Cybersecurity Guide

Cybersecurity Scholarships and Funding Guide

Last updated:

Written by Aireal Liddle

Systems and security administrator with incident response experience and multiple cybersecurity certifications.

In this guide

Quick answer

What cybersecurity scholarships are available?
Eligible students can pursue degree scholarships from AFCEA, the ISSA Education Foundation, the ISACA Foundation, ISC2’s Center for Cyber Safety and Education and other sponsors. Funding is available for undergraduate and graduate study, with additional awards for women and qualified military-connected applicants.

Federal options, including CyberAICorps Scholarship for Service and the Cyber Service Academy, can cover substantial costs but require government service. Professional training awards are listed separately because they do not necessarily fund college tuition.

At a glance

  • Academic scholarships, tuition reductions, service-based programs and professional training awards serve different purposes.
  • Undergraduate and graduate students have separate and overlapping opportunities.
  • Four government employment-linked programs appear below; students must read the specific service agreement before accepting.
  • Women-focused and military-family awards have different eligibility restrictions.
  • Scholarship information evaluated: October 19, 2026. An earlier cycle’s deadline is not assumed to recur on the same date.

Cybersecurity scholarship overview

Cybersecurity scholarships support eligible students pursuing cybersecurity, information assurance, digital forensics or an approved related field. Some are cyber-specific; broader STEM awards may also include cybersecurity. Confirm each sponsor’s major, degree level and enrollment requirements.

Security+, CISSP, CEH and GIAC are certifications, not scholarships. Training scholarships may help cover professional learning or exams; a university academic certificate is also not itself financial aid.

Types of cybersecurity scholarships and funding

Academic scholarships support tuition and approved educational costs. They may be fixed-dollar awards, awards of up to a stated maximum or institution-specific tuition reductions.

Service-based scholarships provide education benefits linked to internships, security requirements, and government employment after graduation.

Training scholarships fund professional learning, course access, certification preparation, or exams, rather than necessarily paying degree tuition.

Grants, federal aid, assistantships, work-study and employer tuition assistance have separate conditions and may supplement scholarships.

Begin with your school’s financial-aid office and cybersecurity department, then look for outside scholarships by degree level. Confirm GPA, citizenship, residency, enrollment and participating-school rules before applying.

Gather a resume, transcript, references and examples of relevant security projects, internships or research.

Prepare a transcript, resume, contact information for recommenders and examples of cybersecurity work that match the sponsor’s goals.

Relevant examples include class projects, internships, capture-the-flag events, research, open-source contributions, labs and volunteer work. A reusable essay outline helps, but each final application should address the specific award.

Undergraduate cybersecurity scholarships

The opportunities below support undergraduate education or, where clearly identified, students nearing completion of an eligible community-college program. Some accept graduate students too; the degree-level rules remain the sponsor’s rules, not a guarantee of eligibility for every college or online program.

AFCEA Cyber Security Scholarship

AFCEA provides a $5,000 award to eligible full-time sophomores and juniors studying cybersecurity or another listed cyber-related major at an accredited four-year U.S. institution. Applicants must have a 3.0 GPA and be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Eligible online degree programs qualify.

Application status: The most recent cycle is closed; the next window has not been announced. The award is for approved education expenses, with no government service requirement.

Official source: AFCEA Cyber Security Scholarship

AFCEA STEM Major Scholarship

The same AFCEA application can also consider eligible students for the $2,500 STEM Major Scholarship. Cybersecurity is among the qualifying STEM fields. Applicants must meet the scholarship’s full-time enrollment, sophomore-or-junior standing, 3.0 GPA and U.S. citizenship or permanent-residency requirements.

Application status: Closed; check the sponsor for the next cycle. The general STEM award is distinct from the $5,000 Cyber Security Scholarship.

Official source: AFCEA STEM Major Scholarship

Howard A. Schmidt Memorial Scholarship

The ISSA Education Foundation awards $3,500 for undergraduate studies to students preparing for information-security or cybersecurity careers. Applicants must meet ISSAEF’s academic requirements and have at least sophomore standing when receiving the award.

Application status: The 2026 period ended June 15; no next deadline has been confirmed. It is an academic award, not a certification course.

