Stokes Educational Scholarship Program

National Security Agency; Fort Meade (MD); On-site; USD 32,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

The National Security Agency (NSA) is accepting applications nationwide for the Stokes Educational Scholarship Program in Language. This tuition assistance program targets high school seniors pursuing Chinese or Farsi language studies, offering up to $30,000 per academic year toward tuition and fees and summer work at NSA.

Selected participants attend college full-time at an accredited U.S. institution and work at NSA for a minimum of 12 weeks each summer in language-focused assignments.

Qualifications

• Basic Requirements for High School Seniors: U.S. citizenship required.
• GPA of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale preferred.
• Demonstrated aptitude for learning foreign languages.
• HS transcripts show at least three years of coursework in a world language (Chinese or Farsi).
• If available, submit evidence of Seal of Biliteracy, ACTFL scores, NEWL scores or other language assessments.

Responsibilities

• Attend college full-time at an accredited U.S. institution.
• Work at NSA for a minimum of 12 weeks each summer in language-related assignments.
• After graduation, work in a foreign language position related to Chinese or Farsi for a period equal to 1.5× scholarship length.
• If you leave NSA, you repay tuition/fees received through the program.

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

GPA 3.0+ (HS)

Job description

NSA has received approval from the Department of War to hire for specific critical positions during the hiring freeze, per DoW memorandum 'Immediate Civilian Hiring Freeze for Alignment with National Defense Priorities' dated 28 February.

Job Description

Stokes Educational Scholarship Program - Language (Maryland)

Fort George G. Meade Complex, MD
Pay Plan: GG , Grade: 02/1 to 02/10
Open: 2026-09-01, Close: 2026-09-30

Job Posting: 1261785

Responsibilities

As a participant in the Stokes Educational Scholarship Program ' Language, you will attend college full-time at an accredited institution of your choice within the United States and work at NSA for a minimum of 12 weeks each summer in assignments related to your course of study in Chinese or Farsi language. In return, selected participants are required to work at NSA after college graduation in a foreign language position related to Chinese or Farsi for a period equal to one and one-half times the length of their scholarship support. Participants who leave NSA employment before fulfilling this service commitment will be required to repay the government for tuition and mandatory educational fees received through the program. Students accepted into the program must maintain: A minimum 2.75 GPA on a 4.0 scale during the freshman year A minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale each semester/quarter after the freshman year

Job Summary

The National Security Agency (NSA) is currently accepting applications nationwide for the Stokes Educational Scholarship Program ' Language. This tuition assistance program is designed for high school seniors who plan to pursue Chinese or Farsi language studies as part of their college degree program. This program offers an exceptional opportunity to gain valuable experience in foreign language-related work across the Agency while earning an annual salary. Selected participants may receive up to $30,000 per academic year toward tuition and mandatory educational fees. Students whose school is located more than 75 miles from NSA may also be eligible for housing and travel benefits during summer employment at NSA. As a participant in the Stokes Educational Scholarship Program ' Language, you will attend college full-time at an accredited institution of your choice within the United States and work at NSA for a minimum of 12 weeks each summer in assignments related to your course of study in Chinese or Farsi language.

Qualifications

Please note that eligibility requirements may change from year to year. Basic qualifications are listed below. Important:' Applicants who have a full college scholarship are not eligible for the Stokes Program.' Students who are dually enrolled and will earn an AA degree are also not eligible for this program. Those students are encouraged to apply to the Cooperative Ad or the Summer Internship Ad instead. Basic Requirements for High School Seniors Applicants must meet the following criteria:' U.S. citizenship' Preferred GPA of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale' Demonstrated aptitude for learning foreign languages' High school transcripts must reflect a minimum of three years of coursework in a world language (Chinese or Farsi)If available, applicants may also submit evidence of any of the following:' Seal of Biliteracy, as recognized by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL)' Scores from ACTFL' Scores from the National Examinations in World Languages (NEWL)' Results from other relevant language assessments

$35,749 annually (GG 2, Step 1)

Additional Information

All positions at the National Security Agency are in the excepted service. U.S. citizenship is required for all applicants. A security clearance must be granted prior to employment, and applicants must successfully complete extensive pre-employment processing. This includes: Aptitude testing An interview with a psychologist A security interview conducted with the aid of a polygraph A personnel interview A background investigation Reasonable accommodations are provided, where appropriate, to applicants with disabilities during the application and hiring process. NSA is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all 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. Apply soonest, as job postings can close earlier than stated end dates due to changes in requirements. It is important to review and note the minimum qualifications, as only those applicants who meet the required qualifications will be contacted to continue the employment process. Please populate the resume tool to showcase any relevant work experience and education related to the position and answer any applicable screening questions. Information collected will be used to determine eligibility, and failure to provide accurate information may result in disqualification for this position. A confirmation email will be sent after submission of the first application and also after any future updates to submitted applications. Due to time sensitive communications regarding applications, please ensure your spam filters are configured to accept email from [e-mail]. For job vacancies that include stated testing requirements, also include the following: @uwe.nsa.gov, @nsa.gov, and @pearson.com. U.S. Citizenship is required for all applicants. 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. NSA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants with disabilities during the application and hiring process. The following four narrative questions provide an opportunity for you to highlight your dedication to public service for the hiring manager and agency leadership (or designee(s)). While your responses are not required and will not be scored, we encourage you to thoughtfully address each question. Please provide a response of 200 words or less to each question. You will be asked to certify that you are using your own words and did not use a consultant or artificial intelligence (AI) such as a large language model (LLM) like ChatGPT or Copilot. (Please attach in application) 1. How has your commitment to the Constitution and the founding principles of the United States inspired you to pursue this role within the Federal government? Provide a concrete example from professional, academic, or personal experience. 2. In this role, how would you use your skills and experience to improve government efficiency and effectiveness? Provide specific examples where you improved processes, reduced costs, or improved outcomes. 3. How would you help advance the President's Executive Orders and policy priorities in this role? Identify one or two relevant Executive Orders or policy initiatives that are significant to you, and explain how you would help implement them if hired. 4. How has a strong work ethic contributed to your professional, academic or personal achievements? Provide one or two specific examples, and explain how those qualities would enable you to serve effectively in this position.

DCIPS Disclaimer

**VETERANS AND TRANSITIONING SERVICE MEMBERS**Thank you for your service! The National Security Agency (NSA) is part of the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS). All positions at NSA are in the Excepted Service under Title 10, United States Codes (U.S.C.), Section 1601 appointment authority. Veterans' PreferenceIn accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005, "DoD Civilian Personnel Management System: Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System Employment and Placement," NSA applies veterans' preference, as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5, U.S.C., to eligible candidates. If you are claiming veterans' preference, you are required to provide acceptable documentation of your preference eligibility upon application.Acceptable documentation includes:

• DD-214: "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," which shows dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions (Copy 4)
• OR- Certification of Service:A written document on letterhead from the appropriate branch of the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is signed. The certification should include the military service dates, including the expected discharge or release date
• AND- Standard Form 15 (SF-15)Application for 10-point Veteran Preference (http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf15.pdf)
• If you are claiming a service-connected disability of 30 percent or more, the documentation you provide must specifically demonstrate this level of disability; AND- VA Letter of Disability (for 10pt and Sole Survivorship rating)You may obtain a letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs reflecting your level of disability for preference eligibility by visiting a VA Regional Office, contacting a VA call center, or online (https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/)

Failure to provide sufficient documentation of veterans' preference eligibility may preclude NSA from identifying you as a preference eligible candidate during the hiring selection process.