Cybersecurity Guide

Cybersecurity Scholarships and Funding Guide for 2027

Last updated:

Written by Aireal Liddle

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

In this guide

Cybersecurity students can find financial support from professional associations, cybersecurity companies, universities and the federal government. Some programs provide traditional scholarship money, while others combine education funding with internships or required government service.

Application periods vary considerably. A program can remain an established recurring scholarship even when its latest application cycle has closed, so students should use the sponsor’s official page to confirm the next application period before applying.

Quick answer: What cybersecurity scholarships are available in 2027?

Cybersecurity students can pursue academic scholarships from organizations such as ISACA, AFCEA, the ISSA Education Foundation, the Center for Cyber Safety and Education, ESET and other sponsors.

Undergraduate and graduate students may also qualify for government programs such as CyberAICorps Scholarship for Service, while some high-school seniors can pursue NSA’s Stokes Educational Scholarship Program.

Women, veterans and military families have additional targeted opportunities. Because application cycles change, students should confirm the current deadline and eligibility requirements on the sponsor’s official website rather than assuming a previous year’s date applies.

At a glance

  • Opportunities include traditional academic scholarships, institution-specific tuition reductions, service-based scholarships and separately identified training awards.
  • Undergraduate and graduate cybersecurity students both have funding options.
  • Major federal programs can cover substantially more than a typical fixed-dollar scholarship but usually carry employment or service commitments.
  • Several women-focused and military-family opportunities remain available or recurring.
  • Verification date: September 10, 2026.
  • No unannounced 2027 application deadline is extrapolated from an earlier cycle.

Cybersecurity scholarship overview

A cybersecurity scholarship is financial support for students studying cybersecurity, information security or another eligible related field. Some programs are cybersecurity-specific; others are broader STEM scholarships that explicitly include cybersecurity among eligible majors.

Students should also distinguish scholarships from certifications and academic certificates. CompTIA Security+, CISSP, CEH and GIAC credentials are professional certifications, not scholarships. A university cybersecurity certificate is an academic program rather than financial aid.

That distinction matters because a scholarship helps fund education, while a certificate or certification is something a student pays for or earns.

Types of cybersecurity scholarships and funding

Academic scholarships: Provide money for tuition or other approved educational costs. Awards may be fixed amounts, ranges or tuition reductions.

Service-based scholarships: Provide substantial education funding in exchange for government employment, internships or other required service. Students should understand those commitments before accepting an award.

Training scholarships: Cover professional education, skills development, certification preparation or exam costs. They can be valuable, but they are different from scholarships that pay college tuition.

Other financial aid: Grants, federal aid, work-study, assistantships and employer tuition assistance can supplement scholarship funding.

Beginning your scholarship search

Begin by identifying which opportunities fit your degree level and circumstances. An undergraduate student should not spend time on graduate-only awards, and a student who is not eligible for a required government clearance should carefully evaluate service-based programs before applying.

Start with your school’s financial-aid and scholarship offices. Institution-specific aid can sometimes be easier to identify there than through a national scholarship search. Then expand the search to professional associations, employers, government programs, state higher-education agencies and major scholarship databases.

Before applications open, prepare reusable materials such as:

  • Academic transcripts
  • A current resume
  • A list of projects, competitions, internships and cybersecurity activities
  • Examples of leadership or community involvement
  • Potential recommendation contacts
  • A basic personal statement that can be customized for individual applications

Selection criteria vary. A strong GPA may matter for programs that explicitly evaluate academic performance, but grades are not the sole criterion for every scholarship.

Undergraduate cybersecurity scholarships

AFCEA Cyber Security Scholarship

The AFCEA Educational Foundation’s Cyber Security Scholarship provides $5,000 to qualifying undergraduate students. Applicants must be full-time sophomores or juniors at an accredited four-year U.S. college or university, maintain at least a 3.0 GPA, and be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

Online degree programs are eligible, and cybersecurity is explicitly included among qualifying majors. The latest application period is closed; students should check AFCEA for the next announced cycle.

