Twelve Women in Security Win $10,000 Scholarships
Security industry employees and SIA student members can use the $10,000 awards for courses, conferences, and loan repayment.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Scholarships
The Security Industry Association announced twelve winners of the 2026 SIA Women in Security Forum Scholarship, each receiving $10,000. The scholarship is open to employees of SIA member companies and SIA student members.
Why it matters
The award gives recipients funds that can go toward continuing education, professional development courses, conferences, webinars, or student loan repayment, offering practical support for people building careers in the security industry. The program reported a record number of recipients this year.
Each of the twelve 2026 honorees receives $10,000. Eligibility is limited to employees of SIA member companies and SIA student members, and funds may cover continuing education, professional development, conferences, webinars, SIA program offerings, student loan repayment, or other academic pursuits.
The players
Security Industry Association (SIA)
A trade association for the security industry that administers the Women in Security Forum Scholarship for employees of member companies and student members.
Fairleigh Dickinson University
A private university in New Jersey, home to 2026 scholarship winner Ourania Rahman.
University of Virginia
A public research university in Virginia, home to 2026 scholarship winner Katherine Bergersen.
The details
Winners were chosen by a scholarship committee following an applicant review and evaluation process. Volunteers carried out fundraising efforts that helped make the program possible. Recipients may apply their $10,000 award toward the approved uses listed by the SIA, which range from formal coursework to loan repayment.
Timeline
The 2026 SIA Women in Security Forum Scholarship winners were announced in 2026.
Education Landscape
Industry-specific scholarships tied to professional associations give students and workers a route to funding that sits outside traditional need-based aid. The SIA program's record recipient count points to growing use of employer- and association-linked awards as a complement to rising college costs.
Students and workers in the security industry who are employed by an SIA member company or enrolled as an SIA student member can check whether the program's eligible uses match a planned course, conference, or loan repayment. Questions about how the award would apply to a specific expense are best directed to the SIA or a school's financial-aid office.
The takeaway
Industry-linked scholarships can cover professional development and loan repayment, not only tuition, so workers in a field should check whether their employer or a professional association offers one. Eligibility is tied to membership or employment, so confirm those requirements early.
Further reading
Explore more on Scholarships for other funding options tied to professional fields and associations.
