Computer Science Scholarships for Military & Veterans (2026) | CS, Cyber & STEM Awards

If you serve, served, or love someone who did, this page is your CS $$$ cheat code. We hand-picked legit, military-friendly computer science & cyber scholarships with verified apply links. Skim the “Why it slaps,” snag your fit, and ship that app before the deadline. Let’s secure the bag and the network.

DoD SMART Scholarship-for-Service (Undergrad–PhD)

• 💥 Why it slaps

  • Full tuition + paid summer internships at DoD labs

  • $30k–$46k annual stipend depending on degree level

  • Guaranteed civilian DoD job after graduation

• 💰 Amount: Full tuition + $30k–$46k/yr stipend + allowances

• ⏰ Deadline: Typically opens Aug–Sept; closes Dec–Jan (varies by year)

• 🔗 Apply/info: https://www.smartscholarship.org SMART Scholarship

CyberCorps®: Scholarship-for-Service (SFS) — Cybersecurity Track

• 💥 Why it slaps

  • Up to 3 years of tuition + $27k (UG) / $37k (Grad) annual stipend

  • Federal/state/tribal cybersecurity job placement

  • Extra pro dev $$ and D.C. job fairs

• 💰 Amount: Full tuition + stipend + $6k professional allowance

• ⏰ Deadline: Varies by participating university; many open fall–winter

• 🔗 Apply/info: https://sfs.opm.gov sfs.opm.gov

DoD Cyber Scholarship Program (CySP)

• 💥 Why it slaps

  • Full tuition + fees + stipend for cyber degrees at NCAE-C schools

  • Mentoring + DoD employment/service commitment

  • Multiple tracks (recruitment & retention)

• 💰 Amount: Full tuition & fees; stipend set annually by program

• ⏰ Deadline: Windows vary by campus (often Jan–Mar)

• 🔗 Apply/info: NAVSEA overview + NCAE-C school map

  • https://www.navsea.navy.mil/…/DoD-Cyber-Scholarship-Student-Program/

  • https://maps.caecommunity.org . Naval Sea Systems Command, maps.caecommunity.org

SVA × RTX “SPY-6” Scholarship (U.S. Navy Student Veterans)

• 💥 Why it slaps

  • $10,000 for Navy vets in undergrad/grad

  • Leadership + community impact focus

  • Run by Student Veterans of America (SVA)

• 💰 Amount: $10,000 (2 awards/yr)

• ⏰ Deadline: Feb 10–Mar 24, 2025 (typical cycle; check current)

• 🔗 Apply/info: https://studentveterans.org/programs-events/scholarships/rtx-spy6/ . Student Veterans of America®

SVA × RTX “Patriot” Scholarship (U.S. Army Student Veterans)

• 💥 Why it slaps

  • $10,000 for Army vets; open to a wide range of majors, CS welcomed

  • Values leadership and service

• 💰 Amount: $10,000 (2 awards/yr)

• ⏰ Deadline: Feb 10–Mar 24, 2025 (typical cycle; check current)

• 🔗 Apply/info: https://studentveterans.org/programs-events/scholarships/rtx-patriot/ . Student Veterans of America®

SVA × Northrop Grumman STEM Scholarship (Undergrad)

• 💥 Why it slaps

  • Built for STEM majors (CS counts)

  • Simple award to stack with GI Bill

• 💰 Amount: $2,000 (5 awards/yr)

• ⏰ Deadline: Feb 24–Apr 7, 2025 (typical cycle; check current)

• 🔗 Apply/info: https://studentveterans.org/programs-events/scholarships/northrop-grumman/ . Student Veterans of America®

AFCEA War Veterans Scholarship (Undergrad, STEM/C4ISR fields)

• 💥 Why it slaps

  • Veteran-specific, STEM-leaning

  • National defense networking via AFCEA

• 💰 Amount: Typically up to $2,500

• ⏰ Deadline: Historically fall; confirm current cycle

• 🔗 Apply/info: https://www.afcea.org/war-veterans . AFCEA International

AFCEA ROTC STEM Scholarships (Army/Navy/AFROTC)

• 💥 Why it slaps

  • If you’re in ROTC + CS/STEM, this stacks nicely

  • National tech/defense community access

• 💰 Amount: ~$2,500–$3,000

• ⏰ Deadline: Varies (typically spring)

• 🔗 Apply/info: https://www.afcea.org/afcea-educational-foundation/scholarships . AFCEA International

VA Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship (GI Bill extension for STEM)

• 💥 Why it slaps

  • Up to 9 more months of benefits (max $30,000) for STEM majors like CS

  • Specifically designed for vets running low on Post-9/11 GI Bill

• 💰 Amount: Up to $30,000 (benefit extension)

• ⏰ Deadline: Rolling (apply as soon as you’re eligible)

• 🔗 Apply/info: https://www.va.gov/education/other-va-education-benefits/stem-scholarship/ . Veterans Affairs

