SUNY Chancellor King Highlights Second Class of Participants in SUNY Maritime Pay It Forward Fund
May 22, 2026
64 Students Participating in 2026 Summer Sea Term Through the Support of the Pay It Forward Fund, Growing from 18 in 2025
Pay It Forward Fund Initiative Helps SUNY Maritime Students Participate in Summer Sea Term via Financial Assistance and Supportive Services; Photo of the Class is available Here
Albany, NY — State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr. today highlighted the second class of participants in the SUNY Maritime Pay It Forward Fund. The initiative provides financial assistance and supportive services for students participating in the Summer Sea Term. This year, through the support of the Pay It Forward Fund, 64 SUNY Maritime students are participating in the 2026 Summer Sea Term, which runs from May through July.
The Summer Sea Term provides SUNY Maritime students with hands-on experience working on, sailing, and powering a marine vessel. The training is a requirement for U.S Coast Guard licenses, but can cost close to $45,000 per student over three summers, which can be a major recruitment challenge for the school, and a significant financial challenge for many students from low-income backgrounds. The Pay It Forward Fund is part of SUNY’s efforts to fill maritime workforce gaps, increase access to economic mobility, and help Pell-eligible New York State resident students pay for the costs of the Summer Sea Term.
"SUNY Maritime’s Summer Sea Term opens the doors to upward mobility by preparing our students for high-paying, in-demand careers in the maritime industry," said SUNY Chancellor King. "The Pay It Forward Fund is a vital resource that allows more students to access the Summer Sea Term with fewer financial barriers. SUNY is proud of the growth of the program, and we look forward to seeing how it continues to support our students, and the maritime industry as they search for highly skilled graduates."
SUNY Board Trustee Marcos Crespo said, "The SUNY Maritime Pay It Forward Fund has served as an essential resource for students beginning their journey to careers in the maritime industry. We thank Governor Hochul and the State Legislature, especially local leaders State Senator Nathalia Fernandez and State Assemblymember Michael Benedetto, for their continued support and investment in SUNY Maritime, and all of our campuses and students."
SUNY Maritime President Rear Admiral John Okon said, "We are grateful for the State’s strong and sustained support of SUNY Maritime College and our Cadets, support that directly expands access and drives success. This commitment includes initiatives like the Pay It Forward Fund (PIFF), which provides student-friendly financing for the transformational experiences of Summer Sea Term and Cadet Shipping, requirements that can otherwise present significant financial barriers. At a time when the need for U.S. Coast Guard–licensed Mariners is greater than ever, these State-backed efforts ensure that qualified Cadets can complete the hands-on learning essential to earning their licenses. By investing in our students, New York is investing in the future of the maritime workforce and strengthening a pipeline of skilled leaders vital to both economic prosperity and national security."
The SUNY Maritime Pay It Forward Fund was launched for the 2025 Summer Sea Term, with an initial group of 18 students benefiting from the program. This year, 64 SUNY Maritime students are benefiting from the initiative for the 2026 term. To date, 82 students have been served by the initiative. Through strong support from Governor Kathy Hochul, state legislative leaders, and area representatives State Senator Nathalia Fernandez and State Assemblymember Michael Benedetto, the fund was established to benefit up to 200 students over four years by providing students with 0% interest, $0 fee outcomes-based loans, with loan repayments from students or employers recycling to support future students.
Under the Pay It Forward model, public and philanthropic funds are used to support education, training, and supportive services for learners. After training, learners who land jobs earning above a certain income threshold repay outcomes-based loans, or an employer may repay on their behalf. Then, learner and employer repayments are "paid forward" to support the next cohort of learners, extending the impact of each dollar invested in the Fund and broadening the maritime talent pipeline. By using a recycling loan fund structure, the school will serve more students than a traditional scholarship program.
State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky, Chair of the Higher Education Committee said, "SUNY Maritime has a program called the Summer Sea Term, but the cost of nearly $45,000 puts a maritime career out of reach for too many students. The Pay It Forward Fund removes that barrier and then asks each graduate to make it possible for the next one. It is requirement for Coast Guard licensure. Eighteen students two years ago, sixty-four today. That is a model worth growing. SUNY Maritime is often overlooked and is an affordable option for students wishing to pursue a maritime career where almost every graduate has a well-paying job waiting. I thank Chancellor King and the fund's supporters for proving it works."
