vCISO Cybersecurity Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Fractional CISO

Description

Fractional CISO’s vCISO Cybersecurity Scholarship awards a one-time $1,000 scholarship to a full-time student in the United States who is majoring in cybersecurity. The scholarship supports both undergraduate and graduate study and is intended to spotlight promising early-career cybersecurity students by publishing a winning essay about their journey. Selection is based on the submitted personal essay and follow-up communications with the candidate.

Key takeaways

• Purpose:

Support and publish a cybersecurity student’s personal essay.

• Provider:

Fractional CISO.

• Scope:

U.S.-based, full-time cybersecurity majors only.

Eligibility

Eligibility is limited to students who are actively majoring in cybersecurity at a U.S. academic institution. Applicants may be undergraduates or graduate students and must be at least 18 years old. Employees, partners, clients of Fractional CISO and their family members are not eligible.

Key takeaways

• Who may apply:

U.S. students majoring in cybersecurity (undergrad or grad).

• Age requirement: 18 years or older.
• Excluded:

Fractional CISO employees, partners, clients and their families.

Application & Submissions

Applicants must submit a personal essay describing their cybersecurity journey and provide contact details (mailing address, email, phone) through the scholarship form on the website. Draft your essay on your computer because the submission site does not retain copies and submitted essays cannot be edited or retrieved. Fractional CISO evaluates applications based on the essay and subsequent communications with the candidate.

Key takeaways

• What to submit:

Personal essay plus mailing address, email, and phone.

• How to submit:

Use the form on the scholarship page; do not rely on the submission site to store a draft.

• Evaluation:

Winner chosen from essay and follow-up communications.

Timeline & Notification

For the 2025 cycle, the submission window runs from March through May; applications submitted outside this period will not be considered. Fractional CISO will notify the selected recipient within six weeks of the close of the submission period. If there are no qualifying submissions, the organization may extend the deadline or cancel the cycle.

Key takeaways

• 2025 window:

March–May (strict; late submissions not considered).

• Notification:

Within six weeks after the submission period closes.

• Contingency:

Deadline may be extended or cycle canceled if no qualifying entries.

Award Value & Payment

The scholarship award is $1,000 and will be paid directly to the recipient’s educational institution. Funds must be applied to tuition, fees, or housing expenses as directed in the award terms. Recipients are responsible for any tax implications associated with the award.

Key takeaways

• Amount: $1,000 one-time scholarship.
• Payment method:

Paid to the educational institution for tuition, fees, or housing.

• Taxes:

Candidate is responsible for tax obligations.

Winner Requirements & Publication Rights

By applying, candidates grant Fractional CISO the right to edit, publish, and use the essay and the winner’s name as it sees fit. The winning candidate will collaborate with Fractional CISO to edit the essay for publication and must submit an electronic headshot and a relevant photo for use; Fractional CISO is licensed to edit and publish those images. The winner may also be required to provide proof of enrollment; failure to cooperate or respond in a timely manner can result in forfeiture of the award.

Key takeaways

• Publication license:

Essay and winner’s name may be edited and published by Fractional CISO.

• Photos required:

Winner must provide a headshot and a relevant photo for publication.

• Cooperation required:

Timely response and collaboration on edits are mandatory.

Privacy, Rights & Other Terms

Fractional CISO may share applicant personal information with third‑party scholarship administrators, educational institutions, and government agencies as necessary. Submitting false or misleading information will invalidate an application, and Fractional CISO reserves the right to cancel the scholarship program at its discretion. The organization will not disclose decision details to unsuccessful applicants.

Key takeaways

• Information sharing:

Personal data may be shared with administrators, schools, or government agencies.

• Integrity:

False or misleading submissions invalidate candidacy.

• Program control:

Fractional CISO may cancel the program and will not provide decision details to unsuccessful candidates.