mobile domain:mobile.usaa.com
Skip to Content

Begin your journey with a Career Starter Loan.

Launch your military career with the money you need at a lower interest rate.

Apply now for a career starter loan

Get up to $36,000 at 0.75% APR.‍ ‍ See note 1

Take advantage of our exclusive rates for pre-commissioned and newly commissioned officers.

Use the money how you want.

Your loan is flexible, so you can use it almost any way you want. You just can’t use it to pay for education expenses.

Buy a car.

You could save on auto loan interest when you buy a car with the money from a Career Starter Loan.

Pay off credit card debt.

Pay down debt faster when you use the loan to consolidate high interest credit cards.

Build your savings.

Grow your emergency fund or start saving for a big purchase with money from the loan.

Pay for military uniforms.

Costs to buy uniforms can add up. Get the gear you need with help from the loan.

What you need to apply for a Career Starter Loan

First, you’ll need a USAA Classic Checking account. If you need help applying for an account, you can call 800-531-4610.

When you apply for a loan, have your income, housing and commissioning info ready.

Apply now for a career starter loan 

Career Starter Loan FAQ

You can apply from the start of your junior year at the academy up until 1 year after your commission date.

If you’re still in the academy when you get the loan, we’ll defer payments up to 90 days after your class commission date.

If you’ve already commissioned, we’ll defer the payment up to 60 days after you get your loan. 

Launch your military career with tools, tips and more.

We’ve got advice and resources that can help you as you start your military career.

Go to advice for more information on launching your military career

Other things to consider

Credit cards

If you’re interested in getting a credit card, look over our options to find the right one.

Explore credit cards

Renters insurance

If you attend a service academy, we can help cover personal belongings like your academy-issued laptop, class ring and more.

Learn more about renters insurance

Related footnotes:

  1. Investment and Insurance Products are:

    • Not Insured by the FDIC or Any Federal Government Agency
    • Not a Deposit or Other Obligation of, or Guaranteed by, the Bank
    • Subject to Investment Risks, Including Possible Loss of the Principal Amount Invested

Related footnotes:

  1. Loan is available to academy cadets and midshipmen. Academy cadets and midshipmen are eligible to apply for the loan starting the beginning of their junior year in the Academy. Newly commissioned officers are eligible to apply for the loan within one year after commissioning. USAA Federal Savings Bank checking account is required to apply for a Career Starter loan.

    Loan payments will be deferred from the date of loan closing up to 90 days after Academy class commissioning date used at application or up to 60 days after loan closing date if already commissioned.

    Finance charges will accrue during the deferral period. If an academy midshipman's or cadet's commission date is pushed back or delayed, the first  payment deferral period cannot be extended.

    Payment Example: A 60-month Career Starter loan with an annual percentage rate (APR) of 0.75% and a first payment deferral period of one year would have monthly payments of $17.11 per one thousand dollars borrowed (One year means 365 days and is used here for the purpose of calculating an example payment. Deferral period may be longer or shorter depending on contract date, commission date and other factors.). Payment amount may vary based on length of deferral period.

Related footnotes:

  1. Obtaining insurance from USAA is optional, and has no effect on any credit applications or terms of credit with USAA Federal Savings Bank, and can be acquired from other sources.

  2. Membership eligibility and product restrictions apply and are subject to change.

  3. Renters insurance provided by United Services Automobile Association, USAA Casualty Insurance Company, USAA General Indemnity Company, Garrison Property and Casualty Insurance Company, based in San Antonio, Texas; USAA S.A. (Europe), and USAA S.A. UK Branch (United Kingdom), and is available only to persons eligible for property and casualty group membership. Each company has sole financial responsibility for its own products.

    Coverages subject to the terms and conditions of the policy.

  4. USAA Federal Savings Bank offers deposit, credit card, consumer lending, mortgage, and other banking products and services. USAA Federal Savings Bank is a Member of FDIC. Credit card, mortgage and other lending products not FDIC-insured.

6837207