CIA Undergraduate Scholarship Program

Scholarship Sponsored by Central Intelligence Agency

Bachelor's Degree Scholarship Program

• Full-time commitment
• Initial salary range: $32,733 - $43,609 ($15.74 - $20.96 per hour)
• Minimum requirement: High School Diploma or GED; Bachelor’s degree; Current Student
• Minimum age of 18 at the time of application

The Bachelor's Degree Scholarship Program is a financial aid program based on financial need. It offers you the opportunity to tackle intelligence-related challenges while carrying out significant work related to your college major.

Benefits of the Program

As a Stokes Scholar, you will receive:

• Benefits across the agency
• Scholarship funds up to $18,000 per academic year for tuition, mandatory fees, and books; STEM majors can receive up to $25,000 per academic year
• Competitive salary throughout the year
• Summer employment
• Non-local scholars can have their official work tour travel expenses coordinated and paid
• Full-time officer position after graduation

As an employee of the CIA, you will take pride in knowing that your work contributes to a cause greater than yourself. Our mission is to ensure the safety of our nation, and every day presents an opportunity to strengthen U.S. national security.

Basic Requirements

Stokes Scholars must:

• Demonstrate financial need, as shown by an adjusted gross annual household income (AGI) of up to $120,000; if the scholar was not listed as a dependent in the previous tax year, the AGI limit is $50,000
• Accept Stokes scholarship funds and sign a Continued Service Agreement committing to work at the CIA for 1.5 years for each year in the Stokes Scholarship Program
• Commit to a full-time schedule (40 hours/week) for at least 12 weeks each summer in the WMA until graduation and onboard as a full-time officer (there is no break in service post-graduation; non-local scholars receive relocation benefits)
• Maintain a competitive GPA (minimum 3.0 on a 4.0 scale)
• Remain a full-time student while in the program (minimum 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
• Submit transcripts within 30 days of each semester's end
• Uphold a high standard of work performance, attendance, and conduct at both school and work
• Meet the minimum requirements for joining the CIA, including U.S. citizenship and a background investigation

Note: Non-compliance with any of the requirements may jeopardize continued participation in the program.

Preferred Qualifications

• Academic excellence in subjects related to college major or desired major
• Prior practical or job experience in your field of interest
• Demonstrated leadership abilities
• Strong interest in contributing to the CIA’s mission
• Proficiency in a foreign language. Languages of interest are listed on our Foreign Language page.

Annual Application Period

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

Due to the duration 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 Application Documents

• 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):
• For current high school seniors:
• For current Undergraduate or Graduate students: