Students are increasingly interested in majoring in information security or cyber security. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for information security jobs is over $100,000 per year, and the growth is much faster than average. It could be a great career path for someone who enjoys technology and problem-solving. Continue reading for more information about cybersecurity scholarships!
How Do You Apply for a Cybersecurity Scholarship?
If you want to apply for a cybersecurity scholarship, you must meet the provider’s requirements. Criteria may include academic excellence or financial need. In addition, community service, strong references, and a vested interest in national security are useful attributes.
In addition to covering some of your college tuition, some cybersecurity scholarships will also cover your fees. Some even cover graduate or undergraduate research. In addition to financial aid, certain scholarship and grant opportunities are designed to alleviate students' technological needs by offering them a free laptop and awards might also include internships and jobs after graduation.
Cybersecurity Scholarships
We have compiled the following list to help you search for the right scholarship.
CrowdStrike NextGen Scholarship Program
In 2017, CrowdStrike launched the scholarship program to support and cultivate the next generation of cyber-science talent and researchers. CrowdStrike requires scholarship recipients to enroll as full-time students for the fall semester following the year they receive the scholarship and continue the academic year without interruption. In addition to submitting a short report at the end of each semester during the scholarship period, recipients will be asked to summarize their key learnings about Cybersecurity or AI. Eight candidates are selected who receive a scholarship amount of $10,000 each. The deadline to apply is June 2nd, 2022.
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship
Through the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP), scientists and engineers in the United States can maintain a highly qualified human resource base. A total of 50,000 fellowships have been awarded by the NSF since 1952, out of over 500,000 applicants. Winners can use the award to pursue research at their choice of government lab or school within the United States. Funding amounts will vary depending on the study program. The deadline to apply is November 1st, 2022.
SMART Scholarship Program
The SMART program targets science, mathematics, and research for transformation (STEM) scholars interested in pursuing education in some of the top STEM fields currently in high demand. Under the program, students pursuing STEM degrees are eligible to apply for scholarships. In addition to receiving full tuition, monthly stipends, health insurance, and book allowances, students will also receive 8 to 12 weeks’ worth of summer internships. After they have completed their degree, scholars are hired by their sponsoring facility for a civilian position. The grant will cover the full-time tuition costs at any regionally accredited university or college in the United States of the applicant’s choosing. Awarded students receive notifications in the spring.
Additionally, the Department of Defense (DoD) will employ students as civilians after graduation. The program will provide funding for a minimum of 1.5 years and a maximum of 5 years.
Snort Scholarship
The Snort security software company is a partner of Cisco. Scholarships provided by Snort help cover tuition costs. Personnel of the Company are not eligible to receive an award. The potential awardees will be notified by email or mail within one week after the drawing.
The Snort Scholarship is meant to be used for the awardee’s academic tuition at a qualified institution during the upcoming academic year. The scholarship will be paid directly to the university by Cisco.
Students pursuing a degree in computer science, information technology, computer networking, cyber security, or a related field of study may be eligible to receive the Snort Scholarship. Snort is an affiliate company of Cisco Systems, which provides security software. The deadline for the application is May 15th, 2022.
Boren Awards
Students who wish to study abroad should consider applying for the David L Boren Scholarship. Students enrolled in this program are in a long-term language immersion program focusing on languages and cultures essential to the U.S. If you need an international student scholarship in cyber security, you should look into this opportunity. Students studying Cybersecurity can also apply. Undergraduates can receive a scholarship of up to $25,000.
Funding for Boren Awards must be continuous throughout the overseas study. Short trips outside the country of study are permitted mid-way through the program but must be pre-approved by IIE. In most cases, applicants for Boren Awards must complete a program that lasts at least 12 weeks. STEM majors have an exception to this rule, as they can propose summer programs of at least eight weeks.
Women in Cybersecurity Scholarship
Women interested in Cybersecurity or a related technology field may be eligible for the Women in Cybersecurity Scholarship provided by ESET. Students must be enrolled or be accepted into an accredited undergraduate or graduate program in the United States with a 3.0 GPA or higher.
A leader in I.T. security software and services, ESET provides products and services to businesses and consumers around the globe. Since 2016, they have offered scholarship programs. ESET awards scholarships to ten women pursuing a degree in Cybersecurity who aspire to have a career in Cybersecurity. For two years, $5,000 will be divided into $2,500 for the first year and $2,500 for the second year.
KnowBe4 Scholarship for Black Americans in Cybersecurity
KnowBe4 Scholarships for Black Americans in Cybersecurity are offered by the Center for Cyber Safety and Education to students pursuing or planning to pursue degrees in Cybersecurity or information assurance. You can apply for up to $3,000 of the KnowBe4 Scholarship to pay for on-campus housing and $10,000 to apply for tuition, fees, books, and electronics. Scholarships may be paid in one lump sum or several semesters, including the summer term.