Official source: AFCEA Educational Foundation

Howard A. Schmidt Memorial Scholarship

The ISSA Education Foundation offers the $3,500 Howard A. Schmidt Memorial Scholarship for undergraduate studies. ISSAEF’s academic scholarships are intended for students pursuing cybersecurity or information-security-related careers.

Applicants must be at least sophomores when the award is received. The verified 2026 application period ran February 1 through June 15; a 2027 deadline had not been announced as of the evaluation date.

Official source: ISSA Education Foundation

ISACA Foundation Scholarship Program

The ISACA Foundation’s global scholarship program supports students pursuing cybersecurity, IT audit and other digital-trust fields. The cycle announced September 9, 2026 offers scholarships ranging from $500 to $5,000, with applications accepted through November 3, 2026. The program supports higher-education students worldwide and includes career-development support in addition to degree funding.

Official source: ISACA Foundation

ISC2 Center for Cyber Safety and Education Academic Scholarships

The Center for Cyber Safety and Education, ISC2’s charitable arm, provides global academic scholarships for students pursuing cybersecurity-focused associate, undergraduate and graduate education.

The Center awarded a new cohort of associate, undergraduate and graduate scholarships in August 2026, confirming that the academic program remains active. Students should check the Center for its next application cycle and current award terms.

Official source: Center for Cyber Safety and Education

Nightwing Scholarship

Nightwing and the AFCEA Educational Foundation offer a $5,000 scholarship for study related to national security, cyber and intelligence. Eligible applicants include undergraduate sophomores, juniors and seniors as well as master’s students at accredited community colleges or four-year institutions. Qualifying fields include cybersecurity, computer science, cybersecurity engineering and information security and assurance. The latest application cycle is closed.

Official source: AFCEA / Nightwing

vCISO Cybersecurity Scholarship

Fractional CISO’s vCISO Cybersecurity Scholarship provides $1,000 to a student majoring in cybersecurity full-time in the United States. Undergraduate and graduate students age 18 or older can qualify. The 2026 cycle closed May 31, 2026. A 2027 deadline should not be assumed until Fractional CISO publishes one.

Official source: Fractional CISO

Broader community-college cybersecurity support

The Microsoft Cybersecurity Scholarship Program, powered by Last Mile Education Fund, provides U.S. community-college cybersecurity students with up to $500 in financial assistance and up to $375 in certification-exam subsidies. Because this support includes emergency/completion funding and exam assistance rather than a conventional tuition scholarship, students should treat it as supplemental cybersecurity education funding.

Official source: Microsoft Cybersecurity Skills Initiative

Graduate cybersecurity scholarships

E. Eugene Schultz Jr. Memorial Scholarship

The ISSA Education Foundation offers $3,500 through the E. Eugene Schultz Jr. Memorial Scholarship for graduate studies. Applicants must be pursuing cybersecurity or information-security-related education. ISSAEF’s verified 2026 application period ran through June 15; check the sponsor for the next announced deadline.

Official source: ISSA Education Foundation

Ralph W. Shrader Graduate Scholarship

AFCEA’s Ralph W. Shrader Graduate Scholarship provides $3,000 to qualifying full-time graduate students pursuing eligible STEM fields, including cybersecurity. Applicants must be at least in their second semester, take two or more semester-equivalent courses, attend an accredited U.S. institution, and meet other eligibility requirements. Scholarship funds are restricted to tuition and course-related costs. The latest application period is closed.

Official source: AFCEA Educational Foundation

Nightwing Scholarship

Master’s students are eligible for the $5,000 Nightwing Scholarship when they meet AFCEA’s requirements and are pursuing an eligible major such as cybersecurity or information security and assurance.

Official source: AFCEA / Nightwing

ISACA Foundation Scholarship Program

Graduate students pursuing cybersecurity, IT audit and related digital-trust fields may qualify for the global ISACA Foundation Scholarship Program. The cycle announced September 9, 2026 provides awards of $500-$5,000 and closes November 3, 2026.

Official source: ISACA Foundation

ISC2 Center academic scholarships

Graduate and postgraduate cybersecurity students are among the populations supported by the Center for Cyber Safety and Education’s global academic scholarship program.

