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A Comprehensive List of Cyber Security Scholarships

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A Comprehensive list of cyber security scholarships

Whether you’re just starting to scout out potential undergraduate majors, already a student of cyber security, are looking to return for a more advanced degree, or are a cyber security professional, you’re probably excited by the massive need for cyber security professionals in almost every sector. While this is a great boon to those already in the job market, there are a number of hurdles potential or current cyber security students will have to face before they’re ready for their payday. Assuming you have the drive to get into the world of cyber security, the biggest hurdle can often be the price of your degree. Luckily for you, the demand for qualified cyber security professionals is so great that there are many, many ways to obtain a cyber security degree paying close to nothing. From top technology firms, to state initiatives, to competitive fellowships through intelligence agencies and defense departments, there are many options for greatly lowering your cost of schooling. There are even a number of options for getting your tuition covered and a salary through school. Explore the scholarships below to find funding opportunities for every degree level as well as for professional certifications and events.

Key Takeaways:

  • Six funding options offer full tuition and some combination of a salary, stipend, and benefits.
  • Ten funding options offer full in-state public tuition rates or more.
  • Five funding options are only available to female candidates.
  • Three funding options are only available to veterans. While a number of war department fellowships offer additional incentives to service members.
  • A number of intelligence agency and defense-related fellowships offer preferential treatment of applicants who have mastered in-demand foreign languages.

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Veterans
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CIA Undergraduate Scholarship Program

$18,000 + Salary
EDUCATION LEVELS OFFERED AT:
Bachelors
DEMOGRAPHICS AVAILABLE FOR:
All
Many internship programs available to exact academic paths/interest. Generally speaking, cyber security degree seeking students may pursue positions at the CIA in STEM, Clandestine, Analysis, or Enterprise and Support Roles. Must apply senior year in high school. Rigorous application process includes polygraph, mental health evaluation, financial need, background checks, high academic marks, abstinence from drugs, and more. Successful applicants will be provided a salary as well as have tuition covered up to a certain price. Successful applicants will work at the CIA in summers and continue to work for the CIA after graduation.
HOW TO APPLY

ICMCP Black Hat Scholarship

$50,000 in value
EDUCATION LEVELS OFFERED AT:
Bachelors, Masters, Doctorate, Professional
DEMOGRAPHICS AVAILABLE FOR:
All
Applicants may be students or cyber security professionals who are members of the ICMCP (free to join). Judging of applicants will occur based on a 1,000 word or less white paper on a cyber security challenge and how to surmount that challenge, as well as a one page write up on the significance of the paper. Awards are full Briefings passes, transportation, accommodations, and a customized onsite experience to the Black Hat USA conference. The total experience is valued at close to $50,000.
HOW TO APPLY

NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program

$46,000 in value
EDUCATION LEVELS OFFERED AT:
Masters, Doctorate
DEMOGRAPHICS AVAILABLE FOR:
All
US Citizens, Nationals, or permanent resident aliens eligible. Must be pursuing graduate level research in STEM fields. Awardees may pursue their research at any US government lab or institution of higher learning they choose. This is an extremely prestigious appoinment, as evidinced by the 42 past fellows who have gone on to become Nobel Laureates in STEM fields.
HOW TO APPLY

Center for Cyber Safety and Education Women’s Scholarship

$40,000
EDUCATION LEVELS OFFERED AT:
Bachelors, Masters, Doctorate
DEMOGRAPHICS AVAILABLE FOR:
Women
Must have greater than a 3.2 GPA. No residency requirements. Must be studying or planning to study in an information assurance field. C/V, references, transcripts, and a statement of purpose required for application. May be studying part of full time in person or online.
HOW TO APPLY

National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship

Tuition + Stipend
EDUCATION LEVELS OFFERED AT:
Doctorate
DEMOGRAPHICS AVAILABLE FOR:
All
Open to students intending to pursue doctoral level work in one of fifteen designated national security-related disciplines. Applicants may be in their final year of undergraduate study (and accepted into a doctoral program) or up to two years into their graduate studies. Up to three years of funding available. Participants must work on research at a DoD lab for one summer of their tenure. Rigorous application process.
HOW TO APPLY

NAVY Information Assurance Scholarship

Tuition + Stipend
EDUCATION LEVELS OFFERED AT:
Bachelors, Masters, Doctorate
DEMOGRAPHICS AVAILABLE FOR:
All
For current undergraduate through doctoral students in information assurance academic disciplines. Separate programs are available for service members and civilians in school. Both are required to complete 1 year of service in the civil or military branch (depending on their service status) for every year or partial year of receiving the scholarship. For service members, no more than 4 years of service in exchange for funding are required. Rigorous application process.
HOW TO APPLY