Official source: Howard A. Schmidt Memorial Scholarship

ISACA Foundation Scholarship Program

ISACA Foundation scholarships support eligible students worldwide pursuing cybersecurity, IT audit, security, assurance and related digital-trust studies. Its announced fall 2026 program offers awards from $500 to $5,000, depending on the individual scholarship. Undergraduate and eligible graduate students can apply.

Application deadline: November 3, 2026, for the announced cycle. Read the specific award’s eligibility and benefits before applying.

Official source: ISACA Foundation Scholarship Program

ISC2 Center for Cyber Safety and Education Academic Scholarships

ISC2’s Center for Cyber Safety and Education supports eligible cybersecurity-focused associate, undergraduate and graduate students internationally, including some online and part-time learners. Its published 2026 award categories were $3,000 for associate-degree students and $5,000 for undergraduate and graduate students, subject to individual scholarship rules.

The 2026 application period is closed and the Center says applications will reopen in 2027; the new deadline is not yet announced.

Official source: ISC2 Center for Cyber Safety and Education Academic Scholarships

ISSA Education Foundation General Scholarship

The ISSA Education Foundation also offers a $2,000 General Scholarship sponsored by the Docent Institute for eligible undergraduate or graduate students pursuing cybersecurity or information security. Applicants must meet the foundation’s academic requirements.

Application status: The 2026 academic cycle closed June 15; check the sponsor for the next window.

Official source: ISSA Education Foundation General Scholarship

Nightwing Scholarship

Nightwing and the AFCEA Educational Foundation provide a $5,000 tuition scholarship for eligible students pursuing studies related to national security, cyber and intelligence.

Applicants may be undergraduate sophomores, juniors or seniors, or eligible master’s students, enrolled at qualifying community colleges or four-year institutions. Cybersecurity, cybersecurity engineering and information security are among the listed majors; a 3.0 GPA applies.

Application status: Closed.

Official source: Nightwing Scholarship

vCISO Cybersecurity Scholarship

Fractional CISO’s $1,000 vCISO Cybersecurity Scholarship supports full-time undergraduate or graduate cybersecurity majors studying in the United States. Applicants must be at least 18 and complete the sponsor’s essay and submission requirements.

Application status: The 2026 deadline was May 31; no next deadline has been announced. Funds are paid to the institution under the sponsor’s approved-expense rules.

Official source: vCISO Cybersecurity Scholarship

Broader community-college cybersecurity support

The Microsoft Cybersecurity Scholarship Program, administered with the Last Mile Education Fund, offers eligible U.S. community-college or technical-college students up to $500 in completion/basic-needs assistance or up to $375 toward cybersecurity certification exams.

Applicants generally must be at least 18 and meet the program’s enrollment and financial criteria. The sponsor currently describes rolling applications. This is supplemental education and exam support, not an unrestricted four-year tuition scholarship.

Official source: Broader community-college cybersecurity support

Graduate cybersecurity scholarships

Graduate students can pursue scholarships expressly designed for advanced study as well as programs whose rules allow qualified master’s or doctoral applicants. A scholarship’s acceptance of master’s students should not be taken to mean doctoral students automatically qualify.

E. Eugene Schultz Jr. Memorial Scholarship

The ISSA Education Foundation’s graduate academic scholarship awards $3,500 for eligible students pursuing cybersecurity or information-security studies.

Application status: The 2026 academic window closed June 15; a new deadline has not been announced. This is distinct from the separately offered SANS E. Eugene Schultz Jr. Memorial Training Scholarship, which covers professional training instead of the academic award.

Official source: E. Eugene Schultz Jr. Memorial Scholarship

Ralph W. Shrader Graduate Scholarship

AFCEA’s $3,000 Ralph W. Shrader Graduate Scholarship supports eligible full-time graduate students in approved STEM disciplines, including cybersecurity, at accredited U.S. institutions. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, at least in their second semester, taking two or more semester-equivalent courses, and meet 3.5 GPA and financial-need requirements. The award covers tuition and course-related expenses.

Application status: Closed; the next window is not confirmed.

