Summer is now in full swing, and while many students may be relaxing by the pool, traveling through Europe, or working at a less-than-desirable seasonal job, now might be the time to think about next year and beyond. For those who are interested in a career in cybersecurity, there are numerous opportunities, some of which even include a stipend for the school year.
However, it was reported in April that the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency would not offer internships to CyberCorps Scholarship-for-Service students for the second year in a row, citing the record-long government shutdown.
The CISA had planned to offer up to 100 SFS cybersecurity internship roles to both undergraduate and post-graduate students this summer, the Federal News Network reported. However, the program was canceled this year.
The Top Federal Government Cyber Programs
There are several other cyber programs for students to consider that include paid internships, apprenticeships, and scholarship programs that cover tuition in exchange for a post-graduation work commitment.
1. Department of War’s Cyber Service Academy
Formerly known as the DoD Cyber Scholarship Program, this initiative offers full tuition, books, and a stipend to students attending colleges designated as Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity. It offers full coverage that includes tuition and fees, books, and even a living stipend that equals about $29,000 for undergrads and $34,000 for graduates, along with a paid summer internship and post-graduation employment within the Pentagon.
The application window for the Fall 2026/Spring 2027 closed in February, but the academy typically opens the applications again in the late fall.
It is open to U.S. citizens who are rising juniors, seniors, or graduate/doctoral students in a cyber-related field at a designated National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C). Applicants must be U.S. citizens at the time of application, be 18 years old or older, be full-time students with a 3.2 overall GPA for undergraduates and 3.5 for graduates, and be willing to accept post-graduate employment with the department.
2. CyberCorps: Scholarship for Service (SFS)
Funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and run in partnership with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the CyberCorps continues to offer scholarships and stipends in exchange for a post-graduation service commitment in government cybersecurity.
The areas of study cover fields including Computer Science/Engineering, Security of Emerging Technologies (e.g., Internet of Things, medical implants), Cyber Law and Privacy, and Policy.
The program, which launched an expanded CyberAI SFS track focused heavily on the intersection of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence (AI), covers up to three years of education, including full tuition, fees, and an annual stipend of up to $27,000 for undergraduates, $37,000 for graduates, and a $6,000 professional allowance for travel and certifications.
Recipients are required to complete a period of government service that is equivalent to the length of the scholarship.
3. NSA Stokes Educational Scholarship Program
The National Security Agency (NSA) offers its competitive Stokes Educational Scholarship Program, which was designed for high school seniors and college students majoring in STEM fields. The program targets minority students who are planning to major in computer science, computer/electrical engineering, cybersecurity, or specific foreign languages. It provides up to up to $30,000 in tuition assistance per academic year, plus an annual salary.
Participants in the program will attend college full-time and work at the NSA for a minimum of 12 weeks during the summer breaks, and are then guaranteed a job at the NSA post-graduation, where they must commit to working for the agency for at least 1.5 times the length of their college study.
Applicants need to be U.S. citizens with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, and must successfully complete a comprehensive NSA security clearance.
Applications typically open on September 1 and close on September 30.
4. DoW Cyber Apprenticeship Program
Also known as the Cyber RAP, the Pentagon’s Cyber Apprenticeship Program was launched this year as a fully-paid, 12-month pilot initiative that was developed to train individuals for entry-level cybersecurity roles, without requiring previous experience or even a college degree.
Instead, it offers a mix of online training, immersive labs, and on-the-job mentorship that was developed to prepare participants in the program for careers as Cyber Defense Analysts, Incident Responders, and Infrastructure Support Specialists.
The program requires a full-time, 40-hour per week commitment, which means that full-time college students taking daytime classes are generally ineligible. Part-time students with evening or online courses may still qualify.
Although no prior technical background is required to apply, applicants should demonstrate curiosity, reliability, and problem-solving skills. Applicants need to be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years old, and must also be able to obtain and maintain the required security clearance.
Apprentices in Cyber RAP earn a salary while taking classes and then graduate with nationally recognized cybersecurity certifications. Upon successful completion, participants may receive direct placement into positions within the department.
“This program is a critical investment in our people and the bedrock of our national security,” explained Marci McCarthy, DoW CIO director of external engagements. “The Cyber RAP provides a direct pathway for dedicated individuals to join our mission, securing the vital networks, infrastructure, and weapon systems that our Warfighters depend on every single day.”