The Stokes Program

$30,000
EDUCATION LEVELS OFFERED AT:
Bachelors
DEMOGRAPHICS AVAILABLE FOR:
All
Applicants must be in their senior year of high school and accepted to college. Applicants must intend to pursue a course of study in critical electrical and computer engineering areas including cyber security. Successful participants will be fully employed by the NSA for three months every summer. Upon graduation, Stokes Program participants are employed at the NSA and required to stay for 1.5 times the length of their award. Application process is rigorous. Must be a US Citizen to apply.
HOW TO APPLY

The Science, Mathematics And Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship for Service Program

$25,000-$38,000
+ tuition
EDUCATION LEVELS OFFERED AT:
Bachelors, Masters, Doctorate
DEMOGRAPHICS AVAILABLE FOR:
All
Applicants may apply in their senior year of high school or prior to beginning graduate study. This is a scholarship-for-service program in which successful applicants will receive a salary, benefits, and full tuition cost in exchange for working at Department of Defense roles in the summers of their education and after graduation. 3.0 GPA or higher required. Must be able to obtain a security clearance. Must be a US citizen. Must be pursuing a STEM course of study related to national security. Rigorous application process.
HOW TO APPLY

National Science Foundation Scholarship for Service (SFS)

$22,500-$34,000
EDUCATION LEVELS OFFERED AT:
Bachelors, Masters, Doctorate
DEMOGRAPHICS AVAILABLE FOR:
All
Must apply through a participating institution (your university) where you are formally studying an information assurance field at the bachelors through doctoral levels. Must work in a Government agency or, subject to approval of the NSF program office, for a State, Local, Tribal, or Territorial Government; or a Federally Funded Research and Development Center for the length of time you held the stipend. Stipends are renewable. Must be eligible to work in the US and to obtain security clearance if needed for employment/internship. An internship of 10 weeks is also required during your period being funded.
HOW TO APPLY

Cybersecurity Public Service Scholarship Program

$20,000
EDUCATION LEVELS OFFERED AT:
Associates, Bachelors
DEMOGRAPHICS AVAILABLE FOR:
Residents of Virginia
Must be a resident of Virginia attending a program in Virginia for cyber security. Must work for as long as you recieve the award in a Virginia state agency or institution. May obtain the award for up to two years. Applications apply.
HOW TO APPLY

David L. Boren Undergraduate Scholarships

$20,000
EDUCATION LEVELS OFFERED AT:
Bachelors, Masters, Doctorates
DEMOGRAPHICS AVAILABLE FOR:
Must be Studying Abroad
Must be spending a semester or more abroad in a region deemed critical to US National Security. Must have an intent to work in national security or intelligence. Students must be obtaining an in-demand language as well as their major. Scholars must work at a government agency for as long as they held the award upon graduation. Letters of recommendation and transcript required.
HOW TO APPLY

The Yellow Ribbon Program

Full Public Tuition
EDUCATION LEVELS OFFERED AT:
Associates, Bachelors, Masters, Doctoral
DEMOGRAPHICS AVAILABLE FOR:
Veterans
Must be honorably discharged veteran eligible for the maximum benefit rate. Must have served more than 36 months after 9/11/01. Must attend a Yellow Ribbon participating school that has not allotted their maximum number of program participants. Applications apply.
HOW TO APPLY

SourceFire SNORT Scholarship

$10,000
EDUCATION LEVELS OFFERED AT:
Associates, Bachelors, Masters, Doctorate
DEMOGRAPHICS AVAILABLE FOR:
All
Graduating high school seniors and those farther along in their education are eligible for this award. For those yet to begin their course of study, they must prove that they are attempting to pursue a course of study in computer science, information assurance, or related disciplines. Application required. Applicants with relatives who work for Cisco are ineligible.
HOW TO APPLY

Google SVA Scholarships

$10,000
EDUCATION LEVELS OFFERED AT:
Associates, Bachelors, Masters, Doctorate
DEMOGRAPHICS AVAILABLE FOR:
Veterans
Applicants must be active duty or a student veteran (including members of the reserve and National Guard) studying computer science or related fields at the undergraduate or graduate level. Applications require a resume, transcript, letters of reference, documentation of good standing with the Armed Services, and answers to essay questions.
HOW TO APPLY

