List of Cyber Security Scholarships for Students

Degrees play an important role for those students who are looking forward to making their career in the cybersecurity industry. College or university fees can be costly for some individuals to fulfil their dreams. Fortunately, there are countless scholarship schemes available to help fill the gap. In this guide, we are providing you with detailed information on scholarships accessible to cybersecurity students. It is attended to assist students with potential cyber security scholarships.

Cyber Security Scholarships: What are These?

Scholarships for cyber security are “free money” for college. You do not have to repay the funds as you would with a loan. The majority of these scholarships are for people who want to study cyber defence or, related college majors.

Homeland security, forensics, emergency response, and intelligence are among the examples. Some just provide funding for tuition and fees. Others may include a summer internship and a contract to hire you after you graduate.

How to Apply?

• You must be eligible to apply for a cyber security scholarship. This requirement is normally completed by enrolling in a cybersecurity degree programme.
• Then, if you qualify, you fill out an application. Being a permanent resident of the country you are applying from is a common requirement.
• You may also be required to demonstrate your enrollment as a current student at a recognised college.
• Academic excellence and an interest in national security are equally important to providers.
• As a result, you frequently provide transcripts demonstrating that you have a certain GPA.
• Also, SAT/ACT scores must be within an acceptable range.

Must Read: Diploma in Cyber Security [Updated 2023 Guide]

Top 10 Cyber Security Scholarships for Students

We’ve compiled a list of ten of our top cybersecurity scholarships based on their overall value (both in terms of opportunity and monetary value) and their applicability to a wide spectrum of students. 

Navy Information Assurance Scholarship

This scholarship is provided to both service members of the Navy and civilians. For each year the prize is granted, applicants will receive full tuition and a stipend in exchange for serving one (paid) year in the Navy as a civilian or service member. Candidates who are pursuing information assurance-related fields at the bachelor to doctorate levels. The award amount is tuition and stipend. 

Centre for Cyber Safety and Education Women’s Technology

Despite the fact that this scholarship is solely open to women studying cybersecurity, it ranks highly in our rankings due to its big grant amount and lack of service requirements. Candidates require a minimum GPA of 3.2, information assurance-related field, SOP, official transcripts, updated CV, and references. The award amount is $40,000 (INR 30 Lakhs).

CIA Undergraduate Scholarship Program

The CIA Undergraduate Scholarship Program is also one of the most renowned rewards in a range of subjects. The prize is for undergraduate studies, and applicants must apply in their senior year of high school. Candidates may require work experience in the domains such as STEM, Analysis, Clandestine, or Enterprise. The scholarship award is $18,000 + salary (INR 13.5 Lakhs).

Raytheon’s Women in Cyber Security Scholarship

Raytheon’s Women in Cyber Security Scholarship is open to female students in their final year of high school who are pursuing a Bachelor’s or Doctoral degree. Candidates require a minimum GPA of 3.0, information assurance-related field, SOP, official transcripts, updated CV, and references. The scholarship reward for candidates is $8,000 (INR 6 Lakhs).

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

This award entitles recipients to work for the Department of Defense during their summers of education and for a period after graduation. Candidates require a minimum GPA of 3.0, persuasion of national-security related degree, US citizen status, ability to obtain a security clearance, SOP, official transcripts, updated CV, and references. The grant details include full tuition + salary + benefits.

NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program

It is another extremely distinguished prize, the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program is open to Master and Doctoral students in STEM subjects (including cybersecurity). This scholarship helps to fund graduate research. The award amount is $46,000 (INR 34 Lakhs) a year.

Sourcefire Snort Scholarship

The SourceFire Snort Scholarship is offered to students in their senior year of high school through PhD studies. This scholarship also has no job requirements. The only proof of completion of a computer science-related discipline and an application are necessary. Those who are relatives of Cisco employees are not eligible to apply. The reward of this scholarship is $10,000 (INR 7.5 Lakhs).

The Stokes Program

This scholarship is also for candidates pursuing a service program. After being admitted to an accredited school, this prize must be applied for in one’s senior year of high school. Applicants who are selected must intend to pursue studies in essential computer science subjects, such as information assurance. The award for this scholarship scheme is $40,000 (INR 30.35 Lakhs).

Scholarships for Women Studying Information Security (SWSIS) Program Scholarship

The scholarship programme is sponsored by ACSA and Hewlett-Packard Enterprise, a long-time leader in the field of information security. Female undergraduate students in their juniors and seniors, as well as those seeking Master’s degrees, are eligible to participate in the programme.

Applicants must demonstrate a long-term interest in cybersecurity-related disciplines through major coursework, employment in the field, or participation in cybersecurity clubs. The prize money ranges from $5,000 to $10,000 (INR 3.7 Lakhs – 7.5 Lakhs).

