Apply to AIM

If you are considering applying to a military service academy, interested in serving your country and identify with the guardian ethos of the Coast Guard, then you should apply for AIM.

Eligibility

AIM is exclusively for students about to begin their senior year of high school. To apply, you should be:

A U.S. citizen (dual citizenship is fine)
Between 16 and 18 years of age
Unmarried, not pregnant, and have no legal obligations to support anyone including a child
Physically fit, in good health, with weight proportional to height
Of good moral character
Academically successful with demonstrated leadership skill and achievement outside the classroom

Requirements

Application is free and online. Please have the following items handy when you start your application:

Your Bears Den login credentials (if you don’t have them, you will be prompted to create login credentials)
The name, address, and email address of a guidance counselor who will be asked to submit a recommendation. Recommendations not received by deadline will be waived due to the disruption many high schools are currently experiencing because of covid-19 closures.
Scanned copy of your recent high school transcript
Standardized test scores (optional)

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Applicant Selection

Because space is limited, some applicants are not selected to participate in AIM.

Those not selected for AIM are encouraged to accept the Academy’s invitation for priority registration to the fall season Cadet for a Day overnight program.

“I had my mind set on being a naval officer and attending the Naval Academy. AIM was a game changer for me; I honestly believe the Coast Guard is indisputably the best military service branch because of the opportunities and experiences it offers to hardworking, dedicated people.” Erin

31 Mohegan Avenue New London, CT 06320

Admissions: 800.883.USCG (8724)

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Sponsor Family Application

Thank you for submitting your application to be part of the Sponsor Family Program. Your application will be processed in the upcoming week. Coast Guard Academy’s policy on background screening now requires all adults (everyone 18 and older living in the home) who volunteer to mentor, teach, coach or sponsor cadets, whether on or off Coast Guard Academy grounds, to be screened every 5 years. They are required to provide personal information (name, birth date and social security number) for the purpose of conducting a criminal background check.

The Security Officer at the Coast Guard Academy, CWO2 Gina Polkowski, is overseeing this process. Her email is: Gina.M.Polkowski@uscg.mil.

Sponsor Family designations fall into several different categories. Below are the guidelines to help you determine how best to meet the background screening requirement:

If you are Coast Guard active duty you do not need to apply for an additional Background Check. You will be vetted through the Coast Guard system by CWO2 Polkowski.
If you are a Civilian working for the Coast Guard you do not need to apply for an additional Background Check. You will be vetted through the Coast Guard system by CWO2 Polkowski.
If you are non-Coast Guard Active Duty, you are required to provide proof of your current security clearance or National Agency Check that is to be emailed by your Command Security Officer (CSO)/ Security Office to CWO2 Polkowski at Gina.M.Polkowski@uscg.mil.
If you are non-Coast Guard civilian who has a current security clearance or National Agency check, you are required to provide proof of your current security clearance or National Agency Check that is to be emailed by your Command Security Officer (CSO)/ Security Office to CWO2 Polkowski at Gina.M.Polkowski@uscg.mil.
All civilians in the families who are 18 years or older and do not have a security clearance or a National Agency Check are required to be vetted through Mind Your Business, the third party vendor hired by the Coast Guard Academy for the vetting process.

After you complete your application, please e-mail the Sponsor Family Program Coordinator at CadetFamilySponsorProgram@uscga.edu. In your e-mail, you must include the e-mail address and phone number of every adult living in the home. The Sponsor Family Coordinator will then initiate the background check process and you will receive an email with further instructions.

Important things to note:

There is a Sponsor Family Training that is a one-hour training which we ask sponsors to attend once every four years. This training is designed to give you an overview of the program, what is expected of you as a sponsor, and what you can expect from your cadets. This training will also help familiarize you with the cadet regulations onboard CGA. You will be notified via e-mail once the training is scheduled.

The matching process of swabs to families will occur during July and August. Please bear with us and remain flexible through this process. There will be a meet and greet scheduled on Campus, typically in late August. This will give families an opportunity to formally meet their cadet if they have not already done so. Details on this will also be via email.