Yes, if you are earning a cybersecurity degree, there are scholarships to help you pay for it. All cybersecurity scholarships may help pursuing a cyber degree more affordable. Unlike a loan, you won’t need to repay it if you accept the terms.
As cyber attacks rise, the need for trained intelligence pros is growing too. Cyber security scholarships are funds set aside for people studying cyber defense. This major is often a focal point in computer science, forensics or programming. It also spans into the following careers:
Intelligence
National defense
Diplomacy
Public health and disease prevention
Food security
Democracy and governance
National disaster response
How Do You Apply for a Cybersecurity Scholarship?
To apply for a cybersecurity scholarship, you need to meet the provider’s criteria. These range from financial need to academic excellence. A vested interest in national security, strong references and community service is also useful.
Some cybersecurity scholarships will also cover part of your college tuition and fees. Others pay for undergraduate or graduate research. Aside from money, an award might include internships and a job after graduation.
The CIA Undergrad Scholarship is one. The value is up to $18,000 for tuition. It also pays an annual salary for a CIA job and comes with health benefits.
Scholarships for Women and Minority Students
There are cybersecurity scholarships for women and minority students. These promote diversity in the field while also providing financial aid to pay for college expenses.
One such program is the Women Techmaker’s Scholarship from Google. This $10,000 award aims to foster equality for women in computer science. More than money, it includes a retreat and chance to join an online network of peers.
The Rebecca Gurley Bace SWSIS Scholarship is another scholarship for women. These $10,000 scholarships are for women studying for a bachelor or master’s degree in Info Sec. Winners also get an invite and paid trip to industry conferences. Some winners score an internship too.
Why You Should Apply for a Scholarship?
Cyber security scholarships may help make college more affordable as cost of attendance keeps rising every year. Some programs may offer networking, internships and cyber security events for students. This is a great opportunity to learn more about various careers and work experiences in the cyber security field.
In 2019 there were an average of 145 major security breaches. This is showing no signs of stopping and comes with high costs.
Also, the average annual cost of cyber crime in the U.S., per company, rose 29% in 2018 to $27.4 million. The threats cause identity theft, lost files, scrambled data and bring a threat of cyber war.
The statistics, while scary, make now a perfect time to earn a cyber security degree. The job outlook through 2028 for Information Security Analysts is 31% . This rate is much faster than the norm.
Info Security professionals find new and improved ways to prevent and deter hackers. They earn a median annual salary of $99,730 and work in many industries from finance to health, IT and beyond.
To enter the cybersecurity profession, you need at least a bachelor’s degree. The median cost of $6,826 at an in state public college or $28,890 at an out of state school.
List of Cybersecurity Scholarships
Check out our list of cyber security scholarships below. There are awards worth .
Recipients must enroll as a full-time student in the fall of the year in which the scholarships are awarded and continue the entire academic year without interruption unless approved by CrowdStrike. At the conclusion of each semester during the scholarship period, recipients will be asked to submit to CrowdStrike a one- to two-page report with grades in cybersecurity, AI, or related classes taken during that semester and a summary of key learnings about cybersecurity or AI during the semester. At or near the conclusion of the scholarship period, recipients will be asked to conduct a phone or video interview with CrowdStrike on their experience with the NextGen scholarship program and key takeaways of studying cybersecurity or AI during the scholarship period.
KnowBe4, Inc. is the provider of the world’s largest security awareness training and simulated phishing platform. The recipient of the KnowBe4 Military, Veterans & Spouse Cybersecurity Scholarship will receive a $10,000 scholarship to be applied to tuition, fees, books, required electronics and up to $3,000 of the award may be used for on-campus housing. Awards are paid directly to the college or university, recipients do not receive the scholarship award directly.
The AfterCollege Engineering Student Scholarship is available to U.S. undergraduate and graduate students majoring in a field of engineering, technology and/or mathematics, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, etc.. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
The Women in Cybersecurity Scholarship is provided by ESET and is available for women who are pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in cybersecurity or a related technology field. Applicants must enrolled in or accepted to an accredited undergraduate or graduate program in the U.S. a 3.0 GPA, or higher.
The National Security Agency (NSA) is currently accepting applications for the Stokes Educational Scholarship Program. This tuition assistance program pays an annual salary, plus up to $30,000 for tuition and mandatory educational fees per academic year. Click here to learn more and apply.
The Cybersecurity Public Service Grant is available for students in Virginia who are majoring in cybersecurity or a related field of technology. To be eligible, applicants must agree to work for the state of Virginia upon graduation. Deadlines varies. Click here to learn more and apply today!
