Current & Future Student Resources

The Department of Defense (DoD) offers one of the most generous scholarships to improve the nation's and the DoD's security posture. These scholarships are offered to both non-DoD and DoD employees. Target candidates for the non-DoD employee scholarships are attending or plan to attend colleges or universities who are designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence (NCAE) in Cybersecurity (UCCS qualifies!). Upon graduation, recipients are required to work for the DoD for a period of time, based on their award, but -- GET THIS -- you can do offensive cyber during your service. Awards include free tuition and up to a $32,000 annual stipend. Contact Josh Alcorn (jalcorn@uccs.edu) or Jugal Kalita (jkalita@uccs.edu) for more information or visit DoD Cyber Scholarship Program.

If you are a cyber student, defense industry-bound student or an ROTC Cadet, you can get a $2,500 scholarships (per person) and a paid summer internship. CyberRangerForce is a CU-wide Virtual Center, led by UCCS, for current undergraduate students pursuing cybersecurity or related degrees. Scholarships available for Spring & Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 semesters.

Apply here or email viceroy@uccs.edu for more information.

This scholarship is targeted at graduating high school students who have been historically under-represented in technology. The scholarship is for 4 years (duration of college experience) and can total up to $40,000 per person in that time, assuming requirements are met.

If you plan to attend college in Colorado, the state awards scholarships for some Colorado colleges and universities. This scholarship is not major-specific. UCCS is a participating university in COF.

This scholarship is designed to recruit IT, cybersecurity and industrial control systems (ICS) professionals to jobs in federal, state, local and tribal governments. If requirements are met, the scholarships can supply up to 3 years of support for undergraduate and graduate education, as a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF). There is a requirement to work for the US Government after graduation.

This scholarship targets students of all ages interested in STEM, technology and advanced manufacturing. In 2023, Lockheed Martin awarded up to $5,000 per student for up to 150 recipients.

Sponsored by (ISC)2 & CCSE, this scholarship encourages degrees in cybersecurity, information assurance, or related fields. It is a global scholarship that totaled more almost $200,000 in awards in 2023. Target candidates include undergraduate, graduate, military/Veteran/spouse, women of color, and BIPOC, and under-represented populations.

This scholarship is awarded to high school, undergraduate and graduate students who demonstrate financial need. It is not specific to a particular major. Aspiring college students can receive up to $55,000 per year in addition to other supportive services.

This scholarship is for eligible Veterans who are currently enrolled in a STEM program. It provides up to 9 months or $30,000 in training for high-demand fields including STEM and cybersecurity.

This scholarship is granted to 15 recipients each year. It provides lifetime access to InfoSec Skills, a platform that provides hands-on cybersecurity courses and cyber ranges. Target recipients include women, BIPOC populations, Military and Veterans, LGBTQI+ and college undergraduate students.

These scholarships are directed toward women in cybersecurity in the US, Asia Pac, Europe, the Middle East or Africa.

Great resource for various cybersecurity scholarships, targeted at information security, ranging from women's scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students to Veterans Scholarships.

AFCEA sponsors scholarships for undergraduate STEM students, including cybersecurity. There are 4 different types of scholarships, with only one app for all four. Awards range from $2,500 to $5,000. For more information visit AFCEA's website.

Cybersecurity Internship Program

Program Type: Paid Internship
Program Duration: 10-Week Program
Location: Washington, D.C.

Interns will apply concepts, protocols, and tools acquired through coursework in the real world by working side by side with experts in cybersecurity. The program focuses on areas such as identification and analysis of malicious code, forensics analysis, incident handling, intrusion detection and prevention, and software assurance.

Learn more about the program.

NSA Student Internship Program

Program Type: Varies
Program Duration: Varies
Location: Varies

The NSA Student Internship Program offers internship positions in several areas, including Operations Research Technology, Cryptanalysis and Signals Analysis, CAE Cyber Operations, and more.

Learn more about the program.

Internship Programs & Employment for Early Career

Program Type: Paid entry level jobs and internships
Program Duration: Varies
Location: Varies

DISA acts as the IT department for the US Department of Defense and the White House. They offer programs for recent grad's (DISA Pathways Recent Graduate Program) and for students (DISA Pathways Internship Program).