(ISC)2 Graduate and Undergraduate Scholarship

Undergraduate and graduate students can apply for (ISC)2 scholarships. Graduate applicants must have a 3.2 GPA or higher, while undergraduate students must have a 3.0 GPA. Applicants must be pursuing a degree in a discipline related to information security. The award amount is $5,000 (INR 3.7 Lakhs).

Cyber Security Scholarships for Undergraduate

Let’s take a look at the popular cybersecurity scholarships for undergraduates:

• Central Intelligence Agency – Undergraduate Scholarship Program: This scholarship is for students who are looking for a government job after college.
• The Stokes Educational Scholarship Program (NSA): It is similar to the CIA scholarship. It means the students agree to work with the organization.
• (ISC) 2 Scholarship – Undergraduate: Students studying in the cybersecurity sector are eligible to apply regardless of their citizenship.
• The Snort Scholarship: This scholarship is offered by Cisco.
• American Security Professional Fellowships: This scholarship is awarded by Heinz College.

Kickstart Your Career in Cyber Security

Cyber Security Scholarships for Postgraduate

Some cyber security fields necessitate advanced degrees. Below-mentioned is the cyber security scholarships for postgraduate students:

• NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program Scholarship: This scholarship is available to those pursuing their master’s or doctoral degree.
• (ISC) 2 Scholarship – Graduate: Students studying in the cybersecurity sector are eligible to apply regardless of their citizenship.

Also Read: PG Diploma in Cyber Security

Cyber Security Scholarships for Women

The number is increasing as more women earn computer science degrees. Employers are happy to bring women’s talent into their organizations. Here’s a list of cybersecurity scholarships for Women:

• KnownBe4 Women in Cybersecurity Scholarship and Internship: This scholarship specializes in security awareness training and phishing campaigns.
• (ISC)2 Women in Information Security Scholarship: Women candidates studying in the cybersecurity sector are eligible to apply regardless of their citizenship.
• SWSIS (Scholarships for Women Studying Information Security) Program Scholarship: It is eligible for this scholarship, women candidates must be enrolled in US-accredited institutions.
• Women Techmakers Scholars Program: Three scholarships are awarded by Google in memory of Dr Anita Borg.
• VIP’s Women in Technology Scholarship: Offered to women who are pursuing 3 – 4 years of degrees in computer science, IT and cybersecurity.
• Women in Technology Fellowships: This scholarship is offered by Heinz College which provides a limited number of half-tuition.

Cyber Security Scholarships for Veterans

Military veterans who want to re-enter the civilian market by working in cybersecurity can apply for specialised scholarships. Here are some cyber security scholarships for veterans:

• Cisco Veteran Cyber Scholarship Program – Rather than providing financial assistance for a college or university, this scholarship is for free Cisco training and certification. Veterans who earn this award are eligible to complete the Cisco CCNA course and receive certification.
• The Yellow Ribbon Program – The Yellow Ribbon Programme is offered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to veterans who are seeking higher out-of-state, private school, or graduate school tuition that the Post-9/11 GI Bill does not cover.
• AFCEA War Veterans Scholarships – This grant is exclusively available to undergraduate students. The War Veteran provides a $2,500 merit-based award to active serving military members or honourably discharged U.S. military veterans.
• Google Student Veterans Award (SVA) Scholarship – Google provides eight $10,000 scholarship scholarships to student veterans pursuing a career in computer science. Scholarship recipients are also invited to Google’s Scholars Retreat.

Must Read: How to Make a Career in Cyber Forensic?

Top Universities Offering Cyber Security Courses

Cybersecurity ensures the safety of our personal and official data and information online. There are many academic institutions around the globe that offer the aforementioned programmes in cybersecurity to train students to effectively defending cyber threats. Here are some of the major universities you can consider for pursuing a cybersecurity course: 

• Cardiff University
• Tufts University
• The University of Maryland– College Park
• Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University
• Georgia University of Technology
• Illinois University of Technology
• University of South Australia
• Coventry University
• Aston University
• Rochester Institute Of Technology
• University Of Pittsburgh
• Texas A&M University
• University Of California
• George Mason University
• Syracuse University
• Boston University
• University Of Houston
• Johns Hopkins University
• British Columbia University of Technology
• University of Sunderland

Must Read: Cyber Law Careers, Jobs, Courses, Salary 2022

Conclusion

There is a scholarship available for you whether you are still in high school and have just begun looking at universities, or you have a bachelor’s degree and are considering returning for a master’s degree.

With the average cost of a private four-year college hovering around $30,000 per year and the average cost of a public four-year institution at around $10,000, scholarships can assist ease the financial load.

Every year, as the demand for cybersecurity specialists grows, new cybersecurity scholarships emerge. Students should apply for numerous scholarships, regardless of the value of the prize. Every little bit helps in college. Receiving a $1,000 or $5,000 scholarship means you won’t have to pay it back later.

FAQs

If you’re planning to pursue a course in Cyber Security abroad, Leverage Edu experts can guide you in selecting the best university to study this course so that you can begin a thriving career in the field of Cyber Security.