Official source: Center for Cyber Safety and Education

Graduate funding beyond external scholarships

Graduate students should also investigate university assistantships, fellowships, research positions, employer tuition assistance and institution-specific scholarships. Availability depends on the university and program, so these should be evaluated directly with the academic department and financial-aid office.

Government and service-based cybersecurity scholarships

Government scholarship programs can provide unusually substantial education funding, but students should not treat them as unrestricted gift aid. Employment, internship, citizenship, clearance or service obligations may apply.

CyberAICorps Scholarship for Service

The National Science Foundation changed the program name from CyberCorps Scholarship for Service to CyberAICorps Scholarship for Service (CyberAI SFS) in 2026. Students may still encounter the CyberCorps or SFS name on OPM’s public systems.

CyberAI SFS can provide up to three years of support to eligible cybersecurity undergraduate and graduate students at participating institutions. Current program rules provide tuition and required education-related fees, academic-year stipends of $27,000 for undergraduate students and $37,000 for graduate students, and an annual professional allowance.

Recipients must complete required internships and qualifying post-graduation government service. The service period generally equals the length of scholarship support. Eligibility includes U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents who meet program and participating-institution requirements. Students apply through participating institutions rather than directly through NSF’s institutional grant competition.

Official source: NSF CyberAI SFS solicitation | OPM Scholarship for Service student portal

Department of War Cyber Service Academy

The DoW Cyber Service Academy, formerly known as the Department of Defense Cyber Scholarship Program, provides substantial funding for students pursuing cyber-related disciplines through participating institutions.

For the Fall 2026-Spring 2027 academic term, advertised benefits include full tuition and fees, books and supplies, a living stipend, a DoW 8140 certification allowance, a paid summer internship and a post-graduation career opportunity, with eligibility for as many as five years of support.

The recruitment scholarship carries government employment obligations. Students should confirm their institution’s participation, current application instructions and service terms before applying.

Official source: DoW Cyber Service Academy announcement

NSA Stokes Educational Scholarship Program

NSA’s Stokes Educational Scholarship Program is a service-based opportunity for qualifying high-school seniors. Cybersecurity is explicitly among the eligible planned majors.

For the summer 2027 program, NSA states that applications are accepted beginning September 1. Benefits include up to $30,000 per year for tuition and fees, a year-round salary, and qualifying housing and travel support for summer employment. Participants receive a guaranteed NSA position after graduation if program requirements are met.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens, be high-school seniors, be able to obtain a security clearance and meet academic/testing requirements. Recipients agree to work for NSA after graduation for at least 1.5 times the length of their scholarship-supported study.

Official source: NSA Stokes Educational Scholarship Program

CIA Stokes Undergraduate Scholarship Program

CIA’s Stokes Undergraduate Scholarship Program is a financial-need-based service program in which participants attend college full time and work for CIA during summer breaks. The agency’s student-program information includes OS/cybersecurity and security engineering/cyber-defense career areas.

CIA currently states that it is not accepting applications for the Summer 2027 Stokes Scholar Program. Students should therefore monitor the official program page rather than treating a previous application window as current. Participants must meet CIA employment requirements, including U.S. citizenship and background-investigation requirements.

Official source: CIA Stokes Undergraduate Scholarship Program

Scholarships for women in cybersecurity

ESET Women in Cybersecurity Scholarship

ESET’s Women in Cybersecurity Scholarship completed its eleventh annual North American cycle in 2026. U.S. awards included two $10,000 scholarships, while Canadian awards were also offered. Applicants had to identify as women, attend or be accepted to an accredited college or university, and demonstrate an interest in cybersecurity, technology or a related STEM field and a cybersecurity career. The 2026 application window was March 8 through April 8. Because ESET has not yet published the 2027 application deadline, students should monitor the official scholarship page rather than assuming the same dates will apply.

Official source: ESET Women in Cybersecurity Scholarship

Samantha Jennings-Jones Memorial Scholarship

The Center for Cyber Safety and Education awards the $5,000 Samantha Jennings-Jones Memorial Scholarship annually to support a woman seeking to start or advance a career in cybersecurity. A recipient was announced as part of the Center’s 2026 scholarship cohort.

