It is truly an honor to nominate outstanding young leaders throughout our state who excel in the classroom and also in their communities to be considered for appointments to United States service academies.
Our U.S. service academies allow young people the opportunity to serve our country while receiving a full four-year scholarship from some of our nation’s finest institutions of higher learning.
Senator Ernst may nominate up to ten eligible Iowa students for each U.S. service academy. Each U.S. service academy allocates five vacancies to be filled by students selected from Senator Ernst’s nominations over a four-year period.
Please Note: Students from the state of Iowa apply to fill four vacancies at the Merchant Marine Academy because the Merchant Marine Academy allocates the number of appointments per state based on each state’s representation in Congress.
Application Process
Please Note: Applicants must also apply directly to the U.S. service academies in addition to seeking a nomination from Senator Ernst.
Applicants must excel in academics and extracurricular activity, demonstrate leadership traits, interest in the military, and meet physical fitness and medical standards as outlined by the U.S. service academies.
Admittance to a U.S. service academy is highly competitive and students are highly encouraged to apply to all academies in which they are interested.
Iowa high school students should also seek nominations from Senator Chuck Grassley, their member of Congress and the Vice President.
Information for Iowa students interested in applying to a U.S. service academy in 2024, for matriculation into the Class of 2029
Are you eligible?
Applicants seeking a nomination from Senator Ernst must be:
- A legal resident of Iowa OR a dependent of military service members that are Iowa residents
- A U.S. citizen
- Unmarried with no children or dependents
- At least 17 years old, but not older than 23 years of age on July 1, 2025 (Please note the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy requires applicants be not older than 25 years of age on July 1, 2025)
What do you need to apply?
Applicants seeking a nomination from Senator Ernst must complete an application and submit the completed application to our Des Moines office with the required supporting material listed below.
Required supporting material:
- High school transcript
- Recommendation letter from a teacher
- Two additional recommendation letters from Iowans
- 30-60 second video
- ACT or SAT test score
Please Note: ACT or SAT test scores must be sent directly to our Des Moines office by ACT (ID #7130) or SAT (ID #6287).
Please mail completed applications to our Des Moines office:
U.S. Senator Joni Ernst
Attn: Academy Coordinator
733 Federal Building
210 Walnut Street
Des Moines, IA 50309
Application deadline for the 2025-2026 school year:
October 25, 2024. Senator Ernst will announce nominations by January 2025.
Please Note: Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
Do you have further questions?
E-mail or call our Academy Coordinator in our Des Moines office: Academy@ernst.senate.gov or (515) 284-4574.
U.S. Service Academies
Please contact academies directly to obtain catalogs and other specific information.
Please note: The U.S. Coast Guard Academy does not require a congressional nomination to apply.
Academy
Director of Admissions
Colorado Springs, CO 80840
Phone: (800) 443-9266
Admissions Office
Kings Point, NY 11024
Phone: (800) 732-6267
USCG Admissions Office
New London, CT 06320
Phone: (800) 883-8724
Director of Candidate Guidance
Annapolis, MD 21408
Phone: (410) 293-1858
Admissions Office
West Point, NY 10996
Phone: (800) 822-ARMY
