They actually have to supply their own uniforms, books, etc., but they get paid each month by the US government. When I was at the USCGA we put everything on a "white card" and our monthly pay was debited. Each year we put less on it because your first semester buys almost all the uniforms you will need during your time there. As freshmen we got about $90 a month of our money back after debt payments, but as each year passed we got more of our money back. By our senior years were making enough for a reasonable car payment, and boy did all the dealerships eat up the seniors as soon as they were allowed to buy a car.