The Tuition-Free Maritime Academy
New York's Excelsior Scholarship program makes SUNY and CUNY schools tuition-free for eligible families—including SUNY Maritime College, one of only seven maritime academies in the United States.
For New York families seeking a military-style education with guaranteed career outcomes, SUNY Maritime offers a unique combination: regimented campus life, officer training, and a tuition-free path to one of the highest-paying entry-level careers in America.
What Is the Excelsior Scholarship?
The Excelsior Scholarship covers tuition at all SUNY and CUNY schools for New York residents meeting income and academic requirements.
Key Benefits:
- Full tuition coverage (not room and board)
- Available at all 64 SUNY and CUNY campuses
- Includes SUNY Maritime College
- Renewable for up to 4 years
Income Eligibility (2024-2025):
- Household income under $125,000
This threshold covers the majority of New York families.
SUNY Maritime College: Military Structure, Maritime Career
Location: Throggs Neck, Bronx (on the water)
What Makes It Military-Style:
- Regiment of Cadets (uniformed corps)
- Rank structure and military customs
- Regimented daily schedule
- Physical fitness requirements
- Leadership development curriculum
- Summer sea training aboard the Empire State training ship
Degree Programs:
- Marine Transportation (ship officers)
- Marine Engineering
- Naval Architecture
- International Transportation and Trade
- Facilities Engineering
- And more
The Career Payoff
Maritime careers offer exceptional starting salaries:
| Career Path | Entry Salary | Mid-Career |
|---|---|---|
| Third Mate (Ship Officer) | $70,000-$90,000 | $100,000-$150,000+ |
| Third Engineer | $70,000-$90,000 | $100,000-$150,000+ |
| Port/Terminal Manager | $60,000-$80,000 | $90,000-$130,000 |
| Naval Architect | $65,000-$85,000 | $100,000-$140,000 |
Merchant Marine Officers (ship captains and chief engineers) can earn $150,000-$300,000+ with experience.
The True Cost with Excelsior
What Excelsior Covers:
- Full SUNY tuition (~$7,070/year)
What You Still Pay:
- Room and board (~$15,000-$17,000/year)
- Fees (~$1,500-$2,000/year)
- Books and supplies
- Uniform costs
Net Cost: Approximately $17,000-$20,000/year for a residential military college experience—far less than private military academies.
Additional Aid: Many students qualify for federal Pell Grants, TAP (Tuition Assistance Program), and SUNY Maritime scholarships, further reducing costs.
Excelsior Eligibility Requirements
To qualify and maintain Excelsior:
Income:
- Household AGI under $125,000
Academic:
- Complete 30 credits per year (full-time status)
- Maintain good academic standing
- Be on track to graduate in 4 years
Residency:
- New York resident for 12+ months before enrollment
- Must live in New York during college
- Must work in New York for 4 years after graduation (or scholarship converts to loan)
The New York Work Requirement
Important: Excelsior recipients must work in New York State for the same number of years they received the scholarship (typically 4 years).
For Maritime Grads: This is rarely a problem because:
- New York has major ports (NYC, Albany)
- Maritime companies have NY offices
- Ship officers can claim NY residence while sailing
- Many maritime careers are NY-based
If you leave New York early, the scholarship converts to a loan.
How SUNY Maritime Compares
| Factor | SUNY Maritime | Private Military Academy | Service Academy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | Free (Excelsior) | $40,000-$60,000 | Free |
| Room/Board | ~$16,000 | Included | Free |
| Military Obligation | None required | None | 5+ years active duty |
| Career Path | Merchant Marine/Maritime | Varies | Military officer |
| Admission | Competitive | Selective | Highly competitive |
SUNY Maritime offers military structure without military obligation—at near-zero tuition cost.
The Regiment of Cadets
Life at SUNY Maritime includes:
Daily Structure:
- Uniformed formation
- Room inspections
- Physical training
- Academic classes
- Afternoon activities/sports
Rank Progression:
- Freshman: Cadet
- Sophomore: Cadet 3rd Class
- Junior: Cadet 2nd Class
- Senior: Cadet 1st Class (leadership positions)
Summer Training:
- Mandatory sea training aboard training ship
- Real ocean voyages
- Practical maritime experience
License and Commission Options
Merchant Marine License: Graduates can sit for the U.S. Coast Guard license exam to become:
- Third Mate (deck officers)
- Third Assistant Engineer (engineering officers)
Naval Reserve Commission: SUNY Maritime offers a Strategic Sealift Officer (SSO) program—a Navy Reserve commission with minimal active duty requirement but excellent benefits.
ROTC: Navy ROTC scholarships are available for students seeking active duty Navy or Marine Corps careers.
Application Process
Step 1: Apply to SUNY Maritime
- Common Application or SUNY Application
- High school transcripts
- SAT/ACT scores (check current requirements)
- Essay and recommendations
Step 2: Apply for Financial Aid
- Complete FAFSA
- Complete NY State TAP application
- Excelsior is automatically considered with FAFSA
Step 3: Accept Admission
- Commit to SUNY Maritime
- Complete Regiment of Cadets enrollment
- Attend summer orientation
Who Thrives at SUNY Maritime
Good Fit:
- Students who want structure but not military commitment
- Interest in ships, engineering, or logistics
- Comfortable with physical demands
- Want high-paying career with clear path
- New York residents seeking affordable option
Not Ideal For:
- Students who want traditional college social life
- Those uncomfortable with uniforms and regimentation
- Students uncertain about maritime career focus
Questions to Ask
- "What percentage of students complete the Regiment of Cadets program?"
- "What is the job placement rate after graduation?"
- "How does summer sea training work?"
- "Can I participate in ROTC alongside the Regiment?"
- "What additional scholarships are available beyond Excelsior?"
Other New York Military Options
For High School:
- New York Military Academy (private, Cornwall-on-Hudson) — Grades 7-12, boarding
For College:
- U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (Kings Point) — Federal academy, free tuition, service obligation
- West Point — If seeking Army officer career
- SUNY schools with ROTC programs
Resources
Key Takeaways
- Excelsior Scholarship makes SUNY Maritime tuition-free for families under $125K
- SUNY Maritime offers military-style regimented life with merchant marine career path
- Total cost ~$17,000-$20,000/year (room, board, fees)—far less than private academies
- Graduates earn $70,000-$90,000+ starting, with potential for $150,000+ mid-career
- No military service obligation (unlike service academies)
- Must work in NY for 4 years after graduation or scholarship converts to loan
Next Steps
Learn about the service academy pathway if you're considering federal academies. Explore military school costs to compare options.