National Cyber Scholarship Foundation (NCSF) training scholarships are now worth college credit

The NCSF announces college credit eligibility for students who earn their GIAC Foundational Cybersecurity Technologies (GFACT) certification.

The National Cyber Scholarship Foundation (NCSF)’s programs and scholarships aim to empower America’s future Cyber Stars and identify talented high school and college students. This update for 2022/23 focuses on one of the National Cyber Scholarship Foundation’s three core values - nurturing potential.

The NCSF nurtures potential by offering free training, provided by the global leader in cybersecurity training, and certifications to as many people as possible and continue strengthening the pipeline into the cybersecurity industry.

GFACT-certified students will be awarded college credits for 2021/22 and 2022/23

Students who completed the SANS SEC275 course and earned their GFACT certification in 2021/22, or those who will earn their certification in the cohort for 2022/23 through one of the NCSF’s programs, are now eligible to use their certification for college credit.

This significant development aims to ensure that the scholarship opportunity provided by the NCSF will appeal to a wider variety of talented students, in addition to those already considering a cybersecurity study path.

Eligible students will be sent details on how to request a transcript showing their earned credits.

Successful completion of the GFACT certification will give students 3 credit hours (many undergraduate programs have 12-18 credits per semester).

Students with college credits could gain a head start for college programs across the USA.

More opportunities to use college credits to further students’ careers

The SANS Technology Institute (SANS.edu) offers career-focused undergraduate and graduate programs on the cutting edge of cybersecurity. They are one of the largest cybersecurity programs in the United States and the only college focused exclusively on cybersecurity.

SEC275/GFACT is the first course in the undergraduate certificate program and bachelor’s degree program through SANS Technology Institute, so interested parties may consider applying existing credits towards that program in the future.

We hope this update helps students pursuing a college education land their first cybersecurity role and succeed in the industry!

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