Microsoft Cybersecurity Scholarship 2027 - Up to $500
The Microsoft Cybersecurity Scholarship Program targets the gap between open cyber jobs and community college graduates entering the field. Last Mile Education Fund administers the award with Microsoft support, offering up to $500 in rapid financial assistance for basics like rent, food, health costs, transportation, or a device, or up to $375 to cover cybersecurity certification exam fees. Enrolled US community college students in cybersecurity, information technology, computer science, or similar majors can apply through Last Mile single Caravan application once they are 18. You also get LinkedIn Premium, GitHub Global Campus, and Global Mentors Initiative access. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and students who already received this specific award cannot apply again.
What is the Microsoft Cybersecurity Scholarship Program?
The Microsoft Cybersecurity Scholarship Program exists because the US still has hundreds of thousands of unfilled cyber jobs while only a sliver of students finish computing credentials each year. Microsoft partnered with Last Mile Education Fund to reach community college students who are close to a degree or industry certification but get knocked off course by a rent bill, a broken laptop, or a certification exam fee. The amounts are modest on paper, up to $500 for living costs or up to $375 for exam subsidies, yet that scale matches how Last Mile operates: quick help when a small expense would otherwise pause your progress.
You apply through Last Mile Caravan portal, the same front door used for semiconductor, transportation, and other rapid-response funds. That means one profile can surface every award you qualify for, not just the Microsoft line item. You still need to be 18, enrolled at a US community or technical college, studying cybersecurity or a neighbor major like IT or computer science, and able to document financial need the way Last Mile describes on its Apply page. High school dual-enrollment students are welcome in the classroom but not in the payout queue until they hit the age floor.
Winners also pick up LinkedIn Premium, GitHub Global Campus, and Global Mentors Initiative access, which matters when you are trying to turn a community college credential into a first cyber job. If you are comparing training paths, read the Google Cybersecurity Course guide for certificate options and the Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship if you are still in high school planning a four-year CS route.
Eligibility
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✓Enrolled at a US community or technical collegeYou must be currently enrolled in a United States community college or technical college in a cybersecurity program or a cyber-adjacent major such as information technology, computer science, or data systems. Applied bachelor's degrees count when the degree is offered by a community or technical college.
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✓At least 18 years oldAll applicants must be 18 or older at the time of application. Dual-enrollment high school students in community college classes are not eligible for funding until they meet the age requirement.
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✓Last Mile standard eligibilityYou must meet Last Mile Education Fund baseline rules on the Apply page: accredited US enrollment, STEM major in a supported field, evidence of financial need, emergent financial obstacle, valid LinkedIn profile with photo, US email and mailing address, and ability to complete W-8 or W-9 with SSN or ITIN.
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✓First-time Microsoft Cybersecurity awardeeStudents who previously received an award from the Microsoft Cybersecurity Scholarship Program cannot apply again for this specific fund.
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✓Cybersecurity or related program of studyYour major, minor, or industry certification track should align with cybersecurity or closely related technology fields named on the program page.
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✓Approaching degree completion (Last Mile general rule)Last Mile rapid funds typically serve students within four semesters of a bachelor's completion or two semesters of an associate or master's program, with financial need documentation. The Microsoft fund focuses on community college credential completion; explain your timeline in the application.
Benefits
- Financial assistance Up to $500 for short-term needs (food, rent, transport, device, etc.)
- Certification exam subsidy Up to $375 toward cybersecurity certification exam costs
- LinkedIn Premium Included for awardees
- GitHub Global Campus Included for awardees
- Global Mentors Initiative Mentorship access included
- Full tuition coverage Not offered; rapid-response amounts only
- Repeat Microsoft Cybersecurity awards Prior recipients of this fund cannot reapply
Document checklist
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✓Last Mile Caravan portal profile and applicationCreate a Caravan profile at lastmile-ed.org/apply, set up your application account from the email link, and complete the common application so you can be matched to the Microsoft Cybersecurity fund.
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✓Current transcript or enrollment proofTwo-year students submit a transcript showing full name, current term, institution, and major or certification program. Bootcamp or cert-only students provide an enrollment agreement with name, date, and program title.
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✓LinkedIn profile with photoLast Mile requires a valid LinkedIn profile that includes a profile picture before reviewers process your file.
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✓Financial need documentationBe ready to show an emergent financial obstacle and general need per Last Mile rules, including tax forms (W-9 or W-8) and SSN or ITIN when requested.
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✓US contact and mailing addressProvide a US-based email and mailing address for award communication and disbursement.
How to apply
Deadline and timeline
FAQ
What is the Microsoft Cybersecurity Scholarship Program?
It is a partnership between Microsoft and Last Mile Education Fund that gives US community college students up to $500 for urgent expenses or up to $375 for cybersecurity certification exams, plus LinkedIn Premium, GitHub Global Campus, and mentor resources.
Who can apply for the Microsoft Cybersecurity Scholarship?
You must be at least 18, enrolled in a US community or technical college in cybersecurity or a related technology major, meet Last Mile financial-need criteria, and never have received this specific Microsoft fund before.
Is the Microsoft Cybersecurity Scholarship only for cybersecurity majors?
Cybersecurity is the focus, but Last Mile also accepts adjacent majors such as information technology, computer science, and data systems when your program supports cyber credential attainment.
How much money does the Microsoft Cybersecurity Scholarship pay?
Awards top out at $500 for short-term basic needs or $375 for certification exam costs. It is not a full-tuition scholarship.
Where do I apply for the Microsoft Cybersecurity Scholarship?
Apply through Last Mile Caravan portal at lastmile-ed.org/apply. One application can match you to every fund you qualify for, including the Microsoft cybersecurity program.
Does the Microsoft Cybersecurity Scholarship have a deadline?
Applications are rolling. Submit when you have a documented need, but apply before your financial obstacle forces you off track in your program.
Can high school dual-enrollment students get the Microsoft Cybersecurity Scholarship?
Dual-enrollment students may attend community college classes, but Last Mile requires applicants to be at least 18 years old to receive any funding.
Can I receive the Microsoft Cybersecurity Scholarship more than once?
No. Students who already received an award from the Microsoft Cybersecurity Scholarship Program cannot apply again for that same fund, though other Last Mile pools may still be available.
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