LOUISA COUNTY, Va. (CBS19 NEWS) -- Louisa County Public Schools will be launching a cybersecurity program in the upcoming school year, thanks to some help from the federal government.

"I think is is going to give an opportunity to many students to go out and really be successful in this field," LCPS Superintendent Doug Straley said.

The school division was one of five national finalists in the U.S. Department of Education's Rural Tech Project. It ultimately received a $100,000 grant to bolster tech education in its schools.

"Everyone needs access to Internet and technology in this day, age and world," said Lisa Chen, the director of virtual learning for LCPS.

Chen said Virginia has thousands of cybersecurity jobs, and that number is only expected to grow. LCPS is making sure no student in the rural district misses out on a job from a lack of technology.

"The divider of equity really has become the access to technology," she said.

The cybersecurity program will include dual enrollment courses and an internship, which will eventually lead to a specialization.

"So when they walk out of here, in a rural place, they'll have the opportunity to compete with other students who have better Internet access already," Chen said.

"We see our mission as to provide the best education in Louisa, and we challenge ourselves to be the best in the state, and we're even daring enough to say we want to be the best rural county in the country," said Greg Strickland, the chairman of the LCPS school board.

In 2023, all five finalists will document the outcomes of their programs, resulting in an opportunity to get an additional $100,000.