SCHOLARSHIP FOR SERVICE

The need for Cybersecurity professionals

Cyberspace has emerged as a critical domain of global competition that reaches across social, economic, political and military realms of influence. The growth of the Internet and its infusion into nearly every aspect of our life presents a target opportunity for adversaries. It is essential to develop new operational doctrines, cyberwarfare capabilities, and the necessary human capital needed to maintain our interests in cyberspace. Meeting these challenges requires developing qualified professionals who understand this environment and its opportunities or risks. The Computer Science Department at FSU as an NSA/DHS Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) and Research (CAE-R) stands ready to help build the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.

CyberCorps@Scholarship For Service (SFS)

Focused on Cybersecurity education, the SFS program gives students scholarship funds in exchange for service in the federal government for a period equivalent to the length of their scholarship (up to three years, minimum one year). As a result of the SFS program, federal agencies are able to select from a highly qualified pool of student applicants for internships and permanent positions, and students get a guaranteed job. The SFS program is offered by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and co-sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

The Scholarship for Service program

The NSF has awarded the Florida State University Cybersecurity program funding for 32 CyberScholars for the period 2022-2028. Scholarship recipients shall pursue academic programs in:

Computer Science
Cybersecurity
Cyber Criminology and
Computer and Network Administration

Cyberscholars will participate as a cohort during their studies and activities, including a summer internship in a federal agency at the end of their first year of support. They will become part of the Federal CyberCorps whose responsibility is to ensure the protection of the United States Government’s information infrastructure. Upon graduation, they will be required to work for a federal executive branch agency for as long as they were funded (minimum one year) in fulfillment of their Federal Cyber Service commitment. The program at FSU will fund the final:

Two years of a master's-level program
Three years of study where the student is receiving both the bachelor's and master's degree
Three years in combined bachelor's and master's degree ("five year") programs
Three years of research-based doctoral-level study.

During the scholarship period, the students will participate in meaningful summer internships but doctoral students may be allowed to replace their summer internship with a research activity. In return for their scholarships, recipients will work after graduation for a federal executive branch agency in a position related to cybersecurity for a period equal to the length of the scholarship (minimum one year).

Program Benefits

Stipend: $27,000 per year for undergraduate students; $37,000 per year for master's degree students and $37,000 per year for doctoral students.
Full tuition and education related fees.
Professional development allowance (required D.C. job fairs, travel, books, softerware license, professional certification etc. up to $6000 per year) and a one-time purchase of a laptop.
Government summer internships and job opportunities with the world’s leading security organization.

Eligibility Requirements

You must be a citizen or a lawful permanent resident of the United States.
You must be eligible to begin the senior undergraduate year with major in Computer Science, or an MS degree program in Computer Science.
You must be a full time student within three years of graduation at Florida State University with an MS degree in Computer Science.
Successful applicants will demonstrate in the application process academic merit as well as indicators of future professional success.
You must meet selection criteria for federal employment (you may be required to undergo a background investigation).

Eligibility Criteria

The scholarships are awarded on a merit basis.

Obligations

SFS students are expected to participate actively with OPM to secure both a summer internship and permanent placement in the executive branch of the federal government.

Internships: should be at least 10 weeks long, when possible.
Placement: after graduation, SFS students should work for a period equal to the duration of the scholarship (2 (resp. 3) calendar years if funded for 2 (resp. 3) academic years, and 1 calendar year if funded for 1 academic year or less) in the cybersecurity mission of: a Federal Executive Branch Agency.

NSF publications for SFS

Federal Executive and Non-Executive Agencies

How & When to Apply

Important: Participating in this program obliges you to a period of service in the federal government. For details check SFS Frequently Asked Questions.

Each applicant should provide the following:

Letter expressing interest in the NSF Cyber Training Scholarship program that includes a statement that indicates an understanding of the two year degree seeking nature of the program and of the two year commitment to the federal government after graduation
Transcripts of all college work
Standardized test scores (SAT, GRE)
Statement of purpose and description of goals in your computer science MS degree program and in the field of computer security and information assurance
Recommendation letters from at least two faculty members or employment managers familiar with the student’s background
Official acceptance into Florida State University
Current personal Resumé

Criteria for Selection

The criteria used to classify and rank applicants are:

Cumulative Undergraduate/Graduate GPA
Major Undergraduate/Graduate GPA
Academic record (course content)
Standardized test scores
Evaluation of the student’s statement of purpose.
Two (2) Letters of Reference from current/former faculty members or current/former supervisors
Demonstrated leadership, participation in team activities, prior social service, and/or evidence of creative and independent thinking and/or acting
Knowledge of the techniques of the information technology and/or information security (assurance) discipline, including encryption, access control, physical security, training, threat analysis, and authentication
Knowledge of the human factors in the information technology and/or information security (assurance), including human computer interaction, design, training, sabotage, human error prevention and identification, personal use policies, and monitoring
Ability to identify and analyze problems, distinguish between relevant and irrelevant information to make logical decisions, and provide solutions to individual and organizational problems
Ability to consider and respond appropriately to the needs, feelings, and capabilities of different people in different situations; is tactful, compassionate and sensitive, and treats others with respect
Ability to make clear and convincing oral presentations to individuals or groups; listens effectively and clarifies information as needed, facilitates an open exchange of ideas and fosters an atmosphere of open communication
Ability to express facts and ideas in writing in a clear, convincing and organized manner appropriate to the audience and occasion

Approved Federal Executive and Non-Executive agencies

List of Federal Executive Branch Agencies, with whom SFS participants may secure employment in order to meet internship and/or post-graduate commitments.

More Information

Contact:

An-I Andy Wang

Principal Investigator

269 James J. Love Building

Florida State University

Tallahassee

FL

32306-4530

email: awang [ at cs dot fsu dot edu ]