The Undergraduate Scholarship Program is a financial needs based initiative that offers undergraduate students an unmatched experience in a diverse and inclusive environment. Undergraduate students, serving as scholarship recipients with the CIA, attend an accredited college/university on a full-time basis and work during summer breaks at the CIA.

While working at the CIA, you will be exposed to intelligence challenges while performing meaningful work that relates to your college major. An IT major, for example, might be given increasingly complex projects involving sophisticated computer systems. An engineering major might help produce a piece of state-of-the-art equipment. A finance major could be involved in developing and analyzing budgets for a worldwide operation, while a foreign language major might be instrumental in translating documents for US policymakers. An international relations major might brief a senior policymaker and, as a final example, a human resources major could have the opportunity to develop and implement personnel policies and procedures.

If selected as a scholarship recipient, you will receive a wide array of benefits, including:

• Tuition assistance up to $18,000 per calendar year for tuition, mandatory fees and books
• Daily allowance for meals and incidentals during summer tours
• Reimbursement for transportation costs between school and Washington, DC
• Annual salary
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Federal retirement plans
• Paid time off, as well as sick and holiday leave

Because the CIA invests in scholarship recipients, accepting an offer means continued employment with the CIA for a specified timeframe. You are required to work at the CIA after college graduation for a period equal to 1.5 times the length of the college sponsorship you received from the CIA. Students who leave earlier are required to reimburse the US government for their tuition. All positions require relocation to the Washington, DC Metropolitan area during summer work tours.

Offices of the CIA

Our Undergraduate Scholarship recipients work in all Directorates and Offices of CIA. click here to learn more about our five directorates and offices that support the Director of the CIA.

Life at the CIA

In addition to a comprehensive benefits package, the CIA offers exciting career opportunities and a dynamic environment. We’re on the forefront of world-altering events–as they happen. Working here isn’t just a job, it’s a mindset and a lifestyle.

Minimum Qualifications:

• 18 years of age by date of application to the scholarship program
• Financial need as demonstrated by the gross annual household income ceiling up to $70,000 for a family of four or less, and $80,000 for a family of five or more
  • If the applicant has not been listed as a dependent for the previous tax year, the gross annual household income ceiling is $35,000 or less
• 1000 SAT (new official score scale) or 1500 (old score scale); or 21 ACT scores or higher (high school students)
• Acceptance at a 4- or 5-year college/university; or pursing an undergraduate degree as a full time student enrolled in, or planning to take, at least 9 credits per semester
• GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for high school and/or college
• Availability to work at least two 90-day summer tours prior to graduation and willingness to work at CIA full time after graduation

Desired Qualifications:

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

The Scholarship Program is extremely competitive, therefore attention to detail is critical. The following items must be attached to your on-line application (PDF format preferred):

• Cover sheet listing all documents attached
• SAT or ACT scores (for high school seniors who are taking the SAT or ACT in the fall, please make note of your test date in your application).
• Names and ages of all family dependents and proof of gross annual household income. Please provide one of the following documents to prove that you meet the financial requirements of the program:
  • Either a copy of your most current Federal Application for Financial Student Aid Form (FAFSA),
  • Or a copy of the most recent W2(s) stating gross annual household income
• Unofficial transcripts for all degrees.
• Two letters of recommendation
• Scholarship Program Application [PDF*]
• Qualification Supplement [PDF*]

ALL POSITIONS REQUIRE RELOCATION TO THE WASHINGTON DC METROPOLITAN AREA.

All applicants must successfully complete a thorough medical and psychological exam, a polygraph interview, and an extensive background investigation. US citizenship is required.

To be considered suitable for Agency employment, applicants must generally not have used illegal drugs within the last twelve months. The issue of illegal drug use prior to twelve months ago is carefully evaluated during the medical and security processing.

Important Notice: Friends, family, individuals, or organizations may be interested to learn that you are an applicant for or an employee of the CIA. Their interest, however, may not be benign or in your best interest. You cannot control whom they would tell. We therefore ask you to exercise discretion and good judgment in disclosing your interest in a position with the Agency. You will receive further guidance on this topic as you proceed through your CIA employment processing.

To Apply:

Save the position(s) that interest you in the job cart. You can add up to four (4) positions. Job cart selections will only be retained during this site visit, so be sure to click “Apply Now” before closing the browser window. After clicking “Apply Now” you will be taken to the application account creation page. The positions will appear in the cart once you have created an account. DO NOT submit multiple applications; this will only slow the review of your application and delay processing. Please read the Application Instructions carefully before you begin the online application process.

Application Instructions

An equal opportunity employer and a drug-free work force.

*The latest version of Adobe® Reader® is needed to view Adobe PDF files. Additionally, Internet Explorer is not a recommended web browser. If you don’t already have Adobe Reader installed, you may download the current version at www.adobe.com (opens in a new window). [external link disclaimer]

Announcing a New Scholarship For Students Impacted By Mesothelioma

College students living with mesothelioma face many challenges for completing their education because of the cost of treatment along with the debilitating symptoms they may suffer from this health condition. Even caring for a loved one with this medical condition leaves students dealing with constraints that make it harder to attend school without worries. Fortunately, Mesothelioma.net has issued a scholarship that makes it possible to alleviate some of the financial burden for students who strive to accomplish their dreams despite their challenges.

Determine Eligibility

It is important to note that every student who has battled some type of cancer is eligible to apply. Students who have watched a close family member or friend fight against cancer are also encouraged to apply for this opportunity since the emotional and financial toll taken by long-term health problems also affects their ability to complete school without assistance.

To apply:

• students must currently be enrolled in a two-year, four-year community college or university within the United States of America.
• applicants must have a current GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Currently, the organization is currently accepting applications for the next fall semester with a deadline of August 15, 2017. One student each fall will be awarded a $2,000 scholarship to help with the costs of their education.

Write a Life Experience Essay

The most important part of the application process involves writing a personal essay that details the experiences one has had with cancer. Students should include details about how this experience has shaped their life, any challenges that they have had to overcome and their hopes for the future. Since many other people are also applying, students should feel free to put their emotions into this piece to give a full picture of how the award will impact their future both while still in school and beyond. As a part of this essay, personal information such as the applicant’s name, address, phone number and current school should also be included.

Gather Additional Information and Documentation

As with any academic award application, students will need to demonstrate proof of their eligibility. Therefore, students will need to submit a letter on official school letterhead that proves they are enrolled full-time at an academic institution. A transcript is also required that proves good academic standing for the prior semester. Students will also need to send in two letters of recommendation that provide an explanation of why they are deserving of the award. If a student has other achievements such as athletic or academic awards, volunteer work or honors, then they should also include information detailing what makes them stand out among others.

Once the entire application has been submitted, the organization will review it along with all others that are received. Then they will issue the award to one deserving student who they determine most demonstrates strength in adversity and a desire to help others. Through this assistance, the primary goal is to raise awareness of the impact of cancer while helping a special student achieve their dreams.