Official source: Ralph W. Shrader Graduate Scholarship

Nightwing Scholarship

Eligible master’s students can apply for the $5,000 Nightwing Scholarship described in the undergraduate section. AFCEA requires an eligible major, qualifying institution and 3.0 GPA.

Application status: Closed for the latest cycle; check the sponsor for the next application period.

Official source: Nightwing Scholarship

ISACA Foundation Scholarship Program

Qualifying graduate students in cybersecurity, IT audit and other digital-trust disciplines are eligible for selected ISACA Foundation scholarships.

The current announced scholarship range is $500–$5,000, with a November 3, 2026 application deadline. The specific award, program and application criteria control eligibility.

Official source: ISACA Foundation Scholarship Program

ISC2 Center academic scholarships

ISC2’s Center for Cyber Safety and Education includes eligible graduate-level cybersecurity students among its global academic scholarship populations.

Its published 2026 graduate award category was $5,000; that cycle is closed, and the next application dates are not confirmed. Verify any doctoral or part-time requirements on the sponsor’s application page.

Official source: ISC2 Center academic scholarships

Graduate funding beyond external scholarships

Students should also ask universities about graduate fellowships, teaching and research assistantships, departmental scholarships and employer tuition assistance. Packages may include a stipend or partial tuition benefits but can involve work obligations and limits on combining awards.

Government and service-based cybersecurity scholarships

Unlike most conventional scholarships, the programs in this section require qualifying government work, background screening, a participating school or other formal commitments. A generous stipend does not make the award unrestricted. Students should request the current agreement and review consequences for not completing service.

CyberAICorps Scholarship for Service

The National Science Foundation’s CyberAICorps Scholarship for Service (CyberAI SFS) extends the former CyberCorps SFS model. Qualified students at participating institutions can receive up to three years of tuition and mandatory education-related fees, an academic-year stipend of $27,000 for undergraduates or $37,000 for graduate students, and a $6,000 annual professional allowance.

Current rules cover qualifying U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents in approved study pathways. Students apply through participating campuses. Service commitment: Required internship and eligible government employment, generally for at least the length of scholarship support. Meal plans and housing are not covered as tuition benefits.

Official source: CyberAICorps Scholarship for Service

For student application routes and participating institutions, consult the OPM Scholarship for Service student portal.

Department of War Cyber Service Academy

The Department of War Cyber Service Academy, previously known as the DoD Cyber Scholarship Program, offers recruitment scholarships for eligible cyber-related students at participating institutions. The announced 2026–27 benefits include tuition and fees, books and supplies, a living stipend, a certification allowance and a paid summer internship, subject to scholarship rules.

Service commitment: Recruitment participants ordinarily owe at least one year of qualifying department employment per year of support.

Application status: The official program page says its 2026 new-applicant and returning-scholar applications are closed. A separate retention program serves certain current personnel.

Official source: Department of War Cyber Service Academy

NSA Stokes Educational Scholarship Program

NSA’s Stokes program is for eligible U.S.-citizen high-school seniors planning an approved field, including cybersecurity, who can satisfy academic and security-clearance conditions. Benefits include up to $30,000 per year toward tuition and fees, year-round paid work and certain summer-related housing or travel assistance.

Service commitment: NSA employment after graduation for at least 1.5 times the supported study period, subject to program conditions. NSA advertised a September 1 opening for the following summer’s cycle; students should confirm current vacancies and closing dates on its official careers page.

Official source: NSA Stokes Educational Scholarship Program

CIA Stokes Undergraduate Scholarship Program

The CIA Stokes scholarship is a need-based education-and-employment program. Eligible participants can receive up to $18,000 per academic year, or up to $25,000 for qualifying STEM majors, for approved college expenses, alongside paid work and agency benefits. U.S. citizenship, academic eligibility, financial need and suitability/background reviews apply.

Service commitment: Typically 1.5 years of CIA employment for each program year, with required summer work.

Application status: CIA says it is not accepting applications for its Summer 2027 Stokes Scholar Program.

Official source: CIA Stokes Undergraduate Scholarship Program

Scholarships for women in cybersecurity

Women-focused funding can be restricted by geography, school, citizenship or academic program. Awards meant to increase access to education should not be confused with the professional training program listed later.

