The National Security Agency’s Stokes Educational Scholarship is not an unconditional college scholarship: it funds tuition and fees while the student works for NSA during the summer and agrees to join the agency after graduation. NSA says it is accepting applications starting September 1 for the Summer 2027 program; that page does not publish a closing date, so applicants should check the active job-board announcement before submitting. The official NSA profile links to the program and contact channels.
The opportunity is for U.S. citizens who are high-school seniors, can obtain a security clearance, and plan to study one of the listed disciplines: artificial intelligence, computer science, computer or electrical engineering, cybersecurity, data science, mathematics, or Chinese language analysis. NSA lists an SAT score of 1200 or ACT score of 25 as a basic requirement, while a GPA of 3.0 or above is described as preferred for STEM applicants. The agency cautions that criteria may change and a security review is required; academic grades alone are not enough.
Benefits may include up to $30,000 a year toward tuition and fees, a salary while in college, housing and travel for summer work if the campus is more than 75 miles away, insurance, paid leave, and federal benefits. Students work at NSA over the summer, for at least 12 weeks according to the program flyer, in work related to their field. After graduation, a position at the agency is offered subject to program terms and security clearance.
The application has two parts: submit the position application through NSA Careers and email a resume, transcript, two recommendation letters, SAT/ACT scores, and an essay on “I want a career at NSA because…” to StokesHiring@uwe.nsa.gov. NSA says late applications or documents will not be accepted. Applicants should read the current job-board notice, record its position and location details, and request references early; the scholarship webpage alone does not replace the hiring application.
The service commitment is the central decision: students agree to work for NSA for at least one and a half times the length of their funded study. This is not aid transferable to any major or employer and may involve relocation and a background review. Before signing, get written clarification about the amount in your case, employment obligations, and what happens if you change majors, do not receive clearance, or do not finish the degree. The program lists Stokes@uwe.nsa.gov for general questions and a separate hiring email for application documents.
Stokes Educational Scholarship Program — National Security Agency.
NSA Stokes Scholarship Flyer — National Security Agency.
NSA Careers — National Security Agency.
Informational guide based on official sources checked on October 12, 2026. Programs, awards, deadlines, and eligibility may change; confirm the current cycle on the official site before submitting information.
Check the active posting first: NSA announces applications for Summer 2027, but the closing date must be confirmed in the jobs portal.
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National Security Agency — Stokes Educational Scholarship Program
9800 Savage Road, Fort Meade, MD 20755
U.S. citizens who are high-school seniors, can obtain a security clearance, and pursue an approved major (AI, computing, computer/electrical engineering, cybersecurity, data science, mathematics, or Chinese). Aid may cover up to $30,000 per year in tuition and fees, plus salary and summer experience. In return, scholars agree to work at NSA for at least 1.5 times the length of funded study.
Federal scholarship and employment pathway for high-school seniors in security and computing fields
Sources & references
Sources for the information and reporting discussed in this guide.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
National Security Agency · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
National Security Agency · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
National Security Agency · Accessed October 12, 2026
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Official application and program information ↗
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National Security Agency · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of National Security Agency — Stokes Educational Scholarship Program ↗
Primary source
National Security Agency · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of National Security Agency — Stokes Educational Scholarship Program ↗
Primary source
National Security Agency · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.