Offers and Discounts for Academy Members

Juniors and seniors currently attending the following military academies—and who are Navy Federal members—are eligible to apply:

• U.S. Air Force Academy
• U.S. Coast Guard Academy
• U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
• U.S. Military Academy at West Point
• U.S. Naval Academy

Applicants must be Navy Federal members. If you're not already a member, you can join today! Please note, the Career Kickoff Loan is only available to current students—not graduates.

Use one of the following options to apply:

• Over the phone at 1-888-842-6328
• In person at one of our branches
• Online via our document portal. Fill out an application and upload it into our Document Upload Portal using Career Kickoff Documents as the file type. 

You’ll need to provide:

• Branch of Service (Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps or Navy)
• Graduation Date
• Requested Loan Amount (up to $32,000)
• Phone Number 
• Email
• Proof of Enrollment (signed letter from Command)

Bring your Proof of Enrollment to your local branch or submit it online via our Document Upload Portal by following these steps:

• Sign in
• Choose Proof of Enrollment
• Select "Career Kickoff Documents" as the file type
• Click Submit

Yes, you must have direct deposit to your Navy Federal checking account set up for your military pay. This must be maintained throughout the life of the loan.

We'll try to provide you a decision within 24 hours. If you provided your email address during the application process, we'll send you a follow-up email with more details.

Yes. Email notifications are sent with directions on how to electronically sign your Promissory Note.

Your funds will be deposited into either your Navy Federal savings or checking account.

You won't have to make your first payment until 90 days after you get commissioned.

The money can be used for expenses such as buying uniforms, consolidating high-interest debt (credit cards, personal loans, etc.), paying off transition expenses or buying a car. 

No, you won't need a co-applicant to apply.

Yes, the application is subject to credit approval.

Free Active Duty Checking is designed for Active Duty and retired military personnel and reservists with a Defense Finance Accounting Service (DFAS) direct deposit. However, if you're a member between the ages of 18 and 24 and in the ROTC or OCS programs, the Free Campus Checking account is a great option to use until you enlist.

Your DFAS direct deposit makes you eligible for Free Active Duty Checking. Your direct deposit must post to your Free Active Duty Checking account within 90 days of account opening. If military direct deposit stops for more than 90 days, the account converts to a Free EveryDay Checking account.

You’ll have early access to your pay, rebates on ATM fees (up to $240 a year), no monthly service fees and free personalized checks.

No. There's no monthly service fee associated with Free Active Duty Checking.

No. There's no minimum balance requirement to open the Free Active Duty Checking account.

A qualifying military direct deposit of net pay must post to your Free Active Duty Checking account within 90 days of account opening. If the military direct deposit stops for more than 90 days, the account simply converts to a Free EveryDay Checking account.

Yes. It's easy to change to a different checking account.