Thanks for the reply Getmo. If I’m not mistaking when called SIU I asked what the fees were and she told me just $425 for uniforms and of course we have to pay to get there. I live about 4 hours away driving distance from there but they do not allow students to have there cars there… So I suppose flying will be my only option, yet another expense.
I wonder do we have to pay for the medical fees or do they pay it. Also my uncle has a friend who had 2 sons who went to this school and they said it wasn’t a good experience but I believe it’s different for everyone and to be honest what can be so bad about free training and a job after graduation sailing as an AB on one of there ships.
I was also told by the lady on the phone we have to have a passport as well so I went down yesterday to the post office and should have one in about 3 weeks. I have not yet taken my BST yet as I have spent every dime I have getting my Twic, Z-Card and passport up to this point.
I’m not giving up in my search for work but it looks as though the apprenticeship program from SIU may be the right choice to at least get a step in the right direction.
My goal is to work on deep sea vessels, tankers and so forth. Keep me posted on what you plan on doing.