ISSAEF Scholarships

Scholarship Sponsored by ISSA Education Foundation

Overview

ISSA Education Foundation (ISSAEF) funds education and training for current and aspiring cybersecurity professionals through multiple scholarship and grant programs. Opportunities include ISSAEF general scholarships, chapter-specific awards (ISSA Alamo Chapter), a SANS training scholarship, and a Cloud Security Alliance (CSA) professional development grant. The foundation opens applications each spring and recommends applicants begin gathering transcripts and references ahead of the opening. Final recipients are selected by the ISSAEF Scholarship/Grant Committee.

Key takeaways
- Multiple funding streams: ISSAEF scholarships, Alamo Chapter awards, SANS training scholarship, CSA grant.
- Application season opens each spring; expect a February 1 opening.
- Selections made by the ISSAEF Scholarship/Grant Committee.
- Start collecting transcripts and recommendation letters early.

Application timeline and process

ISSAEF’s annual application cycle opens each spring (officially on February 1) and includes scholarships and training/grant opportunities. Applicants must submit transcripts, a personal statement, a resume, and at least one letter of recommendation (two preferred) from a faculty member or cybersecurity professional who can speak to the applicant’s qualifications. The committee reviews all materials and notifies winners; payment method varies by award (scholarship checks are generally made payable to the educational institution; training grants or registration codes may be issued directly to awardees). Deadlines for course completion and other post-award reporting vary by program.

Key takeaways
- Application opens February 1 each year; prepare materials in advance.
- Required materials: transcript, personal statement, resume, and ≥1 recommendation letter.
- Selections by ISSAEF Scholarship/Grant Committee.
- Payment and reporting rules depend on the specific award.

ISSAEF Scholarships

**Description:** ISSAEF offers merit- and need-aligned scholarships to full-time undergraduate and graduate students pursuing cybersecurity-related degrees. Awards recognize academic performance, relevant work experience, community service, extracurricular involvement, and professional engagement. Applicants must meet GPA thresholds and be enrolled in an accredited institution at the time the award is received.

**Award Value:** Current named awards include:
- E. Eugene Schultz, Jr. Memorial Scholarship — $3,500 (graduate)
- Howard A. Schmidt Memorial Scholarship — $3,500 (undergraduate)
- Shon Harris WIS Memorial Scholarship — $2,000 (undergraduate or graduate)
- General Scholarship (sponsored by Docent Institute) — $2,000

**Eligibility:** Undergraduates must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5; graduate applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (4.0 scale). Applicants should demonstrate security-related coursework or work experience, relevant extracurriculars, and commitment to an information-security career.

Key takeaways
- Awards range from $2,000 to $3,500 and include named scholarships.
- GPA requirement: 2.5+ for undergrads, 3.0+ for grads.
- Applicants must be full-time, enrolled in an accredited cybersecurity-related program.
- Evaluation factors: academics, experience, service, extracurriculars, and personal statement.

ISSA Alamo Chapter Scholarships

**Description:** The ISSA Alamo Chapter funds scholarships for students attending designated colleges and universities in the San Antonio area. These awards target students pursuing computer science or information-security/privacy tracks and include general, women-focused, and minority-focused scholarships.

**Award Value:** Current awards include:
- George Chip Meadows Memorial Scholarship — $2,000 (4-year San Antonio college/university)
- Alamo Women’s Scholarship — $1,500 (4-year)
- Alamo Minority Scholarship — $1,500 (4-year; underrepresented groups defined by the chapter)
- Alamo Colleges District scholarship — $1,000 (for students at 2-year Alamo Colleges)

**Eligibility:** Applicants must enroll in eligible San Antonio-area institutions and meet the chapter’s academic and program criteria (minimum undergraduate GPA 2.5). The applicant must be pursuing studies with a focus on information security or privacy and meet any chapter-designated institutional requirements.

Key takeaways
- Awards specifically for San Antonio-area institutions; amounts from $1,000–$2,000.
- Separate scholarships for women and underrepresented minorities.
- Undergraduate GPA requirement typically 2.5+.
- Must attend a chapter-designated college or university.

SANS E. Eugene Schultz, Jr. Memorial Training Scholarship

**Description:** This scholarship funds SANS training to help individuals transition into or advance within information security. The selection evaluates the applicant’s professional-development plan and how the SANS course will improve cybersecurity skills or career prospects. Final selections are made by the ISSAEF Scholarship/Grant Committee.

**Eligibility:** Applicants must be residents of North America and clearly articulate the professional benefit of the course in a personal statement. Reviewers consider resume relevance, certifications/memberships, extracurricular and volunteer activities, and community service. An individual may receive this particular award only once.

**Award Value / Use:** The scholarship covers SANS course registration (or comparable training costs) as approved by the committee; award delivery may be a registration code or another form of payment issued to the awardee.

Key takeaways
- Intended to fund SANS training to advance or transition into cybersecurity.
- Applicants must reside in North America.
- Selection based on a professional-development statement, resume, and related activities.
- Recipients may receive this particular training scholarship only one time.

CSA Professional Development Grant

**Description:** Sponsored by the Cloud Security Alliance (CSA), this annual program funds short professional-development courses that build practical cybersecurity skills or support career advancement. Grants are intended for individuals seeking promotion, skill development, or a career transition into cybersecurity.

**Award Value and Conditions:** CSA provides $2,000 annually to support multiple grants ranging from $250 to $1,000 per award. Funds must be used for a single non-credit course (not for academic tuition reduction). The course must be completed by December 31 of the award year.

**Eligibility and Requirements:** Applicants should demonstrate how the course will enhance their cybersecurity competence through a personal statement, provide a relevant resume, list certifications or professional memberships, and describe extracurricular/community service activities. Recipients must notify ISSAEF within 30 days of enrollment and again after course completion. Awardees are ineligible to apply for five years following an award.

Key takeaways
- Grants between $250 and $1,000; CSA funds $2,000 annually across recipients.
- For single-course professional development (not for academic tuition reduction).
- Course must be completed by Dec 31 of the award year.
- Reporting required pre- and post-enrollment; five-year re-application blackout for recipients.

Recipient responsibilities (all programs)

Scholarship and grant recipients must commit to pursuing a career in cybersecurity and comply with program reporting and completion requirements. Many awards require or prefer post-award confirmation (e.g., course completion) and some payments are issued directly to institutions while others are paid to recipients. Recipients are encouraged—but not always required—to contribute back by sharing their experience or drafting an article for the ISSA Journal; the Foundation can assist with that process.

Key takeaways
- Awardees must intend to pursue a cybersecurity career.
- Follow reporting requirements and deadlines specified by each award.
- Payment may be made to the institution or to the awardee, depending on the program.
- Optional: recipients are encouraged to share their work or contribute to the ISSA Journal.

How to prepare to apply

Start early: request transcripts, secure recommendation letters, update your resume, and draft a clear personal statement describing academic goals and how the award will advance your cybersecurity career. Highlight relevant coursework, work experience, certifications, volunteer/community service, and participation in conferences or competitions. Review each program’s specific eligibility rules (GPA thresholds, residency, institution-designation) before submitting.

Key takeaways
- Begin collecting transcripts and recommendation letters well before February 1.
- Tailor your personal statement to the specific award’s goals (training vs. academic).
- Emphasize measurable cybersecurity engagement: courses, jobs, certifications, competitions.
- Verify program-specific eligibility (GPA, residency, institution) before applying.

Sign up for an invitation to apply and consult the ISSAEF website or your local ISSA chapter for the latest forms, eligible institutions, and submission instructions.