Description
Stokes Educational Scholarship Program
The National Security Agency (NSA) is currently accepting applications from across the Country for the Stokes Educational Scholarship Program. This program is looking for high school seniors, particularly minorities, who are interested in pursuing degrees in Computer Science, Computer or Electrical Engineering.
If you are currently a sophomore in college and majoring in Mathematics or courses of study leading to a career in Intelligence Analysis you can also apply.
Selected participants in the Stokes Program receive an annual salary, reimbursement for books and full tuition for college.
A position in the Stokes Educational Scholarship Program means you will attend classes full-time at your school, then work during the summer at NSA in areas that are related to your course of study. If you are selected as a program participant, you are required to work in your area of study for NSA after your college graduation for at least one-and-a-half times your length of study. If you should leave NSA employment earlier, we'll make arrangements for you to pay back the government for your tuition and book costs. Also, students accepted into the program must maintain at least a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale each semester after their freshman year.
Requirements
While the eligibility requirements for our Stokes Program are subject to change from year to year, below you will find our basic prerequisites.
High School Students (applying for Computer Science, Computer or Electrical Engineering):
- U.S. Citizenship
- Minimum SAT/College Board score of 1600, or ACT score of 25
- Preferred GPA of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale
- Demonstrated leadership abilities
Qualifications for ALL College sophomores:
- U.S. Citizenship
- Preferred cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above for your freshman year
College sophomores applying for Mathematics:
- Must be majoring in Mathematics
College sophomores applying for Intelligence Analysis:
- must be majoring in
- International Affairs/Relations,
- International Finance, or
- Area Studies
How To Apply - External Program applications will be accepted between September 1st and November 30th each year. Please read and follow all application instructions. Since participation in the NSA's Stokes Program includes an offer of employment, please make sure that your application packet is complete.
** PLEASE NOTE: Incomplete applications will not be considered. The deadline for applications is November 30th and all information submitted by mail must be postmarked by November 30th to be eligible for consideration.
To apply for the Stokes Educational Scholarship Program, applicants must first:
Submit a resume online at
www.nsa.gov (see below for information to include)
Once your resume has been submitted online, please submit the following by mail:
1. Letter of Recommendation from a teacher/counselor/advisor who can attest to your academic abilities (two letters for Math applicants).
2. One-page essay entitled, "I want a career at NSA because..."
3. An official transcript from your high school or college. Your high school transcript should indicate your cumulative GPA and class rank (if applicable). Math applicants: must submit transcripts from high school and all colleges attended.
4. Copy of your SAT/ACT or College Board scores (High School students and Math applicants only).
5. Three (3) pages of supplemental information, if desired. This information can be anything that would enhance your application, such as an original essay, math problem, etc...
Your resume must include the following information:
- Name
- Street Address
- City, State & Zip Code
- E-mail Address
- Phone Number
- Date of Birth
- High School (or College) Name, Street Address, City, State, Zip Code, and Phone Number
- Preferred College Major (Computer Science, Computer or Electrical Engineering, Intelligence Analysis, or Math).
If you are a High School Senior, your resume must also include:
- Unweighted GPA
- Honors or AP courses
- ACT scores (if taken)
- Extracurricular activities
- Class size & rank (if applicable)
- Highest SAT score for Math and Verbal
- College Boards (applicable in Puerto Rico)
- School activities
- Leadership positions held
Mailing address:
STOKES APPLICATION
National Security Agency, Attn: Stokes
9800 Savage Road, Suite: 6779
Fort George G. Meade, MD 20755-6779
1-866-NSA-HIRE or 410/854-4725
(For the phone menu options, please select Student Programs and then Stokes)
All positions in the National Security Agency are in the excepted service. In October 2009, NSA will transition to a pay-for-performance system utilizing a pay-band compensation structure under the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS).
U.S. Citizenship is required for all applicants. A security clearance must be granted prior to employment and you will be required to undergo extensive pre-employment processing. This includes: aptitude testing; an interview with a psychologist and a security interview conducted with the aid of a polygraph; and a personnel interview. The final stage of processing will be successful completion of a background investigation.
Reasonable accommodations provided to applicants with disabilities during the application and hiring process where appropriate. NSA is an equal opportunity employer and abides by applicable employment laws and regulations. All applicants and employees are subject to random drug testing in accordance with Executive Order 12564. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a security background investigation and polygraph.
The NSA is committed to cultural diversity in its workplace.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.