Central Intelligence Agency: CIA Scholarship Opportunities
Scholarship Opportunities with the CIA
The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is probably one of the most secretive organizations in the world. It has been popularized in movies, television programming, and literature for decades since its establishment in 1947. But what exactly do they do? Their mission statement is simple: leverage the power of information to keep our Nation safe.
The CIA offers opportunities for college students. This includes CIA scholarships to help with school tuition at military friendly universities and other institutions.
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Student Programs at the CIA
The CIA offers internship and cooperative education programs that allow students to work alongside experts in their fields and gain real-world experience within the Intelligence Community (IC).
They make these opportunities available through Scholarship Programs, Undergraduate Programs, and Graduate Programs.
Scholarship Programs
The CIA offers financial need-based scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students. Past recipients of these scholarships received up to $18,000-$25,000 in tuition assistance per calendar year. Students are required to go through extensive medical and security screening processes. The CIA advises applicants, “…please submit your expression of interest at least 6-12 months before your desired start date.”
To apply, visit the CIA official site.
Undergraduate Internship Program
The CIA hosts a year-round internship program that allows undergraduate students to work in several areas before they graduate. The paid opportunities can range from areas like
- Finance
- Economics
- Foreign Language
- Engineering
- Information Technology
These are not the only areas of study that an intern can experience, but they are the most popular.
Since students must go through the same stringent medical and security screening processes as do employees, it is advised that they apply at least 12 months before the student’s desired start date.
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Graduate Studies for CIA Scholarship Program
The CIA’s Graduate Studies Program is available to full-time students in accredited graduate or doctoral programs. Participants in this program will complete at least one 90-day tour before graduating and provides graduate students an exciting opportunity to gain real-world experience.
Since this is a year-round program and participants must undergo a lengthy screening process, it is recommended that you apply at least 6-12 months in advance of your desired start date.
The CIA requires a thorough screening of every applicant, whether they are students or employees. All applicants must meet specific criteria to qualify for employment. If you are found eligible, you will proceed through the hiring process, which includes medical and security evaluations.
Benefits
If you are accepted into an internship or cooperative program, you may also be eligible for CIA employee benefits.
These benefits include:
- Health Insurance
- Paid Time Off
- Sick Leave
- Childcare (on-site or subsidy)
- Flexible Scheduling
- Student Loan Repayment
These are only part of what you will get, in addition to compensation, when you participate in one of the many student opportunities at the Central Intelligence Agency.
(Image courtesy of ruskpp via Shutterstock)
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About the author
Terry Howell is a retired Coast Guard veteran, where he served for 20 years.
He is currently the Executive Director for Veterans' Legacies, a non-profit that works to preserve veterans personal stories to help educate our youth.
Terry is also the author of The Military Advantage, an annually updated guide to military and veteran benefits.
