DoD-CySP 2024-2025

The Department of Defense is seeking rising junior and senior (third and fourth year) undergraduate and graduate/doctoral students who are interested in full-ride scholarships for concentrated studies in cybersecurity. Students selected for the program will receive full scholarships. This requires the student to agree to serve one year of service to the DoD, upon graduation, for each year of scholarship received, in addition to the internship identified below.

Eligibility requirements

• 18 years of age or older and a citizen of the United States at the time of application.
• Enrolled (or accepted for enrollment) in one of the identified NCAE-C colleges or universities, or enrolled (or accepted for enrollment) at an institution selected by a NCAE-C as a collaborative partner.
• You must have completed (by Aug 2025) the first year of an associate's degree; or the first two years of an undergraduate degree program; or a bachelor's degree, or a master's degree.

   DoD Cyber Scholarship Program (CySP) requirements

• Students must attend classes full-time.
• Students selected as DoD CySP Scholars will receive the full cost of tuition, books (from the institution/degree specific required book list, not books which are optional for the class), required fees (including institutionally provided health care), a one-time laptop/computer purchase, travel support to attend a cyber-related conference, and a stipend to cover room and board.
• The stipend levels are $29,000 for undergraduate students and $34,000 for graduate (Master's/PhD) students.
• Disabled students may receive additional allowances.
• There are no allowances for dependents.
• Scholarships require the student to agree to serve one year of service to the DoD, upon graduation, for each year or partial year of scholarship received, in addition to the internship identified below.
• During breaks in their academic studies, DoD CySP Scholars will receive progressive, hands-on experience through internships with their selecting DoD Agency.
• In return, scholars must agree to some restrictions and obligations regarding curriculum, GPA, and pre- and post- program employment.
• If all conditions are met, DoD CySP Scholars will receive full-time conditional/permanent positions in Components of the DoD upon program completion.

Flyer for the DoD Cybersecurity Scholarship Program (CySP-2024) .

Scholarship Benefits

• Students selected in the Cyber Scholarship Program (CySP) will receive the full cost of tuition, books, required fees (including institutionally provided health care), and a stipend to cover room and board. The stipend levels are $29,000 for undergraduate students and $34,000 for graduate (Master's/PhD) students.
• Additional years of scholarship awards are dependent upon satisfactory academic progress, internship performance, if applicable, and the availability of funds.
• Returning students will be given first priority over new students to the program as long as they continue to meet the CySP requirements and appropriate funding is available.
• Scholarship recipients who successfully complete the terms of an initial one or two year scholarship (for example, complete an undergraduate degree), may apply for a second scholarship of up to three years for completing an advanced degree, if the sponsoring agency agrees. When funding allows, students may be provided funding to attend one cybersecurity related conference - USA-based only. No foreign travel authorized.

Note: This scholarship is only available to U.S. citizens!

How & When to Apply

Each new applicant should apply through the New Online Application tool . Your application and all materials must be submitted by 2/1/2024. You will need:

• A Transcript (unofficial will do, we shall send the Official one) of all your college work.
• Statement of purpose and description of goals in the field of computer and cyber security.
• Recommendation letters from at least two faculty members or employment managers familiar with your background.
• Official acceptance into Florida State University.

For more information, or to submit your application please contact either one of:

• Dr Xiuwen Liu
  Rm. 166 James J. Love Building
  Florida State University
  Tallahassee
  FL
  32306-4530
  liu@cs.fsu.edu
• 
  
  Dr Mike Burmester
  Rm. 268 James J. Love Building
  Florida State University
  Tallahassee
  FL
  32306-4530
  burmester@cs.fsu.edu