Cybersecurity Degree Scholarships for Veterans

Cybersecurity experts are needed to protect information, networks, and infrastructures from harmful cyberattacks � and veterans are among the candidates businesses are looking to hire.

In order to enter the field, many companies require candidates to have a bachelor's degree in cybersecurity or a related field � or comparable cybersecurity training.

Fortunately, there are a lot of in-person and online cybersecurity programs available for students interested in working as cybersecurity professionals.

If you'd like to enroll but need financial assistance, read on to learn all about cybersecurity scholarships for veterans.

List of Veteran Cybersecurity Scholarships

Businesses, organizations � and even the U.S. government � offer cybersecurity scholarships for veterans who want to lower tuition costs or get a free education.

Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship

The Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship provides students $30,000 or up to 9 months of benefits for STEM training.

Eligible undergraduate degree programs include computer and information science and support services.

Veterans interested in this scholarship must qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

Infosec Accelerate Military & Veteran Scholarship

The Infosec Accelerate Military & Veteran Scholarship provides a scholarship to an active military member or veteran who wants to pursue a cybersecurity career.

The winner will receive one of four scholarships from the Infosec Accelerate Scholarship Program aimed to help women, BIPOC, the LGBTQI+ community, and those in the military.

Winners will receive an Infosec Boot Camp, valued at up to $4,999, which helps build skills needed to launch and excel in cybersecurity careers.

KnowBe4 Military, Veteran and Spouses Cybersecurity Scholarship

The KnowBe4 Military, Veteran and Spouses Cybersecurity Scholarship offers eligible students $10,000 for tuition, fees, books, and electronics.

As much as $3,000 can be applied to housing.

KnowBe4, a simulated phishing platform and provider of security awareness training, partnered with the Center for Cyber Safety and Education to create the scholarship.

AFCEA War Veterans Scholarships

AFCEA International offers AFCEA War Veterans Scholarships designed for active duty personnel, U.S. veterans, and other military personnel. Eligible students receive $2,500 for a full-time STEM program.

Students must be enrolled and taking classes in an eligible full-time or part-time undergraduate STEM program at an accredited four-year college or university in the U.S.

On-campus and online cybersecurity programs are among those eligible for tuition assistance.

CyberCorps�: Scholarship for Service (SFS)

While the CyberCorps�: Scholarship for Service (SFS) is not a program created specifically for veterans, it is still worth mentioning.

The program provides students with scholarships of up to $37,000 per academic year for cybersecurity training in exchange for working as cybersecurity professionals after graduating.

Eligible work settings include the federal, state, local, or tribal government � or an approved organization. Students must work over a period equal to the length of the scholarship.

Free Veteran Cybersecurity Training Programs

The following programs offer free cybersecurity training for veterans that could lead to certification and job opportunities.

• FedVTE: The Department of Homeland Security offers the Federal Virtual Training Environment (FedVTE) for veterans interested in free, online cybersecurity training and certification prep courses.
• Fortinet Veterans Program: Fortinet offers veterans free online, self-paced cybersecurity training. Veterans receive free online labs, free certification exam vouchers, career development services, and more.
• Onward to Opportunity (O2O): Offered through Syracuse University and the Institute for Veterans and Military Families, O2O provides free on-campus and distance learning training in cybersecurity.
• VET TEC: The Veteran Employment Through Technology Education Courses (VET TEC) Program offers free full tuition and housing for veterans to attend a high-tech training program, including those for cybersecurity.

These free programs help veterans develop the cybersecurity knowledge and skills they need to excel in the field.

Veteran Financial Assistance Programs & Scholarships

The following scholarships and programs help veterans pay school costs.

• VEAP: The Veterans' Educational Assistance Program (VEAP) assists veterans who served between 1977 and 1985 with education costs.
• GI Bill: The GI Bill as well as the Montgomery GI Bill or Post-9/11 GI Bill can help veterans and their families pay for some or all school or training costs.
• Yellow Ribbon Program: This program helps current and former active military members pay for school costs that the Post-9/11 GI Bill doesn't cover.
• Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Scholarship: Current and former members of Air and Space Forces, Air National Guard, and Reserves can receive $1,000 to pursue a college degree or flight training.

While these programs aren't specific to cybersecurity, veterans can use the funds to pay for their cybersecurity education.

How to Earn a Cybersecurity Degree

Whether you're interested in on-campus or online cybersecurity programs, it's important to learn the steps needed to secure your degree.

First, make sure you meet your school of interest's admissions requirements, which might include possessing a high school diploma with a minimum GPA and completing prerequisite courses.

Then, you'll apply for admission to the school. Once admitted, apply to or enroll in your undergraduate program of choice. Don't forget to apply for cybersecurity veteran scholarships to reduce tuition costs.

Next, complete undergraduate coursework, which might focus on subjects like risk management, cyber defense, ethical hacking, and data analysis.

After completing courses and meeting other graduation requirements, you'll earn your degree and be all set to begin your career as a cybersecurity professional.

Find Cybersecurity Scholarships for Veterans

Enrolling in a cybersecurity program is a fantastic gateway to a rewarding career in the field. Taking advantage of cybersecurity scholarships for veterans can make paying for your undergraduate studies easier.