Does FAFSA Cover Cybersecurity Bootcamps?

Cybersecurity bootcamps are not inexpensive. Among the leading cybersecurity bootcamps listed by Fortune magazine for 2023, the average cost is about $12,500 for a six-month (or 24-week) program.

Other than working for years to save up that amount, having a wealthy benefactor who offers to pay your way through school, or taking out a high-interest bank loan, you may be wondering, 'How can I come up with funds to finance attending a cybersecurity bootcamp?'

In particular, you might be wondering if filling out a FAFSA form to apply for federal and state financial aid might help open doors for financial support in a cybersecurity bootcamp program.

To answer that question, let's first look at what a cybersecurity bootcamp is, how it differs from a cybersecurity degree program, and whether it might be accredited.

What Is a Cybersecurity Bootcamp?

In recent years, bootcamps have become popular ways for students, especially those already in the workforce, to learn practical, specialized career skills in a new subfield while also maintaining their 'day jobs.'

Usually available online, on-campus, or in hybrid forms, bootcamps are intense learning experiences lasting, on average, six months.

Many are offered as non-degree professional development programs through colleges and universities, while you can find others through corporate, for-profit educational programs such as QuickStart or Simplilearn.

What Subject Matter Does Cybersecurity Bootcamp Cover?

Typical modules or units in the curriculum for cybersecurity bootcamps include:

• security fundamentals for host-based security, network security, application security
• security operations (SecOps)
• offensive and defensive security tactics
• security assessment and testing
• network systems administration and network security
• IT project management
• incident management
• AI applications in cybersecurity
• asset and inventory management
• programming with Python

Do Cybersecurity Bootcamps Prepare You for a Certification?

Yes, most bootcamps prepare students for the CompTIA Network+ and Security+ exams, an essential security certification.

You may also be qualified for Linux+, Server+, and Cloud+ certifications.

Are Cybersecurity Bootcamps Accredited?

The vast majority of cybersecurity bootcamps, even those offered by well-known and highly respected colleges and universities, are not accredited since they are not degree programs and are generally classified as professional studies programs.

These include cybersecurity bootcamps from universities such as Northwestern University, George Washington University, Southern Methodist University, Ohio State University, the University of Minnesota, and many others.

As of October 2023, the single accredited cybersecurity program listed in the Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs is the Cybersecurity Institute at Lab Four, based in Memphis, TN.

How Is a Cybersecurity Bootcamp Different from a Cybersecurity Degree Program?

Unlike bachelor's or master's degree programs in cybersecurity, cybersecurity bootcamps:

• may be offered by corporate professional training programs in addition to nonprofit or for-profit academic institutions (private or public)
• do not confer academic credits as do degree programs
• are generally not accredited at the program level by independent accrediting bodies at the national or regional level
• are short, intense programs averaging six months in length as compared to several years for a degree program
• provide more targeted, practical knowledge and less theoretical and comprehensive knowledge than an academic degree in cybersecurity would require
• are less expensive than a longer degree program
• do not qualify students for federal financial aid through FAFSA (the Free Application for Federal Student Aid)

Why Are Cybersecurity Bootcamps Not Covered by FAFSA for Federal Financial Aid?

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a process that college and university students nationwide use to apply for financial aid.

According to studentaid.gov, the U.S. Department of Education's resource site for federal financial aid, federal financial aid is only available when students attend a DOE-designated qualified institution, and programs require accreditation.

As we explained above, because of the nature of cybersecurity bootcamps, fewer than 1% of them are accredited programs, even if the universities that host them are accredited and DOE-qualified.

This is because they are not credit-bearing or degree-granting programs but instead are generally found in an institution's continuing education or professional programs offerings.

How Can I Find Financial Assistance to Enroll in a Cybersecurity Bootcamp?

We understand that coming up with a lump sum of $12,000-$14,000 can appear formidable. However, even without federal financial aid through FAFSA, you do have some options.

Flexible Payment Plans

Instead of paying a single lump sum upfront, most bootcamps offer flexible payment options. Find out what kind of alternative payment options are available at the bootcamps that interest you. Monthly installments may work well with your income stream.

Bootcamp Loans

Another question to ask about each bootcamp is whether they have low-interest loans available that have been designed specifically for bootcamp students. Many lenders specialize in bootcamp loans; check out Climb Credit, Ascent, Upstart, Affirm, or Earnest.

Scholarships

Your bootcamp institution, a funding agency, or your employer may offer scholarships that will partially or perhaps even fully cover your bootcamp tuition. You may qualify for a needs-based scholarship or one based on merit.

Also, many organizations seek to diversify the tech industry, so you will find special bootcamp scholarship opportunities for veterans, women in tech, and people of color.

For example, Springboard.com has committed $10 million to scholarships from 2022-2030 to increase access to educational opportunities through its:

• Women in Technology Scholarship
• Diversity in Tech Scholarship
• Needs-Based Scholarship
• Career Reboot Scholarship

Find the Best Cybersecurity Program To Fit Your Needs

If you are already in the workforce and would like to infuse your skillset with an intensive burst of knowledge to take your cybersecurity career to the next level, then a cybersecurity bootcamp may be exactly what you need.

While the price tag may seem steep at first glance, keep in mind that if it qualifies you for a promotion or a new job, the potential income increase will make your investment worthwhile. Explore the various avenues we mentioned above for funding assistance.