Skills to Protect and Defend

Military and First Responders: Receive up to $5,000 in Tuition to Start Your Career in Cybersecurity

In coalition with the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) and six other schools, Anne Arundel Community College was awarded National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) scholarship funding by the National Security Agency for transitioning veterans and first responders into the field of cybersecurity. Qualifying and selected students will receive up to $5,000 in tuition and fees (not including books, supplies or laptops). 

The objective of the grant is supported by the AACC course Network Security Fundamentals (CTS-140) to prepare students for the CompTIA Security+® certification. Grant recipients will obtain their CompTIA certification and receive mentoring and support, including, but not limited to:

• Planning and reviewing academic evaluations
• Technical guidance
• Professional development activities and additional support as needed to be placed in a paid internship
• Apprenticeship and/or permanent employment in governance, risk and compliance (GR&C) positions, or other cybersecurity related positions.

Eligibility

• Must be a veteran of the U.S. armed forces OR a first responder interested in a career in cybersecurity
• Must be currently enrolled in, or applied for admission/transfer to, a cybersecurity-related program at AACC:
  • Information Assurance and Cybersecurity (A.A.S.)
  • Advanced Network Security (certificate)
  • Network Security (certificate)
  • Other approved program of study (must be approved by the program navigators). 

Benefits

• Up to $5,000 in tuition and academic fees for CTS (computer technologies) or other grant-approved classes (does not include books, supplies or laptops)

Selection

AACC scholarships are offered on a competitive basis. The scholarships are effective until 2025 starting with the spring 2024 term. Scholarship recipients are selected based on:

• Academic performance
• Résumé key items
• Letters of recommendation
• Interview

How to Apply

If you're a new student:

1. Apply to AACC.
2. After you have submitted an application, you will receive emails with your AACC student ID number and information regarding MyAACC, our online student portal. You must activate your MyAACC and college computer accounts to apply for the scholarship.

Once you've applied OR if you're a currently enrolled student:

1. Complete the online scholarship application. Log in as a student with your username and select the Cyber GR&C Coalition Scholarship Application. You will need to upload your résumé, transcripts from any previous post-secondary schools and letters of recommendation.

Application deadline is a rolling deadline until all scholarships have been awarded. 

Questions

If you have questions about the grant program, feel free to contact:

Mary Wallingsford
Faculty, Cybersecurity, Networking and Digital Forensics
Program navigator
mewallingsford@aacc.edu
CALT 248
410-777-7173

Adrian Pringle
Faculty, Cybersecurity, Networking and Digital Forensics
Program navigator
alpringle@aacc.edu 
CALT 348
410-777-2492

Scholarships are funded through grants awarded by the National Security Agency and 2023 NCAE Program-Rochester Institute of Technology coalition grant H98230-23-1-0086.