FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: August 3, 2026
Congressman Derek Schmidt Announces Service Academy Nomination Applications Now Open
TOPEKA – Congressman Derek Schmidt is now accepting applications for Kansas Second District students seeking a congressional nomination to attend one of the nation’s prestigious U.S. Service Academies.
“One of the greatest honors I have as a member of Congress is nominating outstanding young men and women from the Second District to our nation’s service academies,” Congressman Schmidt said. “These institutions develop the next generation of military leaders who are committed to serving our country with honor, integrity, and excellence. I encourage every eligible student who has a passion for leadership and a desire to serve our nation to apply.”
Members of Congress may nominate candidates to the following U.S. Service Academies:
- U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York
- U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland
- U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado
- U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York
To be eligible for a nomination, applicants must, as of July 1 of the year of admission:
- Be at least 17 years old but not yet 23.
- Be a United States citizen.
- Be unmarried with no legal obligation to support a child or dependent.
- Be a legal resident of Kansas’ Second Congressional District.
Completed nomination application materials must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. CT on October 15, 2026. Required materials include an online application, essay, recent photograph, résumé, official transcripts, standardized test score verification, and three letters of recommendation.
Applicants who submit a complete nomination file and meet all eligibility requirements will be invited to interview before Congressman Schmidt’s independent, nonpartisan Service Academy Nomination Board on Saturday, November 7, 2026.
Click here for more information about the application process.