Raytheon’s Women in Cyber Security Scholarship

$8,000
EDUCATION LEVELS OFFERED AT:
Bachelors, Masters, Doctorate
DEMOGRAPHICS AVAILABLE FOR:
Women
Must have a 3.0 GPA, be a US citizen, and pursuing or planning to pursue an undergraduate or graduate course of study in information assurance related fields. C/V, references, transcripts and statement of purpose required.
HOW TO APPLY

NAVAL RESEARCH ENTERPRISE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

$5,400-$10,800
EDUCATION LEVELS OFFERED AT:
Bachelors, Masters, Doctorate
DEMOGRAPHICS AVAILABLE FOR:
All
Successful applicants work for 10 weeks in the summer at one of 36 Department of the Navy Research Labs in technical and engineering roles. Stipend amounts vary based on degree level. Must be a US citizen. Application requires academic achievement, personal statements, recommendation, and career & research interests.
HOW TO APPLY

The Google Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship

$5,000-$10,000
EDUCATION LEVELS OFFERED AT:
Bachelors, Masters, Doctorates
DEMOGRAPHICS AVAILABLE FOR:
Women
Must identify as a woman and be studying at a US ($10,000 award) or Canadian ($5,000 award) university. Display a strong academic record and be enrolled in a computer science or related technical discipline. Resume, essays, references, and transcripts required.
HOW TO APPLY

Scholarships for Women Studying Information Security (SWSIS) Program Scholarship

$5,000-$10,000
EDUCATION LEVELS OFFERED AT:
Bachelors, Masters
DEMOGRAPHICS AVAILABLE FOR:
Women
Must be a woman in her junior or senior years of undergraduate, or pursuing a masters. Submissions require proof of sustained interest (academic and otherwise) in information security, an essay, a C/V, references, and transcripts. Applicants must be US citizens studying at US universities.
HOW TO APPLY

Graduate Scholarship

$5,000
EDUCATION LEVELS OFFERED AT:
Masters, Doctoral
DEMOGRAPHICS AVAILABLE FOR:
All
Must have a 3.2 GPA. No residency requirements. Must be starting or having started graduate study in information assurance. May be used to fund research or tuition. C/V, references, transcripts, and statement of purpose required.
HOW TO APPLY

Undergraduate Scholarship

$5,000
EDUCATION LEVELS OFFERED AT:
Bachelors
DEMOGRAPHICS AVAILABLE FOR:
All
Must be planning or currently attending an undergraduate program in cyber security or related programs as a freshman, sophomore, or junior. If you are entering your senior year you should apply for the (ISC)² Graduate Scholarship. May be a citizen of any nation. Must have a 3.0 GPA. Requires resume, transcripts, recommendations and statement of purpose.
HOW TO APPLY

Harold F. Tipton Scholarship

$5,000
EDUCATION LEVELS OFFERED AT:
Bachelors
DEMOGRAPHICS AVAILABLE FOR:
All
Chosen from the pool of (ISC)² undergraduate scholarship applicants. Must be pursuing an undergraduate degree in cyber security or related field. Must have a 3.5 GPA or higher. Requires resume, transcripts, recommendations and statement of purpose.
HOW TO APPLY

ESET Women in Cyber Security Scholarship

$5,000
EDUCATION LEVELS OFFERED AT:
Bachelors, Masters, Doctorate
DEMOGRAPHICS AVAILABLE FOR:
Women
Applicants must be female and a US citizen or permanent resident ID holder. Applicants must be in the process of seeking a cyber security-related undergraduate degree. 3.0 GPA, an essay, an interview, a transcript, and a recommendation required.
HOW TO APPLY

THE PETER JASIN AFIO ENDOWMENT – UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS

$4,000
EDUCATION LEVELS OFFERED AT:
Associates, Bachelors, Masters, Doctoral
DEMOGRAPHICS AVAILABLE FOR:
All
Must show history of sustained interest (academic and otherwise) in national security fields including cyber security. Must show goal of working in the United States intelligence community. Cover letter, transcript, recommendation required. Must be US citizen. Students with in-demand languages preffered.
HOW TO APPLY

THE LIFE’S CHOICES FOUNDATION GRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS

$3,500
EDUCATION LEVELS OFFERED AT:
Masters, Doctoral
DEMOGRAPHICS AVAILABLE FOR:
All
Must be focusing on national security coursework including cyber security fields. Must show goal of working for the US Government. Preference given to children and relatives of those who serve in the intelligence community. Cover letter, transcript, recommendation required. Must be a US Citizen. Students with skills in in-demand languages preferred.
HOW TO APPLY

Ralph W. Shrader Graduate Diversity Scholarship (Women and Minority Students)