ESET Women in Cybersecurity Scholarship

ESET’s completed 2026 North American cycle offered two US$10,000 U.S. scholarships, one reserved for eligible applicants in the greater San Diego area, plus three C$5,000 awards in Canada. Applicants needed to identify as women, be accepted to or enrolled in an accredited college or university and show an interest in a cybersecurity-related STEM path and career.

Application status: The 2026 window closed April 8; the next deadline is unannounced. Geographic criteria differ by award.

Official source: ESET Women in Cybersecurity Scholarship

Samantha Jennings-Jones Memorial Scholarship

The Center for Cyber Safety and Education offers the $5,000 Samantha Jennings-Jones Memorial Scholarship to support a woman beginning or advancing in a cybersecurity career. The Center announced an award recipient in its 2026 scholarship cohort.

Application status: The Center’s 2026 academic cycle is closed and its next window has not been announced. Review the scholarship’s specific education and application criteria when the next cycle opens.

Official source: Samantha Jennings-Jones Memorial Scholarship

ISACA SheLeadsTech Scholarship

The ISACA Foundation’s SheLeadsTech Scholarship supports eligible women pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees related to cybersecurity, IT audit, information risk, security, governance or assurance. The documented 2026 offering included five $2,500 awards and an additional career-development package.

Its scholarship application page lists May 19, 2026 as the previous closing date; do not reuse that date as an unannounced future deadline.

Official source: ISACA SheLeadsTech Scholarship

Shon Harris WIS Memorial Scholarship

The ISSA Education Foundation’s Shon Harris Women in Security (WIS) Memorial Scholarship provides $2,000 to eligible undergraduate or graduate students pursuing cybersecurity or information-security careers.

Application status: The 2026 academic application period closed June 15; the next deadline is unannounced.

Official source: Shon Harris WIS Memorial Scholarship

ECCU President’s Scholarship for Women in Cybersecurity

EC-Council University advertises a $2,500 tuition reduction for eligible women pursuing its cybersecurity bachelor’s or master’s degrees. This is institution-specific assistance, not a scholarship that follows a student to another university.

Published application deadline: January 4, 2027, on ECCU’s program page. Applicants must follow the university’s letter and application requirements.

Official source: ECCU President’s Scholarship for Women in Cybersecurity

Scholarships for veterans and military families

Military-related eligibility can refer to active-duty service, a qualifying deployment, veteran status, or a spouse or dependent relationship. These are not interchangeable; read each sponsor’s service and student-status restrictions.

AFCEA War Veterans Scholarship

AFCEA provides a $2,500 War Veterans Scholarship for qualifying active-duty personnel and honorably discharged veterans, including eligible Guard and Reserve applicants, pursuing approved undergraduate STEM study such as cybersecurity. A qualifying overseas deployment, U.S. citizenship, sophomore or junior standing at an accredited four-year institution, and 3.0 GPA are among the stated conditions.

Application status: Closed; next window unannounced.

Official source: AFCEA War Veterans Scholarship

AFCEA iWorks Scholarship

The AFCEA iWorks Scholarship offers one $2,500 scholarship in the listed cycle to a qualifying spouse or child of a U.S. service member or veteran. Eligible applicants include sophomores through seniors and qualifying master’s students studying approved STEM fields. AFCEA specifies a 3.0 GPA and other institutional conditions.

Application status: Closed; check for the next cycle.

Official source: AFCEA iWorks Scholarship

ECCU Cybersecurity Veteran’s Scholarship

EC-Council University lists a 20% tuition reduction for qualifying new or continuing students who are U.S. military veterans or active-duty members, are self-paying and are not receiving VA funding options.

The reduction applies to qualifying ECCU study and is not portable. Students should confirm whether it can be combined with any other tuition benefit before enrolling.

Official source: ECCU Cybersecurity Veteran’s Scholarship

For additional information about military transitions and education, see the CybersecurityGuide.org veterans’ cybersecurity guide.

Cybersecurity training scholarships and professional-development funding

The following programs can support cybersecurity skill development or exams rather than ordinary college tuition. Scholarship recipients may need to complete training tiers, participate in professional development or meet separate program rules.

