CIA Undergraduate Scholarship Program

Scholarship Sponsored by Central Intelligence Agency

Introduction to the Undergraduate Scholarship Program

The Undergraduate Scholarship Program is a financial aid initiative designed for full-time students who demonstrate a need for financial assistance. This program offers students the opportunity to engage with intelligence challenges that are relevant to their college major, providing meaningful work experience.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for this program, applicants must be at least 18 years old at the time of application submission. They must also hold a High School Diploma or GED, be a current student, or have a Bachelor’s degree. The starting salary for this program ranges from $32,733 to $43,609, which equates to an hourly wage of $15.74 to $20.96.

Benefits for Stokes Scholars

As a Stokes Scholar, you will receive a range of benefits. These include agency-wide benefits, scholarship funding up to $18,000 per academic year for tuition, mandatory fees, and books. For STEM majors, the scholarship funding increases to up to $25,000 per academic year. Scholars also receive a competitive year-round salary, employment every summer, and the opportunity to onboard as a full-time officer after graduation. Non-local scholars are eligible for coordination and payment of official work tour travel expenses.

Responsibilities and Expectations

Stokes Scholars are expected to 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. Scholars must accept Stokes scholarship funds and sign a Continued Service Agreement that obligates them to work at the CIA for 1.5 years for every year they are in the Stokes Scholarship Program.

Scholars are required to work a full-time schedule (40 hours/week) for a minimum of 12 weeks each summer in the WMA until graduation and onboard as a full-time officer. They must maintain a competitive GPA (minimum 3.0 on a 4.0 scale), remain in full-time status as a student while in the program, and continue to major in the degree that aligns with the occupation for which they were admitted into the program. Scholars must also provide transcripts within 30 days of each semester completion and maintain a high standard of work performance, attendance, and conduct at both school and work.

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to the minimum qualifications, we also value academic excellence in core subjects relating to the college major or desired major, relevant practical or job experience in your field of interest, demonstrated leadership qualities, a genuine interest in contributing to the CIA’s mission, and proficiency in a foreign language.

Application Process

The annual submission window for the Stokes Scholarship application is from 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 Documentation

Applicants must submit a fully completed Stokes Scholarship application, proof of citizenship, a resume (including school projects, sports, extracurricular activities, hobbies etc. if no work experience), and a copy of the 1040 tax form from the previous tax year. Current high school seniors, as well as current undergraduate or graduate students, are encouraged to apply.

Go to Scholarship Application