CIA Undergraduate Scholarship Program

Scholarship Sponsored by Central Intelligence Agency

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: