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The Right Start for Your Finances

The Right Start for Your Finances

Our exclusive offers and low 0.75% APR on Career Kickoff Loans for Academy can help you reach your goals.Footnote 1

Join to become a member

Great Rates and Rewards

Building a strong financial foundation is important. That’s why we offer juniors and seniors attending a service academy special rates and incentives. It’s easy to get started.

Your Exclusive Offers

You can apply in minutes by visiting a branch.

  • Career Kickoff Loan for Academy

    If you need a loan to get started, we offer a low 0.75% APR on a 60-month loan of up to $36,000. We’ll even defer your payments until 90 days after you graduate.Footnote 1

  • GO REWARDS® Credit Card

    Open a GO REWARDS card and enjoy a 0% intro APR for 6 months from account opening on purchases, and on balance transfers made within your first 60 days. After that, our lowest variable APR of 10.99% will apply.Footnote 2

  • Free Active Duty Checking®

    Get up to $240 a year in ATM fee rebates,Footnote 3 free military checks and early access to military pay with direct deposit.

Your Member Benefits

Once you become a member, you’re part of our family. We’re dedicated to providing you all the support you need to reach your financial goals along with the banking experience you deserve.

Membership Is a Big Deal

Our members could earn and save $461Footnote 4 per year by banking with us. See how you can take advantage of your new membership perks.

Learn More about some of your new membership perks.

Navigating Life in the Military

From transitioning into and out of military life, to being deployed and living overseas, your life is unique. Here are some resources to help you out, no matter where you are.

Learn More about our commitment to military life.

We Serve Where You Serve

Finding a nearby branch or no-fee ATM couldn’t be easier. Use our locator tool to find one close to you.

Learn More about our branch locator tool to find one near you.

Career Kickoff Loan FAQs

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:

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® FAQs

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.

Disclosures

1

Credit subject to approval. Loan available to juniors and seniors enrolled in U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Coast Guard Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, U.S. Military Academy, or U.S. Naval Academy.  Maximum loan amount of $36,000 at 0.75% APR; maximum term of 60 months. Repayment may be deferred until 90 days after graduation. Interest accrues from the date the loan is disbursed. Applicant must establish and maintain a Navy Federal checking account with direct deposit of pay within 90 days of the loan date and throughout the term of the loan. If direct deposit is not maintained, or if the member separates from the academy early, the interest rate on the loan will convert to the applicable credit tier’s prevailing personal loan rate. Payments on the loan begin immediately upon early separation from the academy. See loan agreement for additional terms and conditions. Example: A junior takes out a $36,000 Career Kickoff Loan 21 months before graduation and defers repayment until 3 months following graduation. The loan has an APR of 0.75% and a term of 60 months. The finance charge on the loan is $1,218, resulting in a monthly payment of $620.30 and a total repayment amount of $37,218.

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2

 As of 07/13/2025, a rate of 10.99% APR will apply and vary with the market based on the U.S. Prime Rate. ATM cash advance fees: None if performed at a Navy Federal branch or ATM. Otherwise, $0.50 per domestic transaction or $1.00 per foreign transaction. Balance transfer offer: Offer valid for balances transferred from non-Navy Federal credit cards within 60 days of account opening. Balances transferred are not eligible to earn rewards. Maximum total transfer amount is limited to your available credit line. Balance transfers using convenience checks are excluded from this offer. If you transfer a balance with this offer, interest will be charged on purchases made with your credit card unless your purchases have a 0% APR or you pay the entire balance (including any transferred balances) in full each month by the payment due date. Limit of one promotional offer at account opening. Navy Federal reserves the right to end or modify this offer at any time. 

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3

Up to $20.00 in ATM fee rebates per statement period.

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4

Dollar value shown represents the results of the 2024 Navy Federal Member Giveback Study. The Member Giveback Study takes into consideration internal market analyses comparing Navy Federal products with industry national averages, as well as discounts, incentives, and other savings.

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5Navy Federal Credit Union was included in 9 Best VA Lenders in 2025 by money.com.

 

6Note: To be eligible for Military Choice, at least one borrower must be Active Duty, reservist, or a Veteran. All Choice loans require a 1.00% origination fee, which may be waived for a 0.25% increase in the interest rate. All Choice loans are subject to a funding fee of 1.75% of the loan amount. This funding fee may be financed up to the maximum allowed loan amount, or the fee may be waived for a 0.375% increase in the interest rate. Purchase loans require no down payment in most states. LTV restrictions apply to refinance and non-primary residence loans. All loans subject to approval.