The CIA’s Undergraduate Scholarship Program is a prestigious and competitive initiative that provides financial assistance to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need. As participants, students have the opportunity to engage in meaningful work and face real intelligence challenges on a full-time basis during summer breaks.
The program welcomes students from various majors, including IT, engineering, finance, foreign languages, international relations, and human resources. Upon college graduation, participants may be offered continued employment with the CIA, along with benefits such as tuition reimbursement and relocation assistance to the Washington, DC area.
The program aims to foster diversity, equity, and inclusion while offering professional experience and skill development in intelligence work. With state-of-the-art equipment and diverse project assignments, students gain practical knowledge in areas such as budget analysis, translation services, policy briefing, and personnel management.
The application period, typically held from March through June, selects candidates based on their academic excellence, income eligibility, and commitment to work with the Agency. Additionally, participants are obligated to complete a summer internship placement and uphold the agreement for continued employment. The Undergraduate Scholarship Program provides a comprehensive and rewarding experience for students aspiring to pursue a career in the intelligence field.
About CIA – Undergraduate Scholarship Program 2023-2024:
- Country: USA
- Degree Level: Undergadute
- NUMBER OF RECIPIENTS: Multiple
- Value: $25,000
- GPA: 3.0+
- Awards Available: 10
- GENDER-BASED: No
- FINANCIAL NEED-BASED: Yes
Real Intelligence Challenges and Meaningful Work
The CIA – Undergraduate Scholarship Program 2023-2024 offers students the opportunity to work on real intelligence challenges, gaining valuable experience in their chosen fields of study. For example, students majoring in IT may work on complex computer systems projects, while engineering majors may be involved in creating state-of-the-art equipment. Finance majors may create and analyze budgets for global operations, foreign language majors may translate documents for policymakers, and international relations majors may brief senior officials. This program offers meaningful work experiences that are aligned with students’ academic interests.
Commitment to Work for the CIA after Graduation
Scholarship recipients who accept the CIA’s offer must commit to working for the Agency for a specified period after graduation. The length of the commitment is 1.5 times the length of the college sponsorship received from the CIA. Scholarship recipients who leave the Agency before fulfilling their commitment must repay the U.S. Government for their tuition. This program is designed to attract and retain talented individuals committed to a career in intelligence and national security.
Diversity and Inclusion at the CIA
The CIA is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace that reflects the richness of our nation’s people. The Agency values individuals from different backgrounds and viewpoints, recognizing that diversity drives innovation and creativity. The CIA is an organization where individuals from diverse backgrounds can come together to work toward a common goal of keeping our country safe. We strive to create an inclusive environment where everyone is respected, valued, and can contribute to their full potential.
What is the CIA?
The Central Intelligence Agency, commonly known as the CIA, is a branch of the United States government that specializes in gathering unbiased intelligence on global affairs and foreign countries. This information is then provided to the president, National Security Council, and other decision-makers to assist them in making crucial national security decisions.
The primary objective of the CIA is to prevent potential threats and promote U.S. national security interests. To achieve this, the agency engages in a variety of activities, including the collection of foreign intelligence, producing impartial analyses, and conducting covert operations under the direction of the president. It is important to note that the CIA does not create or make recommendations on policy. Rather, it serves as an independent source of reliable information for those who do.
While the CIA operates independently and is not classified as a law enforcement agency, it collaborates closely with other entities such as the Intelligence Community, Department of Defense, and law enforcement agencies. This collaboration is crucial for addressing complex challenges including counterintelligence and counterterrorism, where the collective expertise and resources of these organizations are utilized to ensure national security and protect against threats.
As the world continues to evolve, so does the national security agenda of the United States. Nonetheless, the CIA’s mission remains unwavering: to protect the nation and advance its national security interests. The agency adheres to guiding principles, aspirations, and core values to stay on track as it undertakes this exceptional task.
Available Fields & Majors:
- Administration
- International Affairs
- Military
- Security
Eligibility Criteria:
To be eligible for the scholarship program, candidates must meet the following criteria:
Applicants for the CIA – Undergraduate Scholarship Program 2023-2024 must meet specific eligibility criteria.- These include being a citizen of the United States of America and at least 18 years old by the application deadline. Additionally, applicants must demonstrate a financial need, with a gross annual household income below $120,000.
- If not listed as a dependent in the previous tax year, the income ceiling is $50,000 or less. Furthermore, a minimum SAT score of 1000 or an ACT score of 21 is required, if available. These criteria ensure a fair and competitive selection process for the scholarship program.
- Must be accepted at a 4-year college/university or be pursuing an undergraduate degree as a full-time student and enrolled in or planning to take at least 12 credits per semester.
- Must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4-point scale for high school and/or college.
- The requirement is to work for a minimum of one 90-day summer tour before graduation and to have the willingness to work full-time at the CIA after graduation.
- Must be able to meet the minimum requirements for joining the CIA, including being a U.S. citizen and passing a background investigation.
Desired Qualifications:
While meeting the minimum qualifications is necessary, the ideal candidate for the scholarship program would possess the following qualifications:
- Academic excellence in core subjects related to their college major or desired major.
- Relevant practical or job experience in their field of interest.
- Demonstrated leadership qualities in extracurricular activities, work experience, or other contexts.
- A genuine interest in contributing to the mission of the CIA.
- Proficiency in a foreign language, with priority given to languages listed on the Foreign Language page on our website.
Financial Benefits Of CIA – Undergraduate Scholarship Program 2023-2024:
- Funding for participants is fully covered
- Scholarship recipients will receive the following benefits:
- “We offer tuition assistance of up to $18,000 per calendar year, which covers tuition, mandatory fees, and books.”
- “STEM field positions qualify for tuition assistance of up to $25,000 per calendar year.”
- “During summer tours, a daily allowance is provided to cover meals and incidentals.”
- “We reimburse transportation costs between school and Washington, DC.”
- Annual salary: starting salary: $32,733 – $43,609 ($15.74 – $20.96 per hour)
- Federal health and life insurance
- Federal retirement plans
- Employees are entitled to both paid time off and leave for sickness and holidays
- Education and training
- Health services
- Child care center
- CIA employees contribute to the mission of keeping the nation safe and have the opportunity to improve US national security every day.
Deadline:
The due date for completion or submission is June 30th, 2023.
How To Apply!
To apply, please follow the instructions provided by the relevant organization or institution, which may include filling out an online application, submitting a resume or CV, or completing an application form. You may also need to provide additional documentation or information, such as transcripts or letters of recommendation. Be sure to carefully review the application requirements and deadlines to ensure that your application is complete and submitted on time.
