Paller Cybersecurity Scholarships are among the fully funded scholarships for undergraduate and graduate cybersecurity programs that offer free, top-tier cybersecurity training through the SANS Technology Institute to motivated individuals, whether already in technical fields or completely new to cybersecurity, who aim to strengthen the safety of their organizations, regions, and countries. The program seeks applicants who demonstrate strong potential for success in cybersecurity. As the world’s leading dedicated cybersecurity institution, SANS Institute focuses on discovering exceptional talent, addressing the global cybersecurity skills shortage, and enhancing protection across the communities served by its graduates. The Paller Cybersecurity Scholarship is fully non-residential and does not require an F-1 visa, nor does it provide eligibility to apply for one.
SANS Technology Institute
SANS offers career-focused undergraduate and graduate programs at the forefront of cybersecurity. It is one of the largest cybersecurity education providers in the United States and the only college dedicated to the field. The institute opens doors at every stage of your cybersecurity career. No other institution matches the depth and breadth of its hands-on, state-of-the-art cybersecurity courses. SANS is designated as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense by the National Security Agency (NSA). Each year, cybersecurity employers send 40,000+ employees to take SANS courses and earn GIAC certifications, i.e., a testament to the real-world relevance and value of SANS training and the rigorous skills validation offered by GIAC.
“Alan Paller dedicated his life to vastly improving cybersecurity practitioners’ skills to thwart ever-increasing threats. Due to Alan’s commitment, hard work, and kindness, hundreds of thousands of students have become better cyber defenders. His legacy and lifetime dedication continue to embody the SANS mission.” – Ed Skoudis, President, SANS Technology Institute.
“SANS is the Oxford of security studies, so expectations are naturally quite high. Living up to those is not a trivial accomplishment!” – Shawna Turner, Principal Engineer, Nike
Paller Cybersecurity Scholarship Eligibility Criteria
SANS seeks highly skilled, community-minded individuals aged 18 and older passionate about driving positive change and safeguarding people, organizations, and nations through cybersecurity. Are you eager to make a real impact? The institute offers world-class cybersecurity training to help you start or grow a meaningful career if you are a curious and driven problem solver. The Paller Cybersecurity Scholarship is open exclusively to non-American citizens. All classes and labs are conducted in English, so an English proficiency test is essential. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds and make selections without bias toward gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, race, ethnicity, religion, or disability. Paller Cybersecurity Scholars have the option of completing their programs fully online while working full-time.
What are the minimum English proficiency scores?
For the TOEFL exam, applicants must attain a minimum score of 25 in each of the sub-categories (Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing) and a minimum overall score of 100. For the IELTS exam, applicants must attain a minimum score of 7.5 in each of the IELTS sub-categories and a minimum overall score of 7.5. Candidates should take the Academic version of the IELTS exam. For the Cambridge exam, applicants must attain a minimum score of 191 in each sub-category and a minimum overall score of 191. Scores must be sent to us directly by the testing agencies (e.g., ETS for TOEFL iBT).
What Does Paller Cybersecurity Scholarship Cover?
The Paller cybersecurity scholarships fully fund online courses but do not include travel and lodging expenses for students attending in-person courses. Students at the SANS Technology Institute take one course at a time (refer to the following tracks), and most courses conclude with an industry-recognized GIAC certification exam. The scholarship includes all course fees, materials, and GIAC certification exams. It 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 with a bachelor’s degree and 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.
Paller Scholarships Application Deadline
If you want to apply for year 202(n+1) (example: 2026 if n=5), you need to check the announcement by SANS Technology Institute in August 202(n) (example: August 2025 if n=5). Usually, in October 202(n) (example: October 2025 if n=5), applications will open for 202(n+1) (example: 2026 if n=5). A downloadable scholarship application guide will be available when the application window opens in every October (one is available for academic year 2025-2026 under the conclusion section of this article). The current scholarship window opened on October 01, 2025, and the timeline is:
- 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
How to Apply for the Paller Scholarship 2025
International students who are non-US citizens can apply online through the Paller Cybersecurity Scholarship portal. Scholarship applicants must complete their application by January 15, 2026. There is no application fee for the Paller Cybersecurity Scholarship. The SANS Technology Institute does not charge any fees to apply for the Paller Cybersecurity Scholarship, but applicants may need to pay fees for official transcript evaluations (if your undergraduate school was located outside the US) via TEC or IEE, even if your school used the U.S. credit system. An English proficiency exam also has its own fees. Academic transcripts must meet these requirements:
- List all completed subjects, grades, and credits
- Include an official stamp or signature from your school
- Be sent directly from your prior institution to a credential evaluation agency (TEC or IEE), and then forwarded to SANS.edu without student handling. They won’t accept transcripts directly from students or from international schools without evaluation.
Conclusion
The Paller Cybersecurity Scholarship represents a life-changing opportunity for motivated non-US citizens seeking to build a world-class cybersecurity career through the SANS Technology Institute. As cyber threats escalate worldwide, this scholarship empowers talented individuals to gain advanced technical training, earn industry-recognized GIAC certifications, and join a global network of skilled defenders (all without the financial burden of tuition). Its commitment to accessibility, diversity, and excellence makes it one of the most impactful cybersecurity scholarships available to international applicants. If you aim to contribute meaningfully to global cyber defense, this program provides an exceptional pathway toward that goal. Read the following complete PDF guide about the Paller Cybersecurity Scholarship for 2025-2026.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who is eligible for the Paller Cybersecurity Scholarship?
The scholarship is open exclusively to non-US citizens who are at least 18 years old and passionate about cybersecurity. Applicants must meet the English proficiency requirements and either have 48+ college credits (New to Cyber Track) or a bachelor’s degree with IT/cyber experience (Experienced Student Track).
What if you do not meet the SANS’ minimum English proficiency scores?
At this time, they only accept students who have met their minimum English proficiency scores.
Does the scholarship require a visa or allow F-1 visa sponsorship?
No. The Paller Cybersecurity Scholarship is fully non-residential and does not require an F-1 visa. It also does not grant eligibility to apply for an F-1 visa.
What costs are covered by the Paller Cybersecurity Scholarship?
The scholarship covers all online course fees, materials, and GIAC certification exams. It does not cover travel or lodging for students who choose in-person classes.
How competitive is the application process for Paller Scholarship?
Very competitive. The scholarship attracts applicants worldwide. Strong candidates submit high-quality essays, proof of English proficiency, official evaluated transcripts, and demonstrate commitment to cybersecurity and community impact.
When does the application for the Paller Cybersecurity Scholarship open and close each year?
Applications typically open in October and close in mid-January of the following year. Winners are notified by late February and begin their studies as early as April.
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