National Security Agency — Stokes Educational Scholarship Program
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.
About National Security Agency — Stokes Educational Scholarship Program
Stokes combines scholarship funding with employment by the National Security Agency. NSA describes it as an opportunity for high-school seniors planning to study specific disciplines and begin a career at the agency. Funding is therefore tied to a job, practical experience, and a later service commitment; students should compare it with a traditional college scholarship before applying.
NSA says it began accepting applications on September 1 for the Summer 2027 program, but does not list a closing date on the scholarship page. The active NSA Careers posting is the source for the deadline, location, and selection steps; this guide does not guess that date. Published baseline requirements include U.S. citizenship, senior status at application, ability to obtain a clearance, and at least 1200 SAT or 25 ACT. A 3.0 GPA or above is preferred for STEM candidates. Listed fields include AI, computer science, computer or electrical engineering, cybersecurity, data science, mathematics, and Chinese language analysis.
The program offers up to $30,000 a year for tuition and mandatory fees, a salary during the school year, health and life insurance, paid leave, and federal retirement benefits. Students work during summer at NSA in Fort Meade, Maryland; the program flyer says at least 12 weeks. Housing and travel may be supported when the college is more than 75 miles away. After graduation, NSA offers a position in the student’s field, subject to employment and security conditions.
Applicants must apply for the position online and separately email a resume, transcript, two recommendations, SAT/ACT scores, and an essay explaining why they want an NSA career to the hiring address. Late materials are not accepted. Check carefully which forms go through Careers and which must be emailed; keep copies and confirmations. Because the opportunity involves sensitive information, background review and security clearance are part of the selection process, not optional later steps.
The post-college commitment is substantial: scholars agree to work for NSA for at least one and a half times the duration of funded study. Before accepting, calculate how many service years the award would create, ask how the annual amount is set, and clarify what happens if you change majors or do not obtain clearance. The page lists Stokes@uwe.nsa.gov for general questions and StokesHiring@uwe.nsa.gov for documents. Use the active posting and program page to confirm the cycle before preparing an application.
Who it serves and what it can cover: 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.
How to apply or get help: NSA says the Summer 2027 program began accepting applications September 1; its scholarship page does not publish a closing date. Check the active opening at NSA Careers. General questions: Stokes@uwe.nsa.gov; application documents: StokesHiring@uwe.nsa.gov. For case-specific questions, contact the program or financial-aid office named on its official page.
Federal scholarship and employment pathway for high-school seniors in security and computing fields