CIA Undergraduate Scholarship Program

Scholarship Sponsored by Central Intelligence Agency

Description The Undergraduate Scholarship Program (Stokes Scholars) pairs financial assistance with practical, mission-focused work at the agency. It is a needs-based program that places students in meaningful intelligence-related assignments aligned with their college major, giving exposure to real-world challenges while they complete their studies. Participants work in a full-time capacity during program placements and gain experience intended to lead into a full-time career with the agency after graduation.

Key takeaways

• Purpose:

Financially support students while providing intelligence-related work experience.

• Structure:

Combines academic enrollment with full‑time work placements.

• Outcome:

Designed to transition scholars into full-time agency careers.

• Focus:

Aligns assignments with the scholar’s college major and agency priorities.

Eligibility Initial eligibility criteria determine who may apply; they focus on age, citizenship, and academic standing at the time of application. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and meet the agency’s basic eligibility (including U.S. citizenship). Eligible academic statuses include recent high-school graduates (diploma or GED) and current undergraduate or graduate students; applicants must be enrolled or planning to enroll as appropriate to the program.

Key takeaways

• Age requirement: 18 years or older at time of submission.
• Citizenship:

U.S. citizenship is required.

• Academic status:

High-school diploma or GED, current undergraduate, or graduate student status as applicable.

• Initial screen:

Applicants must meet the agency’s baseline eligibility rules.

Financial need This program is needs-based; applicants must demonstrate financial eligibility according to adjusted gross income (AGI) criteria. The AGI ceiling for dependent applicants is up to $120,000; applicants not listed as a dependent on the previous year’s tax return face a lower AGI ceiling (up to $50,000). Financial documentation is required as part of the application to verify eligibility.

Key takeaways

• Needs-based:

Scholarship awarded based on demonstrated financial need.

• AGI thresholds:

Up to $120,000 for dependent applicants; up to $50,000 if not previously listed as a dependent.

• Verification:

Tax documentation is required to confirm financial eligibility.

• Scope:

Financial eligibility is separate from academic or citizenship requirements.

Award value and benefits Stokes Scholars receive scholarship funding, a competitive salary during work tours, and agency benefits. Scholarships cover tuition, mandatory fees, and books—up to $18,000 per academic year for most majors and up to $25,000 per academic year for STEM majors. Scholars also receive a year-round salary, agency-wide benefits, paid summer employment, and support for official work-tour travel for non-local participants.

Key takeaways

• Scholarship amounts:

Up to $18,000/year; STEM majors up to $25,000/year.

• Salary:

Competitive year-round salary during program participation.

• Benefits:

Agency-wide employment benefits and paid summer work tours.

• Travel support:

Non-local scholars eligible for coordination and payment of official work-tour travel expenses.

Program requirements and academic standards Participation requires maintaining academic progress and meeting specific enrollment standards throughout the program. Scholars must keep a competitive GPA (minimum 3.0 on a 4.0 scale), remain in full‑time student status (minimum 12 credits for undergraduates; 9 credits for graduates), and continue majoring in the degree that aligns with the occupation for which they were admitted. Applicants must also submit semester transcripts within 30 days of completion and uphold standards of conduct and performance at both school and work.

Key takeaways

• GPA:

Minimum 3.0 cumulative on a 4.0 scale.

• Enrollment:

Full‑time status required (12 credits undergrad; 9 credits graduate).

• Major continuity:

Must remain in the declared major that aligns with program placement.

• Reporting:

Transcripts due within 30 days of each semester’s completion.

Work obligations and service commitment Scholars accept a contractual service obligation in exchange for scholarship funding and employment benefits. Participants must work a full‑time schedule (40 hours/week) for at least 12 weeks each summer in the designated workplace until graduation. Each year in the program incurs a Continued Service Agreement obligation of 1.5 years of agency service after graduation, and scholars are expected to onboard as full‑time officers with no break in service.

Key takeaways

• Summer work:

Minimum 40 hrs/week for at least 12 weeks each summer.

• Service agreement: 1.5 years of post-graduation service for every year in the program.
• Onboarding:

Scholars transition directly into full‑time agency roles after graduation.

• Relocation:

Non-local scholars may receive relocation entitlements when appointed.

Application timeline The program operates on a deferred schedule because of lengthy security and medical clearance processes. Applications submitted during the annual window are processed for placement the following summer; candidates should plan accordingly. Scholarship disbursements do not occur until after the scholar’s work tour begins and all required documentation and clearances are received.

Key takeaways

• Lead time:

Application cycle supports placement the summer of the following year.

• Clearances:

Security and medical processes extend the timeline.

• Disbursement:

Scholarship funds are released only after the work tour starts and documentation is complete.

• Planning:

Applicants should account for the delayed start-to-funding timeline.

Required documentation Applicants must submit a set of documents that verify identity, financial status, education, and eligibility. Required items include a fully completed program application, proof of U.S. citizenship, a resume (including academic projects and extracurriculars if limited work experience), and a copy of the previous year’s Form 1040 (foreign tax forms are not accepted). Additional school-specific documentation—such as transcripts or enrollment verification—will be required depending on whether the applicant is a high‑school senior or an undergraduate/graduate student.

Key takeaways

• Core documents:

Completed application, proof of citizenship, resume, and prior-year Form 1040.

• Tax forms:

Only U.S. 1040 accepted; foreign tax forms are not accepted.

• Academic docs:

Transcripts and enrollment verification required as appropriate to student status.

• Completeness:

Missing or late documentation can delay or disqualify an application.

Desired qualifications Beyond baseline eligibility, the program favors candidates who demonstrate academic strength, practical experience, leadership, mission interest, and language skills. Strong performance in coursework related to the intended major, relevant internships or job experience, and evidence of leadership will strengthen an application. Proficiency in foreign languages listed on the agency’s language interest page is also a plus.

Key takeaways

• Academic excellence:

Strong performance in core subjects tied to the major.

• Experience:

Practical or job-related experience in the field is advantageous.

• Leadership:

Demonstrated leadership in school, work, or extracurriculars helps applications.

• Languages:

Foreign‑language proficiency is highly valued.

Additional considerations Participation requires compliance with all program rules and agency requirements; failure to meet conditions can affect continued eligibility. All applicants must be able to undergo and pass the agency’s background investigation and medical/security clearances. Noncompliance with academic, work, or reporting requirements may result in loss of scholarship funding or removal from the program.

Key takeaways

• Compliance required:

Adherence to academic, work, and reporting standards is mandatory.

• Clearances:

Successful background and medical/security clearances are conditions of participation.

• Consequences:

Noncompliance can lead to forfeiture of funds or program termination.

• Support:

Applicants should review all program terms carefully before accepting funds.