Military Academy Nominations

Welcome to my application page for U.S. Service Academy Nominations. As a member of Congress, I have the opportunity to nominate eligible constituents to four service academies. The application and nomination process is very competitive and if you are interested in seeking a career in military service I encourage you to apply.

The U.S. military service academies are tuition-free, four-year degree-granting institutions operated by the military departments. The honor of attending a service academy comes with the obligation and commitment to serve in the military for a minimum of five years upon graduation.

Members of Congress may nominate candidates for appointment to four of the five U.S. service academies. Each academy requires the submission of a preliminary application to initiate the admissions process. Prior to submitting an application for nomination with my office, please begin your online application on the website for your academy of choice.

Admission information and candidate applications are available from the academies' websites listed below: 

The following academies accept Congressional nominations: 

• U.S. Military Academy (USMA), West Point, NY
• U.S. Naval Academy (USNA), Annapolis, MD
• U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA), Colorado Springs, CO
• U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), Kings Point, NY 

The fifth service academy, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy (USCGA) in New London, CT does not require a congressional nomination for appointment.

Eligibility Requirements

Each applicant for a nomination must meet the following eligibility requirements as of July 1st of the year of admission to an academy:

• Potential Candidates should be at least 17 by July 1st but not passed your 23rd birthday.
• You Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• You must be unmarried, not pregnant, and without legal obligation to support children or other dependents
• You must reside within the boundaries of the 4th Congressional District of Illinois.
• Must meet the medical, physical, and academic requirements of the Academy

TIMELINE 

July 1, 2026
Online Application Period Begins. Submit your application for a nomination here. 

October 30, 2026  
Last day to submit applications for a nomination. 
The deadline is Thursday, October 30th, 11:59 PM CST (Please note that no materials will be accepted after the deadline. It’s the student’s responsibility to ensure that all required documents are submitted and received on time.)

November 2026
Interviews for Qualified Applicants

December 2026
Nominations Submitted to Academies

January 31, 2027        
Nomination results emailed to applicants

March - June 2027

Notifications of Official Offers

To request a Military Academy Nomination from our office, please complete the form below. The deadline to apply for a military nomination from our office is October 30th, 2026.

You can find the application form here.

For more information and to view the application schedule please review the page of Frequently Asked Questions for those seeking a Military Academy Nomination. 

Best wishes to you as you pursue your goal of attending one of the U.S. Service Academies and serving our country.