SIA RISE Scholarships

Young Professionals: What would you do with AN EXTRA $3,000?

RISEThe Security Industry Association (SIA) created the RISE scholarship program to support the education and career development goals of young security professionals just like you.

The RISE scholarship program is open to SIA student members and RISE members who are employees of SIA member companies. The scholarship is intended to expand recipients' professional knowledge in the areas of business, human resources, information technology, marketing/sales, project management, security engineering and risk management.

FAST logoTax-deductible donations can be made through the Foundation for Advancing Security Talent (FAST) and earmarked for the RISE Scholarship.

Through this scholarship program, selected candidates will receive awards for $3,000 each. Scholarship funds can be used toward continuing education, student loan repayment and professional development programs such as training and certifications. This scholarship is a win-win for both you as the applicant and for your employer. (Not part of RISE yet? Learn more here.)​

Application Coming Soon!

Stories From Past Awardees

Natalie Fetsko headshot"[Receiving the RISE Scholarship] has helped [my professional growth] because I am able to have further stress relief to focus on other areas to improve myself in learnings, conferences, etc. I also am able to voice my experience to others in my company."

–Natalie Fetsko, dormakaba

"[This scholarship] has strengthened my commitment to the industry. I felt valued and supported by SIA, which in turn has led me to pursue more volunteer opportunities."

–Hannah Brauer, i-PRO Americas

Olivia Doherty headshot

"[Receiving the RISE Scholarship] has helped me to meet more people, learn more about the industry and receive a certification [SIA's Certified Security Project Manager credential] that has helped me progress in my career."

–Olivia Doherty, Northland Controls

Esteban Pastor headshot

"[Earning the RISE Scholarship] helped show that I was willing to grow, and that was seen by my upper management and has helped them fast-track me to leadership positions."

–Esteban Pastor, ZKTeco USA

Aishwarya Gandhe headshot

"Receiving the scholarship had a significant impact on my professional growth by allowing me to repay my student loan for two postgraduate programs earlier than expected. This lifted a major financial burden and enabled me to focus fully on advancing my career in the security industry, equipping me with the skills and confidence to pursue long-term growth and leadership opportunities."

–Aishwarya Anil Gandhe, Genetec

"Receiving the scholarship allowed me to attend my first AcceleRISE, which created so many opportunities for me to grow my network. Perhaps the most impactful is that I met my mentor at this conference."

–Tristin Vaccaro, Vaccaro Copywriting & Marketing Solutions

"The impact [of receiving the RISE Scholarship] has been massive ... I learned how valuable personal development and furthering education was to my career goals, and the scholarship gave me an easy avenue to pursue my first classes since university. It was also the catalyst for seven years as part of [RISE], which has impacted my career in countless positive ways."

–Erin Grippo, Brivo

Itzel Portillo headshot

"[The RISE Scholarship] has helped me to pursue my master's and [opened] the door for more opportunities in my career. I am so thankful for the scholarship!"

–Itzel Portillo, Allegion

Will Knehr headshot

"My doctorate research focuses on how to help small businesses improve their security posture on a limited budget. I've used this research to try and help improve the security posture of integrators, manufacturers and other industry partners."

–Will Knehr, i-PRO Americas

"[Receiving the RISE Scholarship] has put me in a place where I can be more confident about my financial situation and therefore can take better care of myself, which directly makes me perform better at work."

–Shay Tucker, Allegion

Video: Past Awardee Ashley Means Shares Why You Should Apply for a RISE Scholarship

SCHOLARSHIP BASICS

  • $3,000 scholarships for continuing education, professional development and student loan repayment.
  • Open to SIA student members and RISE members who are employees of SIA member companies worldwide.

How the Scholarship Can Be Used

Recipients may choose to apply the scholarship to any of the following courses or programs:

  • SIA program offerings (e.g., Security Project Management training seminars, Securing New Ground conference, SIA GovSummit conference)
  • Courses/programs/events related to information technology (IT), physical security, or cybersecurity
  • Relevant courses or professional development programs offered by reputable associations, colleges, universities and private education firms related to your role and career in the security industry.
  • Repayment of student loans

​Official Rules and Requirements

A complete application, including all necessary supporting documentation (as described below), must be submitted by the deadline. All application packets will be submitted electronically, without exception. Applications not submitted by the application deadline will not be considered; there will be no exceptions made to this requirement.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Applicants must meet all requirements set forth below to be considered eligible as a scholarship recipient.

