1. The United States Coast Guard (USCG) requests posts invite nominations of international candidates to the United States Coast Guard Academy (USCGA) Class of 2023 (cadets enter in June 2019). While there is no limit to the number of international candidates a country may nominate, the USCGA is limited statutorily to a maximum of 36 international cadets. Presently a total of 31 international cadets are enrolled at the USCGA with four expected to graduate in May 2019, so nine vacancies are anticipated for this entering class.

2. The USCGA requests that the Embassy please present the following text (paras 3-19) to appropriate government officials and work through sponsoring government/military agencies to determine the best possible candidates. Due to the differences in government organization in each country, this information should be brought to the attention of all Embassy sections for the widest possible dissemination, especially to government/military agencies. The USCG missions of ports, waterways, and coastal security, drug interdiction, aids to navigation, search and rescue, living marine resources, marine safety, defense readiness, migrant interdiction, marine environmental protection, ice operations, and law enforcement are often performed by more than one agency within a country.  Please advise both USCG International Affairs (email POC in para 21) and the USCGA (email POC in para 20) concerning responses received after presenting this program to those government agencies.

3. The USCGA, one of the five federal service academies, offers an outstanding four-year program with an intensive undergraduate curriculum leading to a Bachelor of Science degree. This program, coupled with military and leadership training, enables graduates to assume responsible roles as officers in the USCG or, in the case of international cadets, the comparable maritime or government service of their host countries. Many navies throughout the world share common missions with the USCG. The USCGA curriculum is weighted heavily toward mathematics, science and engineering courses. International cadets must have excellent English skills as all instruction is provided in English. The Academy offers the following nine majors:

A. Civil Engineering
B. Cyber Systems
C. Electrical Engineering
D. Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering
E. Operations Research
F. Marine and Environmental Sciences
G. Government
H. Mechanical Engineering
I. Management

The Academy program also consists of formal classroom training in subjects such as navigation and law enforcement, supplemented by summer programs that include general shipboard and aviation training, seagoing experience aboard the USCG training ship Barque Eagle, military training, and other operational experience.

4. An integral part of the USCGA program is a rigorous physical education and physical fitness program which demands that candidates arrive in good physical condition able to run, swim, and perform calisthenics. During the first weeks of training at the USCGA, all cadets take a physical fitness test and cadets scoring below the minimum passing score risk disenrollment. It is strongly recommended that government sponsoring agencies administer a physical fitness and swimming test to all candidates using the USCGA's physical fitness requirements prior to sponsoring the candidate. These requirements will be made available upon request by the USCGA point of contact in paragraph 20.

5. To allow international cadets an opportunity to better integrate knowledge and experience they have acquired at the USCGA with their own country's needs and their future duties, host countries may wish to have their cadet return home during the summer between the second class and first class (third and fourth) year in lieu of the programmed ten week training period. The cadet's government is required to pay all travel and other costs associated with this effort.

6. International cadets are subject to applicable USCGA regulations covering class attendance, discipline, resignation, and graduation requirements. International cadets are not entitled to a commission in the USCG after graduation. The sponsoring country must certify in writing that individuals, upon graduation, will serve in the Coast Guard, Navy, or other maritime related government service of their host country. The extent of such duty will be considered when reviewing candidates.

7. Nominations: Candidates must be formally sponsored by their government through the U.S. diplomatic missions.  Government agencies/military services should provide the U.S. Defense Attach (or other Embassy official) with a list of approved candidates. An endorsement letter from the sponsoring government agency/military service is required for each candidate. No provisions exist for attendance of unsponsored students, even those willing to pay all expenses and fees.

8. Requirements: Candidates for the Class of 2023 are required to meet the following requirements:

A. Age: Candidates must have reached their seventeenth but not their twenty-third birthday by 01 July 2019.

B. Standardized Exams: Candidates must take either the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or American College Test (ACT).

1) SAT:
(a) a minimum of 600 on the Math portion is recommended.
(b) a minimum of 600 on the Reading portion is recommended.

2) ACT:
(a) a minimum of 26 on the Math portion is recommended.
(b) a minimum of 27 on the English portion is recommended.

C. Language Assessment: In countries where English is not the primary language, candidates must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A score of 560 on the ITP (paper-based test) or 90 iBT (computer-based test) is recommended. In some situations, the English Comprehension Level (ECL) may be administered in lieu of the TOEFL. A minimum score of 80 is required on the ECL.

D. Dependents: Candidates must not have any legal dependents. Candidates must not be married.

E. Interview: Once requirements A through D have been met, all candidates are to be interviewed by the U.S. Defense Attach (or other Embassy official) prior to the submission of the candidate's application package to the USCGA point of contact listed in paragraph 20. At the interview, candidates are required to present a certified high school transcript. The interviewer will evaluate the candidate's high school performance, English skills, activities, evidence of physical fitness, and the candidates government sponsoring agency endorsement.  Interviewers must provide detailed written comments regarding the candidates grasp of the English language and the applicants ability to handle the rigorous academic and physical requirements of a U.S. federal service academy.

