Title 46 — ShippingRelease 119-73
§51510 Deferment of service obligation under student incentive payment agreements
Title 46 › Subtitle Subtitle V— - Merchant Marine › Part Part B— - Merchant Marine Service › Chapter CHAPTER 515— - STATE MARITIME ACADEMY SUPPORT PROGRAM › § 51510
Summary
Transport Secretary can defer a service obligation up to 2 years for approved graduate study. Active‑duty commissioned officers need military or Commerce Secretary approval (NOAA).
Full Legal Text
Title 46, §51510
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The Secretary of Transportation may defer the service commitment of an individual under section 51509(d)(5) of this title (as specified in the agreement under section 51509) for not more than 2 years if the individual is engaged in a graduate course of study approved by the Secretary. However, deferment of service as a commissioned officer on active duty must be approved by the Secretary of the affected military department (or the Secretary of Commerce, for service with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration).
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Historical and Revision Notes
Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 5151046 App.:1295c(g)(7).June 29, 1936, ch. 858, title XIII, § 1304(g)(7), as added Pub. L. 96–453, § 2, Oct. 15, 1980, 94 Stat. 2006; Pub. L. 97–31, § 12(145)(B), Aug. 6, 1981, 95 Stat. 166; Pub. L. 108–136, title XXXV, § 3515(d)(7), Nov. 24, 2003, 117 Stat. 1795. The words “affected military department” are substituted for “military department . . . which has jurisdiction over such service” for clarity and to eliminate unnecessary words.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
46 U.S.C. § 51510
Title 46 — Shipping
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73