State Senator Nathalia Fernandez said, "The Summer Sea Term gives SUNY Maritime students the opportunity to see the world while gaining the hands-on experience needed to build successful careers in the maritime industry. Through the Pay It Forward Fund, more students are able to access this life-changing program without being held back by financial barriers. Congratulations to this year’s recipients and thank you to SUNY Maritime for continuing to expand opportunity for students pursuing careers at sea and beyond."
State Assemblymember Alicia L. Hyndman, Chair of the Assembly Higher Education Committee, said, "As Chair of the Assembly Higher Education Committee, my mandate is to ensure that financial barriers never lock a New York student out of a high-demand career. The SUNY Maritime Pay It Forward Fund is exactly the kind of innovative, outcomes-based investment our state needs to build a diverse, highly skilled maritime workforce. I commend Chancellor King and the SUNY system for ensuring that our low-income and Pell-eligible students have the hands-on training and financial backing they need to navigate their futures and succeed in the global economy."
State Assemblymember Michael Benedetto said, "As always, I am proud to have SUNY Maritime as a gem in my district. I am equally delighted to support programs like SUNY Maritime’s Pay It Forward Fund, which is creating transformative opportunities for students and strengthening New York’s maritime workforce."
SUNY Maritime’s 2026 Summer Sea Term began this month, with the state-of-the-art training ship Empire State VII departing from Fort Schuyler. The ship is scheduled to make stops in Charleston, South Carolina, Malaga, Spain, Belfast, United Kingdom, New York City, Albany, and Stapleton during the three-month term.
About SUNY Maritime
The State University of New York Maritime College has a rich history dating back to 1874 and is the oldest State Maritime Academy. Established as the New York Nautical School, it was the first institution in the United States to offer commercial nautical instruction. The school's creation was driven by a need for trained maritime professionals, especially after the Civil War. Initially, the school operated aboard the USS St. Mary's, a sloop-of-war acquired from the U.S. Navy. Over time, the curriculum evolved to include advanced subjects in navigation, engineering, and marine sciences. In 1907, the training vessel was replaced by the USS Newport, a sail-steam hybrid. Facing financial challenges, the State of New York assumed control of the institution in 1913, renaming it the New York State Nautical School. The school continued to grow, and in 1929, it became the New York State Merchant Marine Academy. A significant milestone occurred in 1938, when the academy relocated to the historic Fort Schuyler in the Bronx, NY, providing a permanent shore-based training facility. In 1949, the academy joined the State University of New York (SUNY) System, adopting its current name.
Maritime College is more than just an institution— it's the Peninsula of Opportunity and an engine of upward mobility. Maritime College offers a unique opportunity to Chart Your Course—a personalized experience where you select the path that aligns with your aspirations. Whether you choose to thrive in the structured, leadership-focused environment of the Regiment or enjoy the flexibility of the traditional student lifestyle, Maritime empowers you to shape your future both academically and professionally. On board Training Ship Empire State VII, and with more than a dozen undergraduate majors—including four ABET-accredited engineering programs, two master's degree options, and a renowned U.S. Coast Guard license program—Maritime College arms you with the skills to navigate, power, and operate the world's maritime industry. Beyond the classroom, Maritime fosters hands-on learning and leadership development with over 50 student clubs and organizations, 13 NCAA Division III teams, independent collegiate sports, and various programs, including the only Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program in New York City. The college's global alumni network offers unparalleled career connections and support. As higher education continues to evolve, Maritime College remains steadfast in its mission to develop the next generation of leaders who will navigate the future with integrity and vision. Our legacy, rooted in loyalty, valor, and leadership, will continue to guide us into the next 150 years. New York Maritime – First and Foremost.
About the State University of New York
The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive system of higher education in the United States, and more than 95 percent of all New Yorkers live within 30 miles of any one of SUNY’s 64 colleges and universities. Across the system, SUNY has four academic health centers, five hospitals, four medical schools, two dental schools, a law school, the country’s oldest school of maritime, the state's only college of optometry, 12 Educational Opportunity Centers, over 30 ATTAIN digital literacy labs, and manages one US Department of Energy National Laboratory. In total, SUNY serves about 1.7 million students across its portfolio of credit- and non-credit-bearing courses and programs, continuing education, and community outreach programs. SUNY oversees nearly a quarter of academic research in New York. Research expenditures system-wide are nearly $1.5 billion in fiscal year 2025, including significant contributions from students and faculty. There are more than three million SUNY alumni worldwide, and annually one in three New Yorkers who earn a college degree is a SUNY alum. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunities, visit suny.edu.
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