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.
Eligibility Criteria
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
Cybersecurity Master’s Degree
• 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.
Offered Benefits
- 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.