  1. Each applicant must be either 1) a SIA student member or 2) a RISE program member and an employee of a SIA member company. (Not a RISE member yet? Start by visiting our RISE information page or emailing Katie Greatti. Unsure if your employer is a SIA member? Check our member directory or contact membership@securityindustry.org.)
  2. Each applicant must have at least 1 year of professional experience in the security industry.
  3. Each applicant must be a full-time employee of a SIA member company or be a SIA student member; have worked for the employer a minimum of six months at the time of the deadline and be in good standing within the employer organization.
  4. Applicants must submit a complete, signed application, together with all supporting documentation, including essays and 1-2 references, by the deadline. The completion of the application form does not create an obligation on the part of SIA to award a scholarship to the applicant.
  5. Current officers, directors and key employees of SIA and the immediate families of SIA officers, directors and key employees are not eligible to receive scholarships under the program.

Application Process

Each applicant must complete the application and include supporting documentation as follows:

  1. The application form, completed with accurate and up-to-date information.
  2. An essay answering the following questions:
    • Please write a personal statement on why you chose to apply for the RISE scholarship, how the money earned would be utilized, and how this scholarship will make a lasting impact on the future of your career in the security industry? (20 points)
    • In what ways have you taken initiative to grow your expertise in the security field outside of formal education or job responsibilities?(20 points)
    • What sort of impact do you hope to make in the next 5-10 years to push the security industry forward?
    • How can organizations create a workplace culture where diverse talent feels welcomed, valued, and motivated to stay?(20 points)
    • If you were to host a podcast, who would be your first guest and what would you talk about? (20 points)
  3. At least one professional reference (preferably two). Please provide the name, title, email address, and phone number for each reference.

Scholarship Selection Committee

The Scholarship Selection Committee (the “Committee”) will consist of volunteers from the SIA RISE committee. Committee members are volunteers and perform their duties without compensation, financial or otherwise. If the Committee is reviewing the application of an applicant who is an employee of the Committee member’s company, or if the Committee member is otherwise conflicted with respect to the applicant, the Committee member shall recuse him or herself from all deliberation and voting regarding the applicant’s application.


​Selection Process

  1. Only those applicants who meet the eligibility criteria and submit their completed applications and supporting documentation on or before the deadline (“qualified applications”) will be considered in the selection process.
  2. It is the applicant’s responsibility to submit a complete and signed application, along with all the supporting documentation, which must be received on or before the deadline. The Committee accepts no responsibility for incomplete applications, applications not in proper form, lost applications or any other submission not in compliance with these requirements or the instructions provided with the application.
  3. The Committee shall review each application and award points based on the applicant grading criteria set forth below. As noted above, a committee member with a conflict with respect to any applicant shall not participate in the review or grading of that applicant’s application and supporting materials.
  4. The scholarship award will be based on the Committee’s scores of the overall quality of the application and the scholarship essays. The five applications receiving the highest scores shall be awarded scholarships. In the case of a tie, the SIA CEO will make the final decision.
  5. Scholarship selection shall be made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other category protected by federal, state or local law. Conversely, an applicant will not be selected solely based on one or more of the categories identified above.
  6. The decision of the Committee is final and not subject to review.

Award Redemption

Each recipient must enroll in the approved course within 12 months of being awarded the scholarship and coordinate with SIA for course fee payment. SIA will reimburse awardees for the course/program enrollment up to the $3,000 value of the scholarship. If the course/program costs more than $3,000, the recipient is responsible for the balance. If the cost of the course/program is less than the $3,000 scholarship award, the recipient will have a credit to use on related professional development within a 12-month period.

The scholarship money covers course entry fees or program attendance fees but will not cover study materials, travel costs or any other items related to the course.

Application Coming Soon!

DONOR PROGRAM

  • Funding of the scholarship program is achieved through contributions by individual members of SIA and member corporate support.
  • Unless specifically designated by a donor, contributions will be made toward the general scholarship fund.

Tax Deductibility Status

The SIA RISE Scholarship is made possible with the generous support of our donors. Your donation to FAST, earmarked for the RISE Scholarship, is tax deductible.

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