Invest in Your Future with the Step Up Payment Program
An Interest-free, Graduated Payment Plan to Launch Your Cybersecurity Career
At the SANS Technology Institute, we believe financial barriers shouldn’t stand in the way of a cybersecurity career. The SANS.edu Step Up Payment Program (SUPP) provides a structured, manageable way for U.S. citizens and permanent residents who are employed in any field to pay for their Applied Cybersecurity Certificate (ACS) or Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Cybersecurity (BACS) program — allowing them to focus on gaining the skills and experience needed to thrive in the cybersecurity industry.
How It Works
The SANS.edu Step Up Payment Program is available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents who are admitted to our Applied Cybersecurity Certificate (ACS) or Bachelor’s Degree (BACS) programs and meet eligibility requirements.
- Simple Application Process
- If you’re admitted to the ACS or BACS program and want to be considered for the SUPP, indicate your interest on your application’s Financial Form, and we’ll ask you to provide a credit report and other financial documentation.
- Affordable Monthly Payments
- Pay just $350/month while enrolled in your academic program.
- Once you have exited your program, payments increase to $650/month until tuition is paid off.
- Unlike a traditional loan program, there are no fees or interest.
- Flexible Employment Requirements
- While current employment is required to qualify for the SUPP, your job doesn’t have to be in cybersecurity.
- A Clear Path to Tuition Repayment
- BACS: 24 months in program + 6 years after completion.
- ACS: 18 months in program + 3 years after completion.
An Investment That Pays Off
We know the employment status of 100% of our upper division undergraduates - and the data you see here comes directly from student survey responses and is based on students getting employed specifically in cybersecurity roles.
Take the Next Step
Explore Our Interest-Free Payment Plans
Learn how our Tuition Payment Program and Step Up Payment Program help qualified students invest in their future without taking on traditional student loan debt. This video covers:
- No-interest plans with predictable monthly payments
- Application process
- What to expect if you're approved
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Step Up Payment Program only open to U.S. citizens or permanent residents?
Yes, only U.S. citizens and permanent residents using a U.S. bank account are eligible.
When can I apply to enroll in the Step Up Payment Program?
You can apply for the SUPP after being offered admissions to the Applied Cybersecurity Certificate (ACS) or Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Cybersecurity (BACS) program. The Cybersecurity Fundamentals Certificate program is not eligible for the SUPP.
Will I have to pay interest for the Step Up Payment Program?
There is no interest for this program. You will only pay for courses that you register for and begin.
How do you determine eligibility for the SUPP?
The SUPP is offered to select, highly qualified U.S. students and permanent residents who meet minimum credit threshold and are currently employed. Applicants with no credit history may still be considered, but applicants with an established credit history and score below 650 are unlikely to be approved. To identify students with the greatest potential, the Review Committee considers several factors, including prior academic performance and performance on a proprietary assessment exam that measures your likelihood to excel at cybersecurity.
How are my monthly payments collected?
We will set up automatic monthly withdrawals from the U.S. bank account you provide.
How will my monthly payments be affected if tuition increases while I’m in the program?
Your SUPP account balance may increase based upon tuition increases, and it may decrease based upon waived courses or exiting the program before completion. However, your monthly payments will continue to be $350/month while in the program and $650/month after leaving the program.
Can I opt out of the Step Up Payment Program if I decide to fund my SANS.edu program another way?
Yes. There is no penalty fee for exiting the SUPP if you secure alternative funding. You will have the option to continue monthly payments or pay off the remaining balance in full, and then your SUPP account will be closed.
Can I pay off my balance early?
Yes. You can pay off your remaining balance early without any penalty. Once your balance is paid in full, your SUPP account will be closed.
Can I start the Step Up Payment Plan after I have been in a SANS.edu program for a while, for example if I switch to a job that doesn’t offer employer-sponsored education benefits?
Yes. The SUPP is open to new and existing students.
Can I combine the SUPP with other funding sources like employer tuition assistance or GI Bill®?
No, the SUPP was designed for students who do not have access to other funding sources like employer tuition assistance or GI Bill®. If you exhaust your GI Bill® benefits part-way into the program, you can apply for the SUPP at that time.
Will SANS.edu help me with my job search?
Yes, the SANS.edu Career Center offers professional advice and resources to help students in our Applied Cybersecurity Certificate and bachelor's degree program with each step of the job seeking process. Cybersecurity is the only focus of our Career Center and we draw on SANS's unmatched professional expertise and vast industry network to connect you to opportunities in the field.
What happens if I don't finish the program?
Should a student under SUPP withdraw or be dismissed from the undergraduate program, they will only be responsible for the tuition for the courses in which they registered and started.
Can I use the SUPP for the Applied Cybersecurity Certificate program and then the bachelor's degree program?
Yes, but students who use the SUPP for the Applied Cybersecurity Certificate program must pay the balance owed in full before applying for another SUPP for the bachelor's degree program.
I still have questions.
You can find all the details about the SUPP in the SANS.edu Undergraduate Catalog. You’re also welcome to reach out to the Bursar’s Office at Bursar@sans.edu for further assistance.
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