Official source: Center for Cyber Safety and Education

ISACA SheLeadsTech Scholarship

The ISACA Foundation awards yearly SheLeadsTech Scholarships to women pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees in IT audit, risk, security, assurance or cybersecurity. Degree funding is paired with a career-building package. The verified 2026 deadline was May 5; students should wait for ISACA to announce the next cycle rather than extrapolating that date to 2027.

Official source: ISACA SheLeadsTech

Shon Harris WIS Memorial Scholarship

The ISSA Education Foundation’s Shon Harris WIS (Women in Security) Memorial Scholarship provides $2,000 for eligible undergraduate or graduate cybersecurity/information-security students. The 2026 application cycle ran February 1 through June 15.

Official source: ISSA Education Foundation

ECCU President’s Scholarship for Women in Cybersecurity

EC-Council University’s dedicated scholarship page states that its President’s Scholarship for Women in Cybersecurity offers a $2,500 tuition reduction toward an ECCU bachelor’s or master’s degree. The current page gives an application deadline of October 5, 2026. This is institution-specific funding and cannot be transferred to another university.

Official source: EC-Council University

Scholarships for veterans and military families

Military status alone does not make every military-oriented award a veterans scholarship. Applicants should check whether an opportunity covers active-duty personnel, veterans, Guard/Reserve members, spouses or dependents.

AFCEA War Veterans Scholarship

AFCEA’s War Veterans Scholarship provides $2,500 to qualifying active-duty personnel or honorably discharged veterans pursuing eligible STEM undergraduate education, including cybersecurity. Requirements include U.S. citizenship and other service, enrollment and academic criteria. The latest verified cycle is closed; students should check AFCEA for the next application period.

Official source: AFCEA Educational Foundation

AFCEA iWorks Scholarship

The iWorks Scholarship provides one $2,500 award to the spouse or child of a U.S. military service member or veteran. Eligible students may attend accredited community colleges or four-year institutions. Undergraduate sophomores, juniors and seniors and master’s students can qualify, and eligible STEM fields include cybersecurity-related study. The current application period is closed.

Official source: AFCEA iWorks Scholarship

ECCU Cybersecurity Veteran’s Scholarship

ECCU’s 2026 catalog documents a 20% tuition deduction for qualifying new or continuing students who are active-duty U.S. military members or U.S. military veterans, are self-paying and are not receiving VA funding options. The award continues through the recipient’s program of study under the scholarship’s conditions. Students should not confuse this award with ECCU’s separate Hero’s Scholarship for other qualifying service professionals.

Official source: EC-Council University 2026 Catalog

Cybersecurity training scholarships and professional-development funding

Training awards can reduce the cost of entering cybersecurity, but they should not be presented as interchangeable with college tuition scholarships.

WiCyS Security Training Scholarship

The WiCyS Security Training Scholarship is a multi-tiered professional-development program for WiCyS members who are seeking cybersecurity employment within approximately 1.5 years. It is intended for students and career changers and emphasizes cybersecurity skills development. Applications for the 2026 program are open September 1-30, 2026.

Official source: WiCyS Security Training Scholarship

Microsoft Cybersecurity Scholarship Program

Microsoft’s program with Last Mile Education Fund offers qualifying low-income U.S. community-college students up to $500 in financial assistance and up to $375 in cybersecurity certification-exam subsidies. Its combination of education-completion and certification support makes it useful supplemental funding, but it should not be characterized as a conventional four-year tuition scholarship.

Official source: Microsoft Cybersecurity Skills Initiative

ISSA/SANS training scholarship

ISSA Education Foundation also maintains a separate SANS E. Eugene Schultz Jr. Memorial Training Scholarship in addition to its academic scholarships. Applicants should distinguish this professional training award from the $3,500 graduate academic scholarship carrying the same honoree’s name.

Official source: ISSA Education Foundation

Where to begin the cybersecurity scholarship search

Start with the sources closest to your education. A high-school counselor may know local or state awards. Current college students should check their school’s financial-aid office, cybersecurity department and scholarship portal. State higher-education agencies can provide information about state grants and scholarships.

