Microsoft and Last Mile - building equitable pathways to cybersecurity careers
 
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Microsoft Cybersecurity Scholarship Program

Powered by Last Mile Education Fund

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The US has a cybersecurity workforce shortage of nearly 700,000 trained professionals, yet only 3% of US students attain a credential in computer and information sciences and far fewer specialize in cybersecurity. ​The Last Mile Education Fund and Microsoft are working together to address the diversity and talent shortages in the cybersecurity workforce by investing in students like you. 

The Microsoft Cybersecurity Scholarship Program supports community college degree and industry certificate completion through financial assistance (up to $500) and subsidies for cybersecurity certification exam costs (up to $375). Financial assistance is intended to cover short-term basic needs, such as food, rent, health-related, transportation/car issues, and/or a laptop/device.

This opportunity is open to all academic classifications for students enrolled in a U.S. community college who are pursuing a certificate, associate, or bachelor's degree in cybersecurity or cyber-adjacent degrees such as information technology, computer science, data systems, etc. Students also receive access to LinkedIn Premium, GitHub Global Campus and Global Mentors Initiative.

We do accept dual enrollment for high school students also attending community college, however, all applicants must be at least 18 years of age to qualify for any funding from Last Mile Education Fund.

  • • To be eligible, applicants must be:

    • Residing in the United States

    • Currently enrolled in a U.S. community college and pursuing a certificate, associate, or bachelor's degree in cybersecurity or cyber-adjacent degrees such as information technology, computer science, data systems, etc.

    • Able to demonstrate financial need

    All students with financial need are eligible to apply. Students from groups who are underrepresented in cybersecurity are especially encouraged to apply, including those who identify as women, non-binary, and/or Black/LatinX/Indigenous, veterans, and/or have a disability.

  • • Financial assistance up to $500 OR

    • Subsidies to cover the cost of cybersecurity certification licensing exams up to $375

    • AND free LinkedIn Premium accounts to help close the networking gap

    • AND access to local GitHub sponsored events and GitHub Education benefits, including the Student Developer Pack

  • • If enrolled in a 2 year program: your current transcript clearly showing your name that includes the current academic term and includes the name of your post-secondary institution and your major/minor areas of study or industry certification program. Unofficial transcripts are accepted

    • If enrolled in a community college based bootcamp: proof of enrollment agreement that includes your name and recent date of enrollment

    • Your LinkedIn profile with a profile picture (**this is required and incomplete or invalid LinkedIn profiles links will make you ineligible for funding. To set up a LinkedIn profile, visit:https://bit.ly/3Dw0kx2) and a link to your GitHub profile, if available

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Betzaida Perez Gomez quote, "I feel confident about my decision in entering the Cybersecurity field. I hope to be CompTIA Sec+ certified in the near future and eventually land a Cybersecurity job after graduation."

A career in cybersecurity can transform a student’s trajectory, click here to learn more about the impact of this program.