F. Forms: A procedures manual and nomination/application package is available upon request via e-mail from the USCGA point of contact in paragraph 20. Additional information about the selection process, physical fitness exam, and medical requirements can be found at https://www.uscga.edu/international-cadets/ and https://www.uscga.edu/apply/

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

1. Procedure Manual USCGA International Cadet Program Application Process

2. International Cadet Program Application Class of 2023

3. International Cadet Physical Fitness Examination

4. For International Applicants Application Form

5. Transcript of Records (TOR)- at least with GWA of 90.00

6. School Diploma

7. Personal History Statement

8. Letter of Intent

DEADLINE OF SUBMISSION OF REQUIREMENTS: 29 NOVEMBER 2018

9. It is the candidate's responsibility to verify dates that the nearest testing center will administer each examination and to register directly with the appropriate testing agency. The USCGA must be named as one of the colleges to receive the test scores (Director of Admissions, U.S. Coast Guard Academy, New London, CT 06320). Past experience shows that early application for SAT, ACT and TOEFL exams is essential. Further assistance by the U.S. Defense Attach (or other Embassy official) may be necessary to complete the application process. 10. 2018-2019 international registration deadlines and test dates:

A. SAT:
1) Registration deadline of 07 Sep 18 for the 06 Oct 18 test date
2) Registration deadline of 02 Nov 18 for the 01 Dec 18 test date
3) Registration deadline of 08 Feb 19 for the 09 Mar 19 test date

(results from March test date are only acceptable if previous test results are received by 01 March 2019)

Students can register at https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/register/international. The USCGA code number for the SAT exam is 5807.

B. ACT:
1) Registration deadline of 28 Sep 18 for the 26 Oct 18 test date
2) Registration deadline of 02 Nov 18 for the 07 Dec 18 test date
3) Registration deadline of 11 Jan 19 for the 08 Feb 19 test date

Students can register at https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act-non-us.html The USCGA code number for the ACT exam is 0600.

C. TOEFL: The TOEFL has gone to a computer based testing program. Candidates must contact their local testing center to schedule an exam. Contact information for testing centers can be found at https://www.ets.org/toefl The USCGA code number for the TOEFL is 5807.

11. The cost of instruction at the USCGA is approximately 97,000 dollars annually. This includes cadet pay, which is applied towards books, uniforms, food and a monthly allowance. While at the USCGA, international cadets receive the same pay and allowances as their U.S. counterparts.

12. Sponsoring countries are strongly encouraged to present candidates regardless of budgetary constraints. Tuition waivers are routinely granted at the discretion of the USCGA Comptroller. Sponsoring countries are required to request tuition waivers through the USCGA point of contact listed in paragraph 20.

13. Any international cadet who does not satisfy the USCGA's graduation requirements after the normal four-year period is subject to automatic disenrollment and is given a certificate of completion in lieu of a diploma. If the sponsoring country is willing to pay for the cadet's additional time at the USCGA, the cadet may seek an extension in order to complete the
requirements to graduate.

14. Tuition & Travel: The USCG will not waive the costs associated with an international cadet's travel to and from (or shipment of personal belongings to and from) the USCGA during their four-year course of study. A one-time initial deposit of 3,000 dollars is required to cover the cost of a personal computer, issue of uniforms, military gear and educational support services. The deposit may be waived, sponsoring countries are required to request deposit waivers through the USCGA point of contact listed in paragraph 20, if paying it presents a barrier to a candidates participation in the program.

15. English language training in the host country is recommended prior to reporting to the USCGA to aid the candidate's transition into the rigorous academic schedule at the USCGA. The host country is responsible for the cost of any additional English language tutoring or other educational support services required if the candidate arrives with insufficient language skills.

16. All international cadets will be enrolled in TRICARE, the Department of Defenses health insurance carrier. Routine medical care will be provided at the USCGA regional Health, Safety and Worklife Clinic. Should the international cadet require more specialized care then TRICARE will be billed.

17. 2018-19 critical dates in the application process:

A.      Aug 18  Mar 19: Register and take the SAT/ACT and TOEFL exams
B.      01 Mar 19: Deadline for submission of completed candidate application packages by U.S. Defense Attach (or other Embassy official) to USCGA
C.      01 Apr 19: Notification of acceptance or non-acceptance
D.      01 May 19: Deadline for host countries to accept appointment offers
E.      01 May  10 Jun 19: International cadets coordinate travel arrangements, visa paperwork, confirmation of entrance deposit with USCGA
F.      24-25 Jun 19: International cadets report to USCGA for orientation
G.      01 Jul 19: Summer training program begins for Class of 2023

18. Candidate application packages may be submitted via e-mail to USCGA point of contact in paragraph 20.

19. Governments are also encouraged to identify promising candidates for the Class of 2024 (entering June 2020) and begin to complete the admissions requirements for early application in fall 2019.

20. USCGA POC: LT Brennan P. Dougherty, phone (860) 701-6753, fax (860) 701-6700, email: Brennan.P.Dougherty[at]uscga.edu.  For more information about the USCGA, visit https://www.uscga.edu

21. USCG International Affairs POC: Mr. Carlos Figueroa phone (202)
372-3029, fax (202) 372-4965, email: Carlos.A.Figueroa[at]uscg.mil or LT
Kiley Johnson, phone (202) 372-4475, email: Kiley.C.Johnson2[at]uscg.mil.
BT
#0001
NNNN

CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED/
Official
UNCLASSIFIED

PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD NOTE:

In lieu of TOEFL as stated in paragraph 9 C, the candidate may take the English Comprehension Level (ECL) Test which is administered at JUSMAG-Philippines, Aduana Building, Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City. Prior to ECL, the candidates must take the American Language Course Placement Test (ALCPT) which is administered every Tuesday at Speech Laboratory, 2nd Floor, AFP Command and General Staff College, Camp Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City. 

The candidates shall coordinate with the Philippine Coast Guard thru the Office of the Deputy Chief of Coast Guard Staff for Education and Training, CG-12 at contact number/s (02) 527-8481 local 6431 or at email address cThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for Official Endorsement.