Professional organizations such as AFCEA, ISACA, ISSA and ISC2’s Center for Cyber Safety and Education are particularly useful because cybersecurity or information-security students are explicitly represented in their programs. Federal service programs deserve a separate search because their benefits can be substantial, but applicants must understand service requirements. Employers may also provide tuition assistance or education benefits.

Scholarship search websites and resources

Fastweb: A free scholarship search service using a student profile to provide personalized matches.

Scholarships.com: Provides searchable scholarship listings, including a cybersecurity-major directory. Use it for discovery rather than as the final authority for individual scholarship facts.

College Board BigFuture: Can help students explore scholarships and college-planning resources.

Scholarship Search by Sallie: Another general scholarship-discovery resource.

Whenever a database produces a promising result, open the sponsor’s official website and independently verify the eligibility requirements, award amount, deadline and application instructions.

How to evaluate a cybersecurity scholarship

  1. Am I eligible at my current degree level?
  2. Does my major qualify?
  3. Does the program require citizenship, residency or attendance at a participating institution?
  4. How much funding is actually guaranteed to a recipient?
  5. What expenses can the award cover?
  6. Is the displayed deadline for the current application cycle?
  7. Does accepting the award create an internship, employment or service obligation?

For government programs, the final question is especially important.

How to prepare a stronger scholarship application

Read the instructions before drafting anything. Scholarship committees differ, and a generic application may fail to address what a sponsor is actually evaluating.

Use concrete examples to demonstrate cybersecurity interest. Coursework, security labs, competitions, capture-the-flag participation, home labs, internships, open-source work, research and cybersecurity clubs can all provide stronger evidence than simply saying that cybersecurity is interesting.

Quantify accomplishments when possible and customize essays to the award. Ask recommenders early and give them enough information to write a specific recommendation. Keep copies of submitted applications and maintain a calendar of deadlines and required documents.

When to begin the search

There is no universal cybersecurity scholarship deadline. Some programs open months before the academic year begins, while others operate later or provide recurring opportunities. Students should therefore start early but continue searching after enrolling. A scholarship calendar can track opening dates, deadlines, recommendation requests and decision dates.

Do not assume that an award automatically transfers between universities. Institutional restrictions and eligible expenses vary.

Scholarship scams and warning signs

The Federal Trade Commission warns students never to pay simply to apply for a scholarship. Claims that a scholarship is guaranteed, requests for bank or credit-card information to reserve an award, unexpected processing fees and high-pressure payment tactics are major warning signs.

Official source: FTC scholarship and financial-aid scam guidance

Verify the sponsor independently before providing sensitive information. FAFSA is free to complete, and students should never pay someone merely to submit the federal form for them.

Scholarships and other financial aid

Scholarships are only one piece of an education-funding plan. Grants generally provide aid that does not need to be repaid when program conditions are met. Loans are borrowed funds. Work-study provides employment-based aid.

Graduate assistantships exchange research, teaching or administrative work for compensation and sometimes tuition benefits. Employer tuition programs help employees pay eligible education costs. Service-based cybersecurity programs occupy another category because their education funding is tied to required employment.

Students should also investigate federal student aid. Federal Student Aid states that the 2027-28 FAFSA will be available by October 1, 2026 for students seeking aid for attendance between July 1, 2027 and June 30, 2028. Completing FAFSA does not guarantee aid and is not itself a scholarship.

Official source: Federal Student Aid – FAFSA

Last thoughts on cybersecurity scholarships

A productive scholarship strategy emphasizes fit rather than sheer application volume. Start early, check institutional and external funding, verify every deadline on an official source and focus on opportunities whose eligibility requirements genuinely match your situation.

For federal service scholarships, evaluate the employment commitment as carefully as the financial benefit. Continue searching after enrollment because new opportunities and new application cycles can become available throughout a student’s degree.

Research and editorial information

Scholarship information on this page was evaluated on September 10, 2026. Award amounts, eligibility rules and application periods can change after publication.

A previous year’s deadline is not presented as a 2027 deadline unless the sponsoring organization has officially announced the 2027 date. Students should confirm current information on the official program page immediately before applying.