Malwarebytes Scholarship
Scholars pursuing STEM or cybersecurity careers in college or graduate school are eligible to apply. The applicant must complete an application form and submit an essay addressing the following: What is the meaning of Cybersecurity to you? What can Malwarebytes do to help with that? The scholarship winners will each receive $10,000. A total of $100,000 has been reserved for this scholarship.
Stokes Educational Scholarship Program
Students who plan to major in cyber security or a related field are eligible for the Stokes Educational Scholarship program. Applications will be accepted beginning in September, and the deadline is the end of October. Stokes Educational Scholarships are $50,000 awards that allow recipients to work for the NSA and receive other benefits.
Suppose you are selected for the Stokes Educational Scholarship Program. In that case, you will attend classes full-time at a college in the United States and then work at NSA for at least 12 weeks during the summer in an area related to your course of study. If your application to the program is approved, you will be required to work at NSA for at least one-and-a-half times your study duration after graduation. If your employment with NSA should end earlier than expected, NSA will allow you to reimburse the government for your tuition and mandatory educational fees. In addition, students accepted into the program must hold at least a 2.75 GPA on a 4.0 scale each semester/quarter in their first year and a 3.0 GPA in their sophomore year.
NSF CyberCorps Scholarship for Service
Students interested in Cybersecurity can apply for scholarships through the CyberCorps SFS program, which provides funds to colleges and universities. Students must be enrolled full-time in a cybersecurity-related degree program. The National Science Foundation awards scholarships grants for the CyberCorps Scholarship For Service (SFS). The program is designed to recruit and train the next generation of I.T. professionals, systems security specialists, and security managers to support the cybersecurity mission of the United States Federal Government, States, Local Governments, and Tribal Governments.
Under this program, students are provided with scholarships for up to three years of support for their undergraduate and graduate degree studies (MS or Ph.D.). For their scholarships, recipients must agree to work for the U.S. government in a cybersecurity-related position after graduation for a period equal to the scholarship length.
Cybersecurity Public Service Grant
Virginia students who major in Cybersecurity or a related technology field are eligible for the Cybersecurity Public Service Grant. Candidates must agree to work for the state of Virginia after graduation to be eligible to apply. The Cybersecurity Public Service Grant is intended to provide public and private organizations with up to $20,000 in combined state and employer match benefits to encourage recent graduates of Virginia institutes with degrees in Cybersecurity or related fields to engage in public service.
Depending on employer commitments upon initial awarding, available funds, number of applicants, and prioritization of employer and job, the grant can be renewed up to two additional times for three years. Depending on available funds, the recipient may receive up to $20,000 per year.
AfterCollege Engineering and Technology Student Scholarship
U.S. undergraduates and graduates majoring in engineering, technology, mathematics, computer science, and Cybersecurity may apply for the AfterCollege Engineering Student Scholarship. Applicants need to have a grade point average of at least 3.0.
Since its creation in a college dorm room in 1999, AfterCollege has connected students and recent graduates with employers hiring for internships and entry-level jobs. The patented AfterCollege job search engine and career-building tools help job seekers land their first job by connecting them to valuable professional networks.
AFCEA War Veterans Scholarships
AFCEA War Veterans Scholarships are available to those who have served overseas or are currently serving overseas in the military. The scholarship is $2,500, with an application deadline of May 31st. While it is a good resource for students who need scholarships for cyber security, it is not just for those who want to major in cyber security. The scholarship is open to students majoring in various STEM fields, including telecommunications, network operations, electrical engineering, and information technology. The web page for the scholarship includes an entire list of eligible majors. You also need to submit a transcript and a personal essay about your teaching philosophy.
CIA Undergraduate Scholarship
CIA Undergraduate Scholarships are considered one of the best undergraduate scholarships in cyber security, with awards up to $25,000 each year. Student applications must be submitted by July 31st, although students should apply at least a year before their desired start date. Students must meet certain requirements to qualify for this scholarship. In addition to attending a minimum of one, preferably two, 90-day sessions with the CIA before graduating, recipients must work for the CIA for 1.5 years for each year of money they receive. You must work for the CIA for at least three years after you graduate if you receive a scholarship for two years of college.
Ralph W. Shrader Graduate Diversity Scholarship
AFCEA supports cyber security majors and other intelligence-related majors. By connecting military members, education, and technology, AFCEA Foundation helps to strengthen our military. As part of its mission, it ensures that military members have access to the technology that meets their needs. This organization offers several scholarship opportunities, which helps them ensure that its mission can continue for decades to come.
