By Will Geiger

Will Geiger is the co-founder of Scholarships360 and has a decade of experience in college admissions and financial aid. He is a former Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at Kenyon College where he personally reviewed 10,000 admissions applications and essays. Will also managed the Kenyon College merit scholarship program and served on the financial aid appeals committee. He has also worked as an Associate Director of College Counseling at a high school in New Haven, Connecticut. Will earned his master’s in education from the University of Pennsylvania and received his undergraduate degree in history from Wake Forest University.

Posted: September 21st, 2021

Cyber security, or information security, is quickly becoming a popular major for many students. This is not surprising, because according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, information security jobs are growing “much faster than average” and the average salary is nearly $100,000 per year. If you are passionate about technology and enjoy problem solving, cybersecurity could be a great career pathway for you. Keep on reading to learn more about cybersecurity scholarships to pay for your education!

Jump ahead to:

• Top Cybersecurity Scholarships in 2021
• Need-based Financial Aid for Cybersecurity Students
• Summary of Cybersecurity Scholarships
• Upcoming Scholarships

Top cybersecurity scholarships 

Association of Former Intelligence Officers Scholarships

• Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students majoring in National Security, International Relations and/or Intelligence
• Amount: $1,000 to $3,500
• Deadline: June 1, 2022

Lint Center Scholarships

• Eligibility: There are a variety of scholarships available for students with an interest in a career in national security, including some scholarships specifically for veterans.
• Amount: Up to $2,000
• Deadline: Applications are due in January and July

The following Center for Cyber Safety and Education Scholarships open in November 2021, but start preparing now!

(ISC)2 RVA Chapter Scholarship

• Eligibility: High school juniors, seniors, or current undergraduate students who reside in the Richmond, Virginia Metro area.
• Amount: $1,000
• Deadline: December 13, 2021

(ISC)2 Women’s Cybersecurity Scholarship

• Eligibility: High school seniors, college undergraduate, or graduate students who are intending to pursue a degree in cybersecurity or information assurance.
• Amount: $1,000 to $6,000
• Deadline: February 28, 2022

KnowBe4 Women’s Scholarship

• Eligibility: Female students who are planning on pursuing a degree in cybersecurity, information assurance, or a similar field. Students must be high school seniors, college students, or masters students.
• Amount: Up to $10,000
• Deadline: February 28, 2022

(ISC)2 Graduate Scholarships

• Eligibility:  Open masters or doctoral pursuing a degree in cybersecurity or information assurance.
• Amount: $1,000 to $5,000
• Deadline: March 7, 2022

(ISC)2 Undergraduate Scholarships

• Eligibility:  Open to high school seniors or undergraduate college students who are interested in pursuing a degree in cybersecurity or information assurance.
• Amount: $1,000 to $5,000
• Deadline: March 7, 2022

KnowBe4 Scholarship for Black Americans in Cybersecurity

• Eligibility: African American or Black students who will be an undergraduate or graduate student in 2021 pursuing a degree in cybersecurity or a related field.
• Amount: Up to $10,000
• Deadline: April 18, 2022 (Opens: February 1, 2022)

Need-based financial aid for cybersecurity students

If you are a current or prospective cybersecurity student, you may also qualify for need-based financial aid through your college or through the government. There are two major financial aid applications you should know about:

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA) which is how students can access financial aid through the government. This financial aid can include federal student loans, Federal SEOG Grants, and Pell Grants.

CSS Profile which is how some colleges and universities award institutional financial aid.

You should check-in with your college to see what applications are required for need-based financial aid!

Summary of cybersecurity scholarships

1. Association of Former Intelligence Officers Scholarships
2. Lint Center Scholarships
3. (ISC)2 RVA Chapter Scholarship
4. (ISC)2 Women’s Cybersecurity Scholarship
5. KnowBe4 Women’s Scholarship
6. (ISC)2 Graduate Scholarships
7. (ISC)2 Undergraduate Scholarships
8. KnowBe4 Scholarship for Black Americans in Cybersecurity

Upcoming Scholarships

CIA Undergraduate and Graduate Scholarships

• Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students
• Amount: $18,000 per year, plus annual salary, meals, living stipend, summer internship, and more
• Opens: March 1, 2022

Palantir Women in Technology

• Eligibility: College freshman, sophomore, or juniors who are majoring/plan to major in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a closely related technical field
• Amount: $7,000 (10 scholarships awarded)

Raytheon Intelligence & Space Women’s Cyber Security Scholarship

• Eligibility: High school seniors, undergraduate or graduate students with at least a 3.3 GPA or higher who are pursuing a cybersecurity or information security degree
• Amount: $10,000
• Opens: April 1, 2022

SAIC Cyber Warrior Scholarship

• Eligibility: Students must be honorably discharged from one of the five U.S. military branches by April 14, 2021. This scholarship supports students who are pursuing cybersecurity certification training.
• Amount: Varies
• Opens: January 1, 2022

SWSIS Scholarships

• Eligibility: Women pursuing bachelors and masters degrees in fields relating to information security
• Amount: Up to $10,000
• Opens: December 15, 2021