WiCyS Security Training Scholarship

The WiCyS Security Training Scholarship offers a multi-tier SANS-linked learning and mentoring pathway for eligible Women in CyberSecurity members age 18 or older who are new applicants and preparing to enter cybersecurity work within roughly 18 months. Certain existing employment, degree or GIAC-credential conditions can exclude applicants.

Application status: The September 2026 intake is closed. There is no stated post-graduation government work obligation.

Official source: WiCyS Security Training Scholarship

Microsoft Cybersecurity Scholarship Program

This Last Mile Education Fund initiative provides qualifying U.S. community-college students up to $500 in education-completion/basic-needs support or up to $375 in certification exam assistance.

The administrator currently states that applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. It is not an unrestricted degree tuition scholarship. The program is also summarized in the undergraduate section because its completion funding can help students stay enrolled.

Official source: Microsoft Cybersecurity Scholarship Program

ISSA/SANS training scholarship

The ISSA Education Foundation separately offers a SANS E. Eugene Schultz Jr. Memorial Training Scholarship to support eligible cybersecurity training, rather than the $3,500 E. Eugene Schultz Jr. graduate academic scholarship.

The documented 2026 training window closed April 30. Applicants should use the training scholarship’s own rules, including the listed North America residence requirement.

Official source: ISSA/SANS training scholarship

Cloud Security Alliance Professional Development Grant

Through the ISSA Education Foundation, the Cloud Security Alliance Professional Development Grant provides documented awards of $250 to $1,000 for qualifying cybersecurity professional development. It supports learning rather than college-degree tuition and is distinct from ISSAEF’s academic scholarships.

Application status: The 2026 application period closed April 30; no next opening has been verified.

Official source: Cloud Security Alliance Professional Development Grant

Where to begin the cybersecurity scholarship search

Begin close to home: college financial-aid and cybersecurity offices, local and state higher-education agencies, institutional scholarship portals and employer education benefits.

Follow with professional organizations such as AFCEA, ISSA, ISACA and ISC2’s Center for Cyber Safety and Education. Search service-linked government awards separately so you can compare their financial benefit with employment requirements.

Scholarship search websites and resources

Fastweb matches students to searchable awards; Scholarships.com provides scholarship listings by field; College Board BigFuture supports college funding searches; and Sallie scholarship search is another discovery tool.

These databases are starting points. Confirm awards, eligibility, deadlines and application links at the sponsoring organization before applying.

How to evaluate a cybersecurity scholarship

Use a short checklist before preparing an application:

  1. Am I eligible at my degree level and current year in school?
  2. Is cybersecurity, information security or my related major expressly eligible?
  3. Do I meet citizenship, residence, GPA, enrollment and participating-school rules?
  4. Is the award a fixed amount, an “up to” maximum, tuition-only funding, a reduction or a stipend?
  5. What educational expenses can it cover?
  6. Is the deadline for the currently announced application cycle?
  7. Does accepting the award create an internship, government service, recipient event or repayment obligation?

Confirm with the financial-aid office whether outside scholarships affect your other assistance. Read service agreements in full before accepting government-linked awards.

How to prepare a stronger scholarship application

Match each essay to its sponsor and use concrete cybersecurity examples, such as class projects, labs, competitions or research. Explain your contribution and results.

Request recommendations early, proofread each submission and keep copies. No application strategy guarantees an award.

When to begin the search

Scholarship deadlines vary. Begin early, maintain an application calendar and keep searching after enrollment. Institution-specific aid may not transfer to another school.

Scholarship scams and warning signs

The Federal Trade Commission warns against paying simply to apply for a scholarship, guaranteed-award promises, pressure to pay immediately, and requests for banking details to secure an award.

Verify the sponsor from an independent official source, and be wary of unexpected scholarship checks or requests to return part of a payment.

The FAFSA is free. Students should not share their Federal Student Aid account credentials with anyone promising to secure scholarship or federal aid money.

Scholarships and other financial aid

Academic scholarships can work alongside grants, student loans, work-study, employer tuition benefits or graduate assistantships, depending on award and school policies.

Grants generally do not require repayment if their conditions are met; loans do. Assistantships may require teaching or research work. Service-based awards have additional employment commitments.