$3,000
EDUCATION LEVELS OFFERED AT:
Masters, Doctoral
DEMOGRAPHICS AVAILABLE FOR:
Women and Minority Students
Must be in your second semester or beyond in graduate-level work of a STEM major, including cyber security-related fields. 3.5 gpa required. Applicants may not be in their final year of study. Transcripts, letters of recommendation, and resume required.
HOW TO APPLY

War Veterans Scholarship

$2,500
EDUCATION LEVELS OFFERED AT:
Associates, Bachelors
DEMOGRAPHICS AVAILABLE FOR:
Veteran of Iraq or Afghanistan
Must be pursuing an undergraduate degree with a STEM focus, including information assurance-related degrees. Applicants must be in or about to be in their sophomore or junior years with a 3.0 GPA or greater, Honorably discharged or active duty servicemembers who served in the Wars in Iraq or Afghanistan are eligible. Recommendations, transcripts, and documentation of military service required.
HOW TO APPLY

THE GEORGE J.A. O’TOOLE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

$2,000
EDUCATION LEVELS OFFERED AT:
Associates, Bachelors, Masters, Doctoral
DEMOGRAPHICS AVAILABLE FOR:
All
Must be focusing on national security coursework including cyber security fields. Cover letter, transcript, recommendation required. Must be a US citizen. Preference given to students who also know in-demand languages.
HOW TO APPLY

THE COLONEL SULLY H. DE FONTAINE SCHOLARSHIP AWARD

$1,200
EDUCATION LEVELS OFFERED AT:
Bachelors
DEMOGRAPHICS AVAILABLE FOR:
All
Must be pursuing an undergraduate degree with the intent of working in the intelligence community. Must be a US citizen. Preference given to students who know in-demand language. Cover letter, transcript, recommendation required.
HOW TO APPLY

Vector Loss Prevention Scholarhip

$1,000
EDUCATION LEVELS OFFERED AT:
Profesisonal
DEMOGRAPHICS AVAILABLE FOR:
All
For current or new cyber security practitioners seeking to take coursework in LPQualified and LPCertified. Applicants must show a long-term commitment to a career in North American retail loss prevention.
HOW TO APPLY

US Cyber Challenge Scholarships

$500
EDUCATION LEVELS OFFERED AT:
Professional
DEMOGRAPHICS AVAILABLE FOR:
All
Applicants must compete in the US Cyber Challenge Cyber Quests, in which participants compete to demonstrate knowledge of a number of common information assurance domains. Participants gaining the award will recieve full funding to attend a week-long US Cyber Challenge Cyber Camp at which they will recieve hands-on training on the latest information assurance issues as well as invaluable networking experience (and potentially be scouted for jobs).
HOW TO APPLY

Lint Center

$500-$1,500
EDUCATION LEVELS OFFERED AT:
Bachelors, Masters, Doctoral
DEMOGRAPHICS AVAILABLE FOR:
All
Winners will have their entry essays published by the Lint Center, receive funds, and receive a mentor from the Counterintelligence or National Security profession. Applicants must submit a 600-800 word essay that (a) explains one of the goals of The Lint Center for National Security Studies and (b) presents your thoughts, feelings, ideas or experiences pertaining to Counterintelligence, National Security, Alliance Building, and/or National Defense, particularly on new applications or ground-breaking ideas.
HOW TO APPLY

ISSA Foundation Scholarships

$500-$3,500
EDUCATION LEVELS OFFERED AT:
Associates, Bachelors, Masters, Doctorate
DEMOGRAPHICS AVAILABLE FOR:
All
These awards are open to all students pursuing information assurance and security-related schooling, with the exception of one scholarship only available to students from or studying in San Antonio, TX. A single form may be submitted for application to all scholarships.
HOW TO APPLY

ISACA Regional Chapter Scholarships

$200-$6,000
EDUCATION LEVELS OFFERED AT:
Associates, Bachelors, Masters, Doctorate
DEMOGRAPHICS AVAILABLE FOR:
All
Though requirements vary slightly by scholarship, most include the stipulation to awardees already be or become a member of the ISACA chapter whose scholarship is being applied for. Furthermore, most academic-specific requirements include the requirement that students be in information assurance-related degree programs, submit standard application and essay materials, and hold a high GPA.
HOW TO APPLY

Dotcom-Monitor Women in Computing Scholarship

$1000
EDUCATION LEVELS OFFERED AT:
Bachelor’s
DEMOGRAPHICS AVAILABLE FOR:
Women
This scholarship is available to female undergraduates aiming to pursue careers in computing. Eligible students must have either declared majors or completed more than one year of schooling in the majors of computer engineering, computer science, or closely related fields. Essays and university transcripts required.
HOW TO APPLY