Frequently asked questions about cybersecurity scholarships

What is a cybersecurity scholarship?

A cybersecurity scholarship is education funding available to students studying cybersecurity or another qualifying related field. Some are limited to cybersecurity majors, while broader STEM scholarships may explicitly include cybersecurity.

What cybersecurity scholarships are available in 2027?

Current and recurring programs include scholarships from cybersecurity professional associations, foundations, companies and universities, along with federal service-based programs. Application cycles differ, and many sponsors had not yet announced their 2027 deadlines as of September 10, 2026.

Are there undergraduate cybersecurity scholarships?

Yes. Examples include AFCEA’s Cyber Security Scholarship, the Howard A. Schmidt Memorial Scholarship, ISACA Foundation scholarships and ISC2 Center academic scholarships. Eligibility varies by year in school, institution, citizenship and other requirements.

Are there graduate cybersecurity scholarships?

Yes. Graduate students can investigate the E. Eugene Schultz Jr. Memorial Scholarship, Ralph W. Shrader Graduate Scholarship, ISACA Foundation scholarships, ISC2 Center academic scholarships and other programs.

What is CyberAICorps Scholarship for Service?

CyberAI SFS is NSF’s current name for the program previously called CyberCorps Scholarship for Service. Participating institutions provide substantial cybersecurity education funding in exchange for qualifying government service.

What is the DoW Cyber Service Academy?

The DoW Cyber Service Academy is a government cybersecurity education program that can provide tuition and fees, other educational support, a living stipend and a paid internship in exchange for post-graduation government service.

Are CyberAI SFS and the DoW Cyber Service Academy the same program?

No. They are separate programs with different administering organizations, participating-institution structures, application procedures and service rules.

Are there cybersecurity scholarships for women?

Yes. Current or recurring examples include the ESET Women in Cybersecurity Scholarship, Samantha Jennings-Jones Memorial Scholarship, ISACA SheLeadsTech Scholarship, Shon Harris WIS Memorial Scholarship and ECCU President’s Scholarship for Women in Cybersecurity.

Are there cybersecurity scholarships for veterans?

Yes, although eligibility varies. AFCEA maintains a War Veterans Scholarship, and ECCU maintains a Cybersecurity Veteran’s Scholarship. Military spouses and children can also investigate AFCEA’s iWorks Scholarship.

Do cybersecurity scholarships require a certain GPA?

Some do and some do not. Several AFCEA programs specify minimum GPAs. Always follow the individual sponsor’s eligibility rules.

Do cybersecurity scholarships require U.S. citizenship?

Not universally. Federal service programs generally impose citizenship or other federal eligibility requirements, while programs such as ISACA Foundation scholarships can have broader international eligibility.

Do scholarship recipients have to work for the government?

Only some programs. CyberAI SFS, the DoW Cyber Service Academy, NSA Stokes and CIA Stokes are examples of programs connected to government employment or service. Ordinary academic scholarships generally do not carry those obligations.

Can online cybersecurity students receive scholarships?

Some scholarships permit students in qualifying online programs. Others impose institution, enrollment or program requirements. Check each sponsor’s rules.

When should students apply?

Start before the academic year for which funding is needed and continue searching throughout school. Deadlines vary substantially, so maintain a calendar rather than relying on a single scholarship season.

Can students apply for multiple scholarships?

Generally, students can apply to multiple programs, but individual sponsors can restrict simultaneous awards or outside funding. Review each program’s terms.

Do scholarships need to be repaid?

Traditional scholarships generally do not require repayment when their terms are met. Service-based programs can impose repayment or other consequences if a recipient fails to satisfy required service.

Can scholarship funds cover books, fees or equipment?

Sometimes. Eligible expenses vary by program. Some scholarships are tuition-only, while programs such as CyberAI SFS provide additional allowances.

How can students find legitimate cybersecurity scholarships?

Start with official university financial-aid offices, cybersecurity associations, foundations, government program websites and reputable search databases. Confirm every promising scholarship with its sponsoring organization before applying.

References and official resources