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

To request a Military Academy Nomination from our office, please review the below information prior to submitting your application.

Applications to U.S. Military Academies: 

All applicants should contact each academy for which they are applying to complete a pre- candidate questionnaire before our office’s October 15th application deadline. Once submitted to the academy, they will apprise you of any special physical, medical or academic requirements particular to their institution. Information for U.S. Military Academies utilizing Congressional nominations can be found below:

• U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado (www.usafa.edu)
• U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, New York (www.usmma.edu)
• U.S. Military Academy, West Point, New York (www.usma.edu)
• U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland (www.usna.edu)

Candidates can apply online at the respective service academy website. If you meet the minimum eligibility and entrance requirements, the academy will forward a formal application package. You should return all requested materials as directed by the academy as quickly as possible. If you are considered an “official” candidate by the academy, you will be scheduled for a medical examination by the Department of Defense Medical Review Board (DODMERB). You will also complete a Candidate Fitness Assessment (CFA).

Documents required by the office of Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski: 

In addition to an application directly to a service academy, the following documents will be required for candidates seeking a service academy nomination through the office of Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski: 

• Application Google Form: https://forms.gle/t6ebJf8uZk4iiFA27
• Resume and list of activities: Summarize interscholastic athletics, school activities, community involvement (volunteer or work experience), awards and honors, and any other activities you find noteworthy. Include specific leadership positions and recognitions of achievement, as well as dates of involvement in each activity.
• Personal Statement: 300 words or less outlining why you want to attend a U.S. service academy.
• Three recommendation letters: The most impactful character letters are usually completed by counselors, principals, teachers, religious leaders, coaches, employers, or community leaders. A successful application should have two personal recommendation letters. Applicants should be mindful that personal recommendation letters are the most common cause of delays in scheduling nomination interviews.
• Official copy of high school transcript
• Official copy of college transcript (if applicable)
• Official copy of SAT/ACT scores 

Your application, transcript(s), test scores, recommendations, resume, and personal essay, must be sent as attachments in ONE email to budzinski.nominations@mail.house.gov or through the mail to our office address below. Your letters of recommendation may be sent separately if needed.

Office of U.S. Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski 

Attn: Service Academy

409 Belt Line Rd. Suite 110

Collinsville, IL 62234

The answers to frequently asked questions can be found here. 

The deadline to submit applications is October 15th, 2026 at 11:59 pm CDT. Please call my Collinsville office at (618) 212-7333 or email budzinski.nominations@mail.house.gov if you need assistance during the application process.