Rep. Laurel Lee Announces 2026 U.S. Service Academy Nomination Process

Tampa, FL - Today, Congresswoman Laurel Lee announced the opening of the 2026 U.S. Service Academy nomination application process for students interested in attending one of the nation's prestigious military service academies.

Each year, Members of Congress have the honor of nominating outstanding young men and women to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. These institutions prepare future military leaders committed to serving our nation with honor and distinction.

"As a Member of Congress, one of my greatest privileges is nominating exceptional young people from Florida's 15th Congressional District to attend our nation's service academies,"said Rep. Laurel Lee."These students represent the very best of our community through their leadership, academic achievement, and commitment to serving others. I encourage every eligible student who is interested in serving our country to apply."

To help students and families learn more about the nomination process and opportunities available at the service academies, Rep. Lee will host Service Academy Day on Saturday, September 12, 2026, from 9 am to 12 pm at the University of South Florida's CW Bill Young JMLC Building, located at 12303 USF Genshaft Drive, Tampa, FL 33620. Representatives from each service academy, military officials, and congressional staff will be available to answer questions and provide guidance throughout the application process. Those interested in attending are encouraged to RSVP here. If you have any issues registering, please reach out to [email protected].

Applications for a congressional nomination are open and must be submitted by September 26, 2026, at midnight.

Selected applicants will be invited to interview with Rep. Lee's team on November 7, 2026.

Students interested in applying or attending Service Academy Day can find additional information on Rep. Lee's website here.