Three Exciting Scholarship Opportunities at EC-Council University for Cybersecurity
Higher education can be an important stepping stone in your cybersecurity career, but prohibitive costs are often a concern for many aspiring cybersecurity students. Luckily, cybersecurity scholarships and educational grants can make educational opportunities accessible for all.
At EC-Council University (ECCU), we offer high-quality, accredited online cybersecurity education to prepare future industry leaders. To foster the growth of the cybersecurity community and encourage cybersecurity education, ECCU offers a range of cybersecurity scholarships for graduate and undergraduate students.
This article will cover a few of the financial assistance programs at ECCU that we’ve designed to aid aspiring cybersecurity students in continuing their education, including scholarships for veterans, outstanding academic achievers, and New Mexico residents. But before we dive into the scholarships at ECCU, let’s look at the importance of cybersecurity programs in 2022!
The Importance of Cybersecurity Scholarships
Cyberattacks are constantly evolving and affect both private and public organizations. Between 2020 and 2021, weekly attacks on corporate networks increased by 50%, and those targeting the government and military rose by 47% (Check Point Research, 2022).
As a result, organizations in every sector—from tech giants to governments to small businesses—are investing heavily in improving their cybersecurity infrastructure. The cybersecurity market was valued at almost USD 185 billion in 2021, and it’s only expected to grow over the next decade (Grand View Research, 2022).
To mitigate cyber risks and implement robust security measures, organizations need skilled IT and cybersecurity professionals. But despite the growing demand for qualified individuals in various specialized jobs to combat cyberattacks, the high number of unfilled positions in the industry—3.5 million in 2021—reveals a significant skills gap (Morgan, 2021).
Cybersecurity is a fast-growing sector that offers rewarding work and high pay—penetration testers and cybersecurity engineers in the United States rake in average annual salaries of around USD 88,000 and USD 98,000, for example. However, top-of-the-line cybersecurity and IT education is often expensive, creating obstacles for those seeking to join this exciting field.
Cybersecurity Scholarships at EC-Council University
At ECCU, we offer advanced education in cybersecurity that aligns closely with industry needs. Our faculty are industry experts who keep up with current and emerging cybersecurity threats and provide their students with the tools necessary to counter them.
ECCU offers a Bachelor of Science in Cyber Security (BSCS) and a Master of Science in Cyber Security (MSCS), with the latter offering five specializations aligned with real-world job roles. With the multidisciplinary skills they gain in ECCU’s BSCS and MSCS programs, students will be well equipped to build rewarding careers in IT and cybersecurity.
To encourage the growth of the cybersecurity community and help address the talent gap, ECCU offers various financial assistance programs for eligible students. We have a longstanding commitment to working with students who want to get a degree in cybersecurity but need help with tuition fees.
With this support, students can complete or continue their cybersecurity degrees and help address the cybersecurity field’s workforce shortage. The following section highlights three of the cybersecurity scholarship programs at ECCU that we’ve designed to help aspiring cybersecurity professionals continue their higher education.
The Cyber Security Dean’s Scholarship
The Cyber Security Dean’s Scholarship rewards academically dedicated students. This scholarship will cover up to 10% of a student’s tuition and is open to undergraduate, graduate, and new students at any stage of their education.
For the BSCS, applicants are eligible if they:
- are at least 18 years old;
- have completed an associate’s degree (or the foreign equivalent) or have completed at least 60 semester credit hours and can submit proof of a high school diploma (or the foreign equivalent);
- have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher;
- have obtained a grade of A, B, or C in a college-level math or English class; and
- are sufficiently proficient in English.
Graduate-level applicants (those pursuing the MSCS) are eligible if they:
- are at least 18 years old;
- have obtained a bachelor’s degree (or the foreign equivalent) from an accredited institution with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher; and
- are sufficiently proficient in English.
The Cyber Security Hero’s Scholarship
ECCU is proud to offer financial assistance to our nation’s heroes: those who have served in the military or as first responders and their spouses and children. The Cyber Security Hero’s Scholarship honors these individuals’ service to their nation and community by helping them establish a career in cybersecurity following their service.
The Hero’s Scholarship covers up to 10% of tuition each year for new or current undergraduate and graduate students. Eligible applicants must meet certain academic standards and be able to submit verification of military service (DD214), verification of employment with a police or fire department, or evidence of being a spouse or child of such an employee.
New Mexico Cyber Security Scholarship
ECCU—which is based in Albuquerque, NM—offers a scholarship for undergraduate and graduate students who are residents of New Mexico. The New Mexico Scholarship can cover 10% of tuition for selected applicants. To be eligible for this scholarship, applicants must currently reside in the State of New Mexico, have been a resident of New Mexico for at least the previous 12 months, and be able to submit documents supporting the same.
Those seeking the New Mexico Scholarship must also meet certain academic qualifications and submit a formal letter that explains why they are requesting the scholarship and outlines their personal and professional history and goals. Selected applicants must also meet certain performance standards to keep the scholarship.
EC-Council University: Dedicated to Promoting the Growth of the Cybersecurity Workforce
ECCU seeks to play an ongoing role in building the cybersecurity workforce by supporting students’ efforts to complete their degrees, regardless of socioeconomic status. We offer a variety of scholarships to students from all walks of life and backgrounds. These cybersecurity scholarships are designed to support aspiring cybersecurity professionals in achieving their career goals by easing financial barriers.
The scholarship programs at ECCU are available to new and continuing graduate and undergraduate students. Applicability varies by program and is determined by specific eligibility requirements. If you’re interested in pursuing a career in cybersecurity but need financial support, contact ECCU to learn how our cybersecurity scholarships can help.
References
Check Point Research. (2022, January 10). Check Point Research: Cyber attacks increased 50% year over year. Check Point Blog. https://blog.checkpoint.com/2022/01/10/check-point-research-cyber-attacks-increased-50-year-over-year/
Grand View Research. (2022). Cyber security market size & share report, 2030. https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/cyber-security-market
Morgan, S. (2021, November 9). Cybersecurity jobs report: 3.5 million openings in 2025. Cybercrime Magazine. https://cybersecurityventures.com/jobs/
PayScale. (2022, May 8). Average penetration tester salary. https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Penetration_Tester/Salary
PayScale. (2022, May 10). Average cyber security engineer salary. https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Cyber_Security_Engineer/Salary