Learn more about these programs.

US Government Internship Program

Program Type: Internships for current students

Program Duration: Throughout your time in school

Location: Varies

On the USAJobs website, you can search for a specific internship opportunity made available through the Pathways program. You will also see other programs and opportunities on this page, e.g., scholarships, internships, training and education through various Federal Departments. For more information from the US OPM (Office of Personnel Management) on the Internship Program for students and recent grads, visit this site. For more information on the Pathways Internship Program (background, etc.), visit this site. All of these resources are tied, ultimately, to USAJobs.

Cybersecurity Internships National Listing Resource

This Github site lists various internships at different organizations across the US by industry type and by company/organization. It is a resource provided by the WiCyS Chapter at Rice University. It is being updated often, so check back frequently, especially if you're looking for a specific location or company.

Interested in a career in Federal Law Enforcement? The Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) hires students every year in Feb. and March for internships for the summer of the following year. They also post positions all year long for full-time positions. For more information, visit the FBI site.

YouTube Channel

Free CCNA (Cisco Certified Networking Admin) classes

YouTube Channel

Video-based free tutorials to study for any CompTIA certification

Click here for links to specific event recordings, including speakers, panels, and other enlightening cybersecurity events.

YouTube Channel

Everything from CCNA classes, networking tutorials (Linux, VMs, Google Networking, etc.) to product reviews like the new Raspberry Pi -- both the basics and tutorials centered around hacking.

Bringing Students the Workforce Experience They Need

The NICE Challenge Project gives students the opportunity to develop real-world cybersecurity skills! Challenges are available in virtualized business environments, making for the most realistic cyber experiences. Assess and build your cyber knowledge, skills and abilities today!

The NSA's “No Such Podcast” will consist of 8 episodes. The first two episodes feature an introduction to SIGINT and the facts behind NSA’s cybersecurity mission. Other episodes will cover AI and its role in the future of national security, what it’s like working for the Agency, NSA’s cutting-edge research, NSOC, and women codemakers and codebreakers. 

Cyberseek Education and Careers in Cybersecurity

Cyberseek provides high level jobs data and helps students explore a variety of educational pathways in cybersecurity.

Occupational Outlook Handbook

The US Bureau of Labor and Statistics provides thorough and recent information on a variety of cybersecurity career paths, jobs, pay rates, and education requirements. 

Pikes Peak Workforce Center (PPWFC)

PPWFC connects businesses with work-ready job seekers and employment-driven services in the Pikes Peak region.

National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies (NICCS)

Visit the NICCS website for an interactive tool that helps you explore jobs and roles within the NICE Framework for Cybersecurity.

Society of Industrial Security Professionals

NCMS is a non-profit, professional security society offering unparalleled opportunities for learning, networking, and professional development at the local and national levels.

NICCS/NICE Cybersecurity Workforce Development Tool

This tool from the National Institute of Cybersecurity Education helps both students and employers better articulate the jobs and careers of interest in cybersecurity. This tool is a cybersecurity jobs/workforce framework that enumerates the vast career options for those interested in cybersecurity employment.

Hacker Halted is EC-Council’s annual IT Security Conference, focusing on topics such as ethical hacking, computer forensics, pen testing, and many others.

Dates: October 3-4, 2022

The National Cyber League (NCL) is a performance base and learning community where cyber security is a passion. The NCL enables high school and college students to prepare and test themselves against practical cybersecurity challenges.

C2Games is an entry-level cybersecurity gaming competition hosted for NCAE schools (National Center for Academic Excellence) in Cyber Defense – designed specifically for first-timers. As a student of an NCAE school, you can register here and work through cybersecurity challenges, starting at a basic level and working up to more complex challenges.

The US Cyber Open is a free competition, open to everyone and every skill level.

Cost: Free

Dates: June 30–July 10, 2022

Showcase your skills, win your share of $15,000 in cash prizes, and kickstart a career with the US Department of Defense.

Applications are due each year in May, and the competition takes place in May, as well.

Resources for Ethics and Technology

Big List of Cybersecurity Resources

IT Primary+ and Security+ Training

State cybersecurity funding drives student success across Colorado colleges and universities.