Members of Congress may nominate a limited number of applicants who meet the eligibility requirements established by law. A candidate may seek a nomination from the following:
o A member of the U.S. House of Representatives who represents the congressional district in which the candidate resides.
o Both U.S. Senators from his or her state.
o The Vice-President of the United States.

Each applicant for a nomination must meet the following eligibility requirements as of July 1st of the year of admission to an academy:
o Age: Be at least 17 years old, but not have passed the 23rd birthday
o Citizenship: Must be a U.S. citizen
o Marital Status: Must be unmarried, not pregnant, and without legal obligation to support children or other dependents.
o Residence: Must reside within the boundaries of the 2nd Congressional District of Virginia.
o Skill / Fitness: Must meet the medical, physical, and academic requirements of the Academy.

For the Class of 2031 (2026 nomination year), all application materials must be received by the district office by October 23rd, 2026, by 5:00pm EST. No applications received after this date will be considered for a nomination. This includes any nomination packets postmarked prior to this date that are received after October 23rd. Please contact the Congresswoman’s Virginia Beach Office for additional information.

To request a nomination, please fill out an initial application on the Congresswoman’s website at https://kiggans.house.gov/service-academy-nominations. Once your initial request is received, you will receive a formal nomination application packet via email outlining required documents that must be received to complete your application.

Please contact the Virginia Beach District Office with any questions you may have about your application at (757) 364-7650.

Once you complete the online form to request an initial application, you will receive an email detailing required documents to complete your application including:
o Letters of recommendation (3)
o High School Transcript(s)
o College transcripts (if applicable)
o Standardized Test Results
o Essay
o Resume of your accomplishments, employment history, and extracurricular activities
o List of the service academies you are applying to, as well as the type of nominations you are applying for (Senatorial, Presidential, JROTC, etc.)
o A recent, professional photograph of yourself (optional)

Hard copies of final nominations files should be sent by mail or in person to Congresswoman Kiggans’ Virginia Beach office at:
283 Constitution Drive
Suite 900
Virginia Beach, VA 23462

Applicants who submit a completed nomination file will be scheduled for an in-person interview in November or December.

U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York
Admissions Office
Building 606
West Point, NY 10996
(845) 938-4041
https://www.westpoint.edu/admissions

U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland
Admissions Office
52 King George St.
Annapolis, MD 21402
(410) 293-1858
https://www.usna.edu/Admissions/

U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs
Admissions Office
HQ, USAFA/RR
2304 Cadet Drive Suite 2300
USAF Academy, CO 80840
(800) 443-9266
https://www.academyadmissions.com/

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York
Admissions Office
300 Steamboat Road
Kings Point, NY 11024
(516) 726-5646
https://www.usmma.edu/admissions

U.S. Coast Guard Academy at New London, Connecticut
Admissions Office
31 Mohegan Ave.
New London, CT 06320
(800) 883-8724
https://uscga.edu/admissions/

No. Although many of the qualifications are similar, each academy operates under its own admissions guidelines. Visit the academy of your choice via the websites noted for each academy’s particular admissions qualifications. It is not necessary to seek a nomination to the Coast Guard Academy, as the U.S.C.G.A. accepts candidates based on their own testing criteria.

Yes, the academy application is separate from the nomination process. Our office only uses the candidate’s information to select individuals for nomination. Each candidate is required to apply at their desired academy.

Each academy is different. Just like colleges and universities, the academies have differing sizes and programs. A candidate should look at class size, location, degree programs, and future intent when deciding on where to apply.

Sources that applicants typically seek recommendations from include:
o Teachers, Counselors, Employers, Coaches, Clergy members, Scout Leaders

A specific recommendation form is not required. A letter of recommendation is sufficient.

No. You will be placed among a select group of nominees, and the academy of your choice will make the final decision. If selected, you will receive an offer of admission (an appointment) directly from the academy.

No. You can be nominated to multiple academies. It is also possible to win multiple appointments. However, both of those scenarios are dependent on how competitive the pool of candidates is any given year.

Yes. By completing an application, you agree for your name will be included in a press release noting Congresswoman Kiggans’ nomination selections.

Academies will begin to notify candidates of their admission status in February, but it may vary from one to another. All offers of appointment are generally sent out by May