SHIPS for America Act of 2025

51513. State Maritime Academy Sea Term Scholarship Programs

(a) In general. The Maritime Administrator shall work with private entities in the maritime industry to establish a scholarship program—

(1) for students at State maritime academies to offset expenses associated with completion of a summer sea term to receive sea-time required to earn a Coast Guard license; and

(2) which is entirely or predominantly funded through contributions from a private entity.

(b) Contributed funds. The Maritime Administrator shall enter into a cooperative agreement, or other agreement, with private entities in the maritime industry to accept funding from private entities for the purpose of establishing such a scholarship program. The cooperative agreement may include any terms considered necessary by the Maritime Administrator.

(c) Privileges. The Maritime Administrator may provide certain privileges to a private entity who contributes funds for a scholarship program under this section, including opportunities to provide information about employment opportunities with the private entity to students enrolled in the scholarship program.

(d) Structure. In establishing a scholarship program to offset expenses associated with a summer sea term—

(1) the Maritime Administrator may enter into an agreement with a student at a State maritime academy that has an agreement with the Secretary of Transportation under section 51505 of this title, to offset expenses associated with completion of a summer sea term; or

(2) the Maritime Administrator may enter into an agreement with a State maritime academy that has an agreement with the Secretary of Transportation under section 51505 of this title, to offset expenses for all students who participate in a summer sea term program.

(e) Relationship to financial assistance programs. Recognizing the need for licensed merchant mariners, the Maritime Administrator shall encourage participants of the financial assistance programs under part C of this subtitle, to enter into agreements under this section to establish scholarship programs to offset expenses associated with summer sea term.

(f) Requirements for students. Any student who benefits from a scholarship program under this section shall enter into an agreement with the Maritime Administrator which requires the student to—

(1) complete the course of instruction at the academy the individual is attending;

(2) obtain a merchant mariner license, without limitation as to tonnage or horsepower, from the Coast Guard as an officer in the merchant marine of the United States, accompanied by the appropriate national and international endorsements and certification required by the Coast Guard for service aboard vessels on domestic and international voyages, without limitation, within 3 months of completion of the course of instruction at the academy the individual is attending;

(3) serve in a position that supports the foreign and domestic commerce and the national defense of the United States for at least 1 year after graduation from the academy—

(A) as a merchant marine officer on a documented vessel or a vessel owned and operated by the United States Government or by a State; or

(B) as a commissioned officer on active duty in an Armed Force of the United States, as a commissioned officer in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or in other maritime-related Federal employment which serves the national security interests of the United States, as determined by the Maritime Administrator; and

(4) report to the Maritime Administrator on compliance with this subsection.

(g) Authorization of appropriations. There is authorized to be appropriated out of the Maritime Security Trust Fund, established under section 50301(b) of this title, $2,500,000 to carry out this section for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2035.

51513. State Maritime Academy Sea Term Scholarship Programs.