SANS Paller Cybersecurity Scholarship User Guide

Paller Cybersecurity Scholarship
Application Guide

Paller Cybersecurity Scholarship

Thank you for your interest in the Paller Cybersecurity Scholarship! We have designed this scholarship to enable talented people, who are not U.S. citizens, from around the world to complete a cybersecurity program at the SANS Technology Institute. The scholarship is open to both seasoned professionals and those interested in transitioning into a career in cyber.
Before starting an application, review this instructional guide.

1. Ensure you meet our eligibility requirements.
   • To be eligible for the Paller Cybersecurity Scholarship, applicants must:
   – Be 18 or older when you start classes
   – Be a native English speaker or able to meet the requirements for nonnative English speakers
   – Meet the admissions requirements for one of our programs
   – Be a non-U.S. citizen who is not currently enrolled in a SANS Technology Institute program.
   – Review the Paller Scholarship website for full details.
   • We offer programs and scholarships for all levels of experience. Applicants can have experience in cybersecurity, be new to the field, or not in a cyber role at all.

2. Consider a program of interest and eligibility.
   • Paller Scholarship applicants will select a program of interest on the application form. Students can choose from the:
   – Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Cybersecurity
   – Undergraduate Certificate in Applied Cybersecurity
   – Job-specific graduate certificate programs
   – Cybersecurity Master’s Degree
   • Explore the curriculum and minimum requirements for each of these programs.
   Applicants need to meet the minimum eligibility for at least one of these programs to be considered.
   • If you are awarded the scholarship, the Admissions Committee will take into consideration your program of interest but will ultimately determine the program to which you are admitted.

3. Begin collecting your application items.
   • The official application and submission of materials will only be open for a specific window of time (that will be posted on the website). However, you can work on the tasks listed below before the application window opens to streamline the application process.
   • Please note that some of the requirements include mandatory fees to third- party organizations and applicants should be prepared to make this financial investment in their education.

You can prepare the items listed below, but please DO NOT SEND these documents to the college before you have started an application and passed the aptitude assessment round.

1. Official transcripts
   a. We require transcripts of all undergraduate work be sent to SANS.edu
   b. All undergraduate transcripts will need to be evaluated by one of our partner companies: WES or IEE. WES or IEE charge for their services.
   c. Applicants should request an official transcript be sent to WES or IEE from their previous school(s) and request WES/IEE complete a course-by-course evaluation.
   d. WES or IEE will send the official evaluation to SANS.edu email at transcripts@sans.edu.

2. English proficiency
   a. All international students need to prove their English proficiency.
   b. We accept 3 different exams: TOEFL, IELTS or Cambridge English Assessment. There is a cost to take one of these exams.
   c. Scores should be sent directly from one of these organizations to transcripts@sans.edu.
   d. See the required score minimums and/or schedule a test on our international student website.
   e. We cannot make exceptions for scores that do not meet our minimum requirement.
   f. Degree Exception: if you have earned a degree from a program that was taught in English, you can request a waiver during the application process on the English Proficiency Form. You will need to send an official transcript from your school to verify your language of instruction.

3. Resume
   a. An up-to-date resume is required. The resume should include your education history, a full work history with dates of employment and details on each role, any industry certifications, and relevant industry CTFs or exposure.
   b. The resume document will be uploaded in the application portal.
   c. We do not require that you have experience in a cybersecurity role to be eligible for one of our (undergraduate) career-transition programs. The resume will provide helpful background to the Admissions Committee for what program(s) you are eligible for.

Once you have these items ready and the application window is open, start an application.

1. Go to the Paller Cybersecurity Scholarship website to find the application link.
   • Choose “Start Paller Scholarship Application” and then either:
   – “No, I don’t have a SANS.org account”
   ▪ If you do not have a SANS.org account, follow the instructions to create an account and access the application. Then return and use the same email to continue with our application.
   – “Yes, I have a SANS.org account”
   ▪ Enter your SANS.org log-in information to begin
   • You will be guided through the application forms, where you’ll provide information regarding your education background, employment status, and general information. Once complete, submit the application form.

2. After you have submitted the application form, you will receive an email with instructions for taking an aptitude assessment.
   • This is an aptitude assessment designed by SANS.org to help determine students’ aptitude for the cybersecurity industry and, specifically, SANS courses and GIAC exams.
   • You will have 7 days to complete the assessment.
   • You will not receive the results of your assessment.
   • If you score well enough, you will be invited to continue the application process and submit the remaining required documents.
   • If you do not score well enough, we will inform you via email that we are not able to continue with your application.
   • We seek the most qualified candidates for our scholarship. It’s possible to achieve a score that qualifies you for a SANS.edu program but not for this scholarship. If this applies to you, we will let you know.

3. After passing the aptitude assessment, we will require some additional documents to determine eligibility and full consideration for the scholarship.
   • Official transcripts
   • Resume
   • English proficiency form and English proficiency scores
   • Identity and Citizenship Verification
   – We verify applicants’ identity and citizenship as part of the review process.
   – Select from a list of eligible options to upload a copy of your identity verification document.
   – For security purposes, we will automatically delete these identity documents 90 days after an application decision has been released.
   • Video Essay
   – The video will be recorded within the application portal.
   – You will have up to 3 attempts to record a version that you deem satisfactory.
   – The video should be 2-5 minutes and should answer the prompt:
   SANS.edu is looking for talented, community-focused individuals who want to make meaningful change and protect organizations, nations, and people through cybersecurity. We are looking for individuals who want to make a difference in the world or their community. What is the difference you want to make?

4. After you submit a complete application form, we will review your application and you will receive a decision within the program timeframe outlined.

References

• UK Cybersecurity Courses & Training: Online & In-Person | SANS Institute
• World Education Services: International Credential Evaluation for U.S.

Read User Manual Online (PDF format)

Download This Manual (PDF format)

Download this manual  >>