Women and minority students seeking scholarships for cyber security still have time to apply to the Ralph W. Shrader Graduate Diversity Scholarship before April 30th. Students in their second semester of graduate school are eligible for the award. The recipient’s school must support the AFCEA Educational Foundation. The scholarship is worth $3,000.
SAIC CyberWarrior Scholarship
SAIC’s CyberWarrior Scholarship provides varying amounts of money to returning military veterans, so there are many options for cyber security scholarships. Through the scholarship program, returning veterans will be able to reenter the civilian workforce by obtaining a cyber security education. Applications will be accepted until March 2nd. Veterans and members of the military will be eligible for the scholarship. Please read the categories on the website to determine if you qualify. You will also receive a voucher for a certification exam.
The company is a technology and engineering company. This network serves the United States military, the intelligence community, health services, and more, so it plays a major role in maintaining the safety of the country’s various parts. SAIC is committed to safety on all levels, with I.T. expertise, program management, and an extensive list of innovative technologies. SAIC helps ensure American safety, including through the CyberWarrior scholarship.
Scholarships for Women Studying Information Security
Women studying information security can apply for scholarships from the Computing Research Association. Even though the application deadline for 2021 was February 1st, the deadline for 2022 will be December 15th. Check out these cyber security scholarships for undergraduates to get a head start on next year’s awards. Women pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree in information technology can qualify for these scholarships, reaching a maximum of $10,000.
SFS Scholarship Program - CyberCorps®: Scholarship for Service
The National Science Foundation awards several grants through the SFS Scholarship program. Each grant is different, and the award amount will differ as well. Applications are due September 19th, 2021. Cyber security is not the only subject of this scholarship. Scholarships for service are awarded to students who commit to working for the government as an employee of cyber security. This grant program may help jumpstart the career goals of people considering working for the U.S. government.
The Yellow Ribbon Program
There is no other scholarship program like the Yellow Ribbon Program for cyber security. Post-9/11 veterans can apply for this scholarship to pay for college. Yellow Ribbon Program beneficiaries also qualify for the full Post-9/11 GI Bill benefit. Yellow Ribbon Program participants attend higher-cost schools, including private schools outside their home state or graduate schools. Money is determined by education level, and many other factors determine deadlines. Potential applicants should carefully read the eligibility requirements to ensure they meet them.
Yellow Ribbon Program was developed by the Department of Veterans Affairs of the United States. The schools enrolled in this program are primarily military-friendly. Many veterans can attend college with little or no money out of pocket due to these partnerships, which can assist them in moving forward in their careers and lives post-service. You should contact them for information about the Yellow Ribbon Program at your desired school.
US Cyber Challenge Scholarships
Cyber Challenge participants can apply for $500 scholarships through the U.S. Cyber Challenge Scholarships. Unlike many opportunities, this one does not require a simple application process. Rather, participants can participate in Cyber Quests, a free online competition sponsored by USCC. The USCC and top-ranked STEM universities jointly sponsor the CyberCamps, which are open to top performers. There is training and discussion at these camps, and competitions conclude each session. A scholarship is awarded to the winner of the competition. There may not be a simple application process like other scholarships, but it is certainly a great chance for students.
Young people interested in cyber security will find the U.S. Cyber Challenge a unique and engaging program. A cyber security scholarship is more than just a scholarship for high school students. The USCC’s goal is to attract some of the best young minds for a future career in cyber security. Students interested in jumpstarting exciting and valuable careers can get some of the best learning opportunities through the USCC’s scholarship, panel, and award-winning training.
VIP’s Women in Technology Scholarship
The Women in Technology Scholarship is one of several scholarship opportunities Visionary Integration Professionals offers. Scholarships worth $2,500 will be given to women entering college to pursue careers in information technology. Applicants in related fields are also eligible. More than 125 women have been awarded this scholarship since its inception, making it one of the most prolific awards. You have until April 1st to submit your Women in Technology Scholarship application.
Women Techmakers Scholars Program
Women interested in pursuing an education in technology should take advantage of the Women Techmakers Scholars Program. Scholarships for women currently enrolled in accredited four-year programs or master’s programs are available, with a maximum value of $10,000. Computer science, computer engineering, cyber security, or a related field is required for applicants. The application deadlines vary, so applicants should check the website for more details. This program is an excellent option for women interested in cyber security scholarships.
Formerly known as the Google Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship Program, the Women Techmakers Scholars Program has been around for more than a decade. During her career, Dr. Borg worked to advance gender equality within the field of technology. Even though women are underrepresented in STEM fields, she knew they could become well-respected leaders. It was created in memory of Anita’s efforts to close the gender gap in STEM and empower women.
Are you interested in learning more about different grants and programs that can help you with your living situation? Check out the rest of Gov Relations’ blog section today!