American Legion Legacy Scholarship (Children of Fallen/Disabled, post-9/11)

• 💥 Why it slaps

  • Fills tuition gaps after other aid

  • Renewable multiple years if eligible

• 💰 Amount: Up to $20,000 (fallen) / up to $5,000 (disabled)

• ⏰ Deadline: Opens each January (check portal)

• 🔗 Apply/info: https://www.legion.org/get-involved/scholarships/the-american-legion-legacy-scholarship . The American Legion

Fisher House — Scholarships for Military Children

• 💥 Why it slaps

  • Wide reach via commissaries; straightforward award

  • Works with tons of schools and majors (incl. CS)

• 💰 Amount: Typically $2,000

• ⏰ Deadline: Usually Dec–Feb window each year

• 🔗 Apply/info: https://www.fisherhouse.org/programs/scholarship-programs/scholarships-for-military-children/ . fisherhouse.org

Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) — Education Assistance (Dependents)

• 💥 Why it slaps

  • Grants + interest-free loans for eligible Navy/USMC families

  • Annual cycle synced to FAFSA

• 💰 Amount: Varies by need/program

• ⏰ Deadline: For 2025–26 cycle: Mar 10–May 15, 2025 (example timeline)

• 🔗 Apply/info: https://nmcrs.scholarshipapps.org/ . NMCRS (en-US)

MyCAA (Military Spouse) — Career Training & A.A. Paths

• 💥 Why it slaps

  • Up to $4,000 for eligible spouses in “portable” careers

  • Can fund IT certificates/associate pathways that pair well with CS pipelines

• 💰 Amount: Up to $4,000 (caps apply)

• ⏰ Deadline: Rolling; depends on spouse eligibility & program

• 🔗 Apply/info: https://mycaa.militaryonesource.mil/mycaa/ . mycaa.militaryonesource.mil

Heads-up: Dates/amounts can shift each cycle—always confirm the current year on the official page.

Helpful Resources (bookmark these) 🔖

• GI Bill® & VA Education Hub: compare benefits, Yellow Ribbon search, rates, apply. https://www.va.gov/education/ . Veterans Affairs

• Yellow Ribbon Program explainer + school finder: https://www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/post-9-11/yellow-ribbon-program/ & https://www.va.gov/education/yellow-ribbon-participating-schools/ . Veterans Affairs

• CAE-C (NCAE) School Map (find CySP/SFS-active campuses): https://maps.caecommunity.org . maps.caecommunity.org

• Army/Navy/Air Force ROTC scholarships (if you’re commissioning + CS):

  • Army: https://armyrotc.army.mil/scholarships/ . Army ROTC

  • Navy/Marine: https://www.netc.navy.mil/NSTC/NROTC/ . NETC

  • Air Force: https://www.afrotc.com/scholarships/ . AFROTC

• SVA Scholarships hub: rotating partner awards (RTX, Northrop, etc.). https://studentveterans.org/programs-events/scholarships/ . Student Veterans of America®

FAQs (Military + CS) ❓

Q1) I’m a veteran majoring in computer science. What’s my best “full ride” shot?
Look first at SMART (DoD) and SFS (CyberCorps). SMART covers full tuition + a $30k–$46k stipend and a civilian DoD job; SFS covers up to 3 years plus a stipend and federal/state placement in cybersecurity. Both require a post-grad service commitment. SMART Scholarship+1, sfs.opm.gov

Q2) What’s the difference between SFS and DoD CySP?
SFS is an NSF/DHS program run via OPM that places you in government cyber roles (federal/state/tribal). CySP is a DoD program for students at CAE-C schools with DoD placement; it’s explicitly tied to DoD workforce needs. Many campuses post separate deadlines. sfs.opm.gov, Naval Sea Systems Command, maps.caecommunity.org

Q3) I’m close to maxing my Post-9/11 GI Bill. Anything for STEM?
Yes — the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship can extend benefits (up to 9 months/$30k) for approved STEM fields like computer science. Apply via VA. Veterans Affairs

Q4) I’m a Navy vet in CS—any niche scholarships?
Check SVA × RTX SPY-6 ($10k; Navy vets only). Army vets: SVA × RTX Patriot ($10k). Also scan SVA’s hub each spring for new partner awards. Student Veterans of America®

Q5) Do dependents and spouses have CS-eligible awards too?
Yes. Fisher House “Scholarships for Military Children” ($2k) and American Legion Legacy (up to $20k/$5k) are major-agnostic; MyCAA gives eligible spouses up to $4k for certificates/associate programs tied to portable careers (useful for IT pathways). fisherhouse.org, The American Legion, mycaa.militaryonesource.mil

Q6) Are ROTC scholarships good for CS majors?
Absolutely. Army/Navy/Air Force ROTC can cover full tuition plus monthly stipends; CS is commonly approved. You’ll commission after graduation. Army ROTC, AFROTC, NETC