The 2027–28 FAFSA is now available for eligible students applying for federal aid for study between July 1, 2027 and June 30, 2028. The FAFSA is an aid application, not a scholarship or a promise of an award. Students should use the FAFSA form for the school year they plan to attend and check their institution’s aid deadlines.

Last thoughts on cybersecurity scholarships

Focus on eligible awards that fit your needs. Verify current deadlines, institutional aid rules and government service obligations before accepting funding.

Research and editorial information
Scholarship information evaluated October 19, 2026 using official program sources. Awards and deadlines may change; a closed annual cycle does not necessarily mean a program has ended.

Frequently asked questions

What is a cybersecurity scholarship?

Financial support for students pursuing cybersecurity or an eligible related degree. Some awards focus exclusively on cybersecurity; others include it as one of several approved STEM fields.

What cybersecurity scholarships are currently available?

Active or recurring opportunities include AFCEA, ISACA Foundation, ISSA Education Foundation and ISC2 Center academic awards, plus some company, university and federal service-linked programs. The open application periods vary by sponsor.

Are there undergraduate cybersecurity scholarships?

Yes. Examples include AFCEA Cyber Security, Howard A. Schmidt Memorial, ISACA Foundation, ISC2 Center academic awards and Nightwing. Some community-college completion grants are a different form of assistance.

Are there graduate cybersecurity scholarships?

Yes. ISSAEF offers the Schultz graduate academic scholarship, AFCEA offers the Shrader award, and some ISACA, ISC2 Center and Nightwing programs accept eligible master’s students. Verify doctoral eligibility separately.

What is CyberAICorps Scholarship for Service?

It is NSF’s current AI-and-cybersecurity extension of the former CyberCorps SFS program. Students at participating institutions may receive tuition support, stipends and allowances in exchange for qualifying government service.

What is the Cyber Service Academy?

The Department of War Cyber Service Academy is a separate service-linked education program, formerly known as the DoD Cyber Scholarship Program, for eligible cyber students at participating institutions.

Are CyberAI SFS and the Cyber Service Academy the same?

No. The agencies, university arrangements, application routes and service commitments differ.

Are there cybersecurity scholarships for women?

Yes. Examples include ESET, ISACA SheLeadsTech, ISSAEF’s Shon Harris award, the Samantha Jennings-Jones scholarship and EC-Council University’s tuition reduction. Some women-focused programs fund training instead of tuition.

Are there scholarships for veterans and military families?

Yes. AFCEA offers awards for eligible military veterans and service members and a separate award for certain spouses or children. EC-Council University has a veteran tuition reduction with its own restrictions.

Do cybersecurity scholarships require a minimum GPA?

Requirements differ. Some AFCEA programs require a 3.0 GPA, the Shrader graduate scholarship requires 3.5, and other programs set different standards.

Do cybersecurity scholarships require U.S. citizenship?

Not all do. Many federal employment-linked awards have U.S. citizenship or federal work-eligibility requirements; some association awards accept international applicants.

Do scholarship recipients have to work for the government?

Not for most ordinary academic scholarships. CyberAI SFS, the Cyber Service Academy and agency Stokes programs have specific employment agreements.

Can online cybersecurity students receive scholarships?

Sometimes. AFCEA and ISC2 Center programs permit certain online students, but enrollment, institution and specific award requirements still apply.

When should students begin applying?

As early as practicable before the term needing funding. Continue searching after enrolling because programs have different deadlines and some offer recurring opportunities.

Can students apply for multiple scholarships?

Often, yes. Sponsors or colleges may limit simultaneous awards or adjust financial-aid packages, so check each award’s conditions.

Do scholarships have to be repaid?

Ordinary scholarships usually do not need repayment when their requirements are met. Government service-based awards may require repayment or impose other consequences if a service agreement is breached.

Can scholarships cover books, fees or equipment?

Some do, while others are tuition-only or provide stipends or restricted allowances. The official award rules control eligible expenses.

How do students find legitimate cybersecurity scholarships?

Start with institutional and official sponsor pages, then use scholarship directories for discovery. Confirm the terms and application instructions directly with the sponsoring organization before sharing personal information.

References

Official program information and award rules are linked in the individual listings. Additional high-value references include: