged academically and physically.  They will also receive a four-year education which ranges in value from $350,000 to $500,000, and the opportunity to serve as an officer in the U.S. Armed Forces.  For more information, please contact Faleomavaega’s office in Utulei at 633-1372.