Stokes Educational Scholarship Program

The Stokes Educational Scholarship Program is a tremendous opportunity to gain valuable experience in your field while attending college and earning a degree. The Stokes Program is open to high school seniors, particularly minority students, planning to major in computer science or computer/electrical engineering.

With the Stokes Program, you will attend college full-time, then work during the summer at NSA's HQ in Fort Meade, Maryland for a minimum of 12 weeks in areas related to your course of study. You will acquire real world experience and receive a salary year-round. Best yet, after you graduate college, you won't have to go through the job search hassle - a position will be waiting for you in your area of study in the exciting world of NSA.*

Computer Science

NSA computer scientists work in areas such as applications programming, computer security and graphics, and the design and implementation of software involving database management systems, real-time systems, networking and distributed processing systems.

Computer/Electrical Engineering

The challenges and experiences in these areas range from pure and applied research, design, development and testing to project management and systems analysis. You will be involved in projects that focus on communication systems, computer security and networking, microprocessor applications, software engineering and optics.

*By participating in the Stokes Educational Scholarship Program, you are agreeing to work for NSA for at least 1.5 times the length of study upon graduation.

Benefits

A) Tuition and mandatory fees up to $30,000 per year

B) Year-round salary while attending college

C) Housing and travel entitlements during summer employment (if the distance between NSA and the school exceeds 75 miles)

D) Paid time off / health & life insurance / federal retirement plan

Applications each year run from September 1st through October 31st

Minimum Qualifications

A) You must be a U.S. Citizen.

B) You must be eligible to be granted a security clearance.

C) Applicants should have a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

D) You must be a high school senior at the time of application.

E) Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, program requirements have changed. In lieu of SAT/ACT test scores and AP/IB exam scores, high school transcripts must show a minimum of one physics or calculus course, and a combination of two courses (minimum) of computer science, computer programming or engineering.

F) You MUST be majoring in either Computer Science or Computer/Electrical Engineering.

G) You must submit your online application during the application period.