CIA Undergraduate Scholarship Program

Scholarship Value: $25,000

Awards Available: 10

Award Deadline: Sep 1, 2025


Undergraduate Scholarship Program

  • Full time
  • Starting salary: $32,733  $43,609 ($15.74  $20.96 per hour)
  • High School Diploma or GED; Bachelor’s; Current Student
  • At least 18 years of age at the time of submission

The Undergraduate Scholarship Program is a financial needs-based initiative where you will be exposed to intelligence challenges while performing meaningful work that relates to your college major.

What You’ll Get

Stokes Scholars will receive:

  • Agency-wide benefits
  • Scholarship funding up to $18,000 per academic year for tuition, mandatory fees, and books; STEM majors receive scholarship funding up to $25,000 per academic year
  • Competitive year-round salary
  • Employment every summer
  • Non-local scholars are eligible for coordination and payment of official work tour travel expenses
  • Onboard as a full-time officer after graduation

As a CIA employee, you’ll also get the satisfaction of knowing your work is part of something bigger than yourself. Our work is driven by one mission: to keep our Nation safe. Every day is an opportunity to enhance U.S. national security.

Minimum Qualifications

Stokes Scholars must:

  • Exhibit financial need as demonstrated by the adjusted gross annual household income (AGI) ceiling up to $120,000; if the scholar has not been listed as a dependent for the previous tax year, the AGI ceiling is up to $50,000
  • Accept Stokes scholarship funds and sign a Continued Service Agreement that obligates you to work at the CIA 1.5 years for every year that you are in the Stokes Scholarship Program
  • Work a full-time schedule (40 hours/week) for a minimum of 12 weeks each summer in the WMA until graduation and onboard as full-time officer (there is no break in service post-graduation; non-local scholars receive relocation entitlements)
  • Maintain competitive GPA (minimum 3.0 on a 4.0 scale)
  • Remain in full-time status as a student while in the program (min. 12 credit hours for undergraduate programs and 9 credit hours for graduate programs)
  • Continue to major in the degree that aligns with the occupation for which you were admitted into the program
  • Provide transcripts within 30 days of each semester completion
  • Maintain a high standard of work performance, attendance, and conduct at both school and work
  • Ability to meet the minimum requirements for joining CIA, including U.S. citizenship and a background investigation

Note: Failure to comply with any of the requirements may affect continued participation in the program.

Desired Qualifications

  • Academic excellence in core subjects relating to college major or desired major
  • Relevant practical or job experience in your field of interest
  • Demonstrated leadership qualities
  • Genuine interest in contributing to CIA’s mission
  • Proficiency in a foreign language. Languages of interest are listed on our Foreign Language page.

Annual Submission Window

August 1 through September 1, 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time

Due to the length of our security and medical processes, this application will be for the summer of the following year. Stokes Scholarship funding is not provided until after the start of your work tour and all updated documentation has been received.

Required Submission Documentation

  • Fully completed Stokes Scholarship application
  • Proof of citizenship (one of the following):
  • Resume (include school projects, sports, extracurricular activities, hobbies etc. if no work experience)
  • Copy of 1040 tax form from previous tax year (no foreign tax forms accepted):
  • Current high school seniors:
  • Current Undergraduate or Graduate students:
How to Apply:

No Essay Scholarship by Sallie

Deadline: Jun 30, 2025
$2,000
The $2,000 No Essay Scholarship by Sallie is only open to legal residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and any US Territory age 17 or older at the time of entry, and who meet one (1) of the four (4) following eligibility requirements at the time of entry:A parent who currently has a child enrolled in...

ScholarshipOwl Scholarship

Deadline: Jun 30, 2025
$2,025
ScholarshipOwl is your source of relief from the dreaded application process. We put students on the fast-track to success by providing direct access to the scholarships they need the most. Take the hassle out of financial aid and maximize your chance at a free ride in college. No matter how much funding you need for school, we have the opportunities...

Niche $10,000 Scholarship

Deadline: Jul 31, 2025
$10,000
Niche can help with every step of the college search including paying for it. We're giving one student $10,000 to help cover tuition, housing, books and other college expenses — no essay required!High school seniors who apply can also be eligible to receive acceptance (and scholarship!) offers from our Niche Direct Admissions partner colleges.Apply for our $25,000 No Essay Scholarship...

Be Bold Scholarship

Deadline: Jul 01, 2025
$25,000
The "Be Bold" Scholarship is a no-essay scholarship that will be awarded to the applicant with the boldest profile. It takes less than 2 minutes to apply.To us, boldest does not mean "best", or "most accomplished". Being bold means being:EarnestDeterminedMovingThe scholarship will be awarded to the student whose profile is most bold, according to these characteristics.Furthermore, the scholarship will be...

$10,000
The Scholarships360 $10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship is open to all students who want some extra help paying for their education. Whether you are a high school student who hopes to go to college, a graduate student who’s in a master’s program, or an adult learner who wants to return to school, you are eligible for our no essay scholarship.This scholarship...

A Better Financial Future Scholarship

Deadline: Jun 30, 2025
$2,000
The Scholarship is open to all residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, age 17 or older at the time of entry. Employees and contractors of LeverEdge Association are ineligible to participate in the Scholarship Program. All federal, state and local laws and regulations apply.SelectionOne (1) entry will be selected at random at the end of the...

The Future is Now Scholarship

Deadline: Jun 30, 2025
$1,001
The Lenny Scholarship offers $1,001 US to support young individuals aged 16 and above, enrolled in college and residing in the US or India. Automatic disqualification may occur for multiple applications.EligibilityYou must be a resident of the US or IndiaYou must be 16 years of age or olderYou must be enrolled in a college

Appily Easy Money Scholarship

Deadline: Jun 30, 2025
$1,000
The Appily scholarship application is fast and easy.Scholarship Eligibility: This scholarship is open to high school sophomores, juniors, and first semester senior students for all majors and schools. We will judge this scholarship based on other criteria such as volunteer work, extracurricular activities, special circumstances, etc.About the sponsors of the scholarship (EAB and Appily):EAB is the market leader in helping colleges...

10 Words or Less Scholarship

Deadline: Nov 15, 2025
$1,000
Scholarship Eligibility:A) Anyone who is between the ages of 14-25 who will be attending school in the Fall of 2026.B) This scholarship is provided by StudentScholarships.org. In order to apply for our scholarship follow these instructions:1. Go to www.facebook.com/myscholarships and place a comment on any post you see answering the question:In 10 words or less, tell us why you deserve...

VSA Emerging Young Artists Program

Deadline: Aug 08, 2025
$3,000
Our programs for artists with disabilities shape the future of the arts. The Access/VSA Emerging Young Artists Program, a Jean Kennedy Smith Arts and Disability Program, amplifies the voices of emerging visual artists through career development and professional empowerment.This national juried exhibition seeks artwork that demonstrates the excellence and important perspectives of artists with disabilities, ages 16-25, residing in the...