A bipartisan bill originally cosponsored by U.S. Sen. Todd Young (R-IN) to modify the age requirements for the Student Incentive Payment Program, which provides financial support to cadets who attend one of six state maritime academies and commit to a post-graduation service obligation, recently became law.
“Our maritime academies play an important but often overlooked role in our national security,” Sen. Young said on July 10. “Our bipartisan CADETS Act expands the eligibility age for maritime cadets to offset their tuition, living costs, and uniforms through the Student Incentive Payment Program as they serve our country. I’m glad to see this become law.”
President Joe Biden on June 30 signed into law the Changing Age-Determined Eligibility to Student Incentive Payments (CADETS) Act, S. 467, which is sponsored by U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) and four other original cosponsors to expand the age eligibility for the Maritime Administration’s Student Incentive Payment Program.
Currently, Student Incentive Payment Program age requirements prohibit cadets older than 25 from participating in the program, including former military veterans and service members recruited by State Maritime Academies who may qualify for the program, according to a bill summary provided by Sen. Young’s office.
Under the enacted bill, the higher age eligibility change will allow cadets, in return for their commitment to serve, to receive up to $32,000 in incentive payment funding over four years to help offset the cost of tuition, uniforms, books, and living costs, the summary says.
“This law will encourage more cadets to continue serving our country after graduation, which will also help strengthen our state’s robust maritime sector and national security,” said Sen. Peters.
The bill passed the U.S. Senate in May and then in June was approved by the U.S. House of Representatives. U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman (R-MI) led companion legislation in the U.S. House.