The Paller Cybersecurity Scholarship is an international scholarship program providing free access to a world-class cybersecurity education at the SANS Technology Institute (SANS.edu) to dedicated people — both in technical roles and those who are new to cybersecurity — who want to make their organizations, regions, and countries safer and more secure, and who show exceptional potential to succeed.
As the leading international cybersecurity program and the only college solely focused on cybersecurity education, SANS.edu is committed to identifying the very best new talent, filling the cybersecurity skills gap, and better protecting the societies in which our new cyber graduates operate.
Benefits
The Paller Cybersecurity Scholarship offers two scholarship tracks.
- The New to Cyber Track is for people who want to enter the field of cybersecurity and have at least 48 college credits. No prior technical experience is required. Students in this track will be considered for our undergraduate certificate and bachelor’s degree programs in Applied Cybersecurity.
- The Experienced Student Track is for people who have a bachelor’s degree and some IT or information security experience. Students in this track will be considered for our highly technical graduate certificate programs and our Master of Science program in Information Security Engineering.
Students at SANS.edu take one course at a time, and most courses conclude with an industry-recognized GIAC certification exam. The scholarship includes all course fees, course materials, and GIAC certification exams.
NOTE: The scholarship fully funds online courses but does not include travel and lodging expenses for students who choose to attend in-person courses.
Scholarship Courses
- Cybersecurity
Requirements
To be eligible for the Paller Cybersecurity Scholarship, applicants must:
- Be a non-U.S. citizen and not currently reside in the U.S.
- Be 18 or older o Have never earned a GIAC certification (with scholarship exceptions)
- Be a native English speaker or able to meet the requirements for nonnative English speakers
- Meet the admissions requirements for one of our programs
- We offer programs and scholarships for all levels of experience. Applicants can have experience in cybersecurity, be new to the field, or not in a cyber role at all.
Consider a program of interest and eligibility
• Paller Cybersecurity Scholarship applicants will select a program of interest on the application form. Students can choose from the:
Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Cybersecurity
Undergraduate Certificate in Applied Cybersecurity
Job-specific graduate certificate programs
• Explore the curriculum and minimum requirements for each of these programs. Applicants need to meet the minimum eligibility for at least one of these programs to be considered.
Selection Process
Paller Cybersecurity Scholarship Timeline
- Scholarships application portal opens: October 1, 2025
- Scholarship application deadline (including ALL materials): January 15, 2026
- Scholarship winners notified by: February 28, 2026
- Scholarship winners must confirm acceptance by: March 16, 2026
- Scholarship winners can begin their program as early as: April 1, 2026
Paller Cybersecurity Scholars have the option of completing their programs fully online while working full-time.
Application Documents
Official Academic Records (“transcripts”)
- For this scholarship, you must provide an official record of your undergraduate/bachelor’s degree studies.
- This document should: List all the courses (subjects) you completed, show the grades, marks, or scores you received for each, include your dates of attendance and the degree awarded and be issued by your university with an official stamp, seal, or signature
English Proficiency
Applicants must show proof that you can study in English at a high academic level.
Ways to meet this requirement:
1. Take an approved English proficiency test we accept:
TOEFL
IELTS Academic
Cambridge English Assessment
Required steps:
Register for one of the above exams.
Have your official score report sent directly from the testing organization to transcripts@sans.edu.
See our international student requirements for minimum score details and test scheduling.
2. Request a Degree Exception
If you have earned a degree from a degree program taught entirely in English, you may request a waiver.
To request the waiver, indicate your request on the English Proficiency Form during the application process.
You must send an official transcript from that school showing your language of instruction was English.
Resume
- An up-to-date resume is required. The resume should include your education history, a full work history with dates of employment and details on each role, any industry certifications, and relevant industry CTFs or exposure.
- The resume document will be uploaded in the application portal.
- We do not require you have experience in a cybersecurity role to be eligible for one of our (undergraduate) career-transition programs. The resume will provide helpful background to the Admissions Committee for what program(s) you are eligible for.
Method of Application
Click Here to Apply
For More Information,
Application Deadline: January 15, 2026.
