CyberCorps® NSF SFS-National Science Foundation’s Scholarship for Service Program

National Science Foundation’s Scholarship for Service Program- http://fics-institute.ece.ufl.edu/nsf-cybercorps-sfs/

The Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, University of Florida, has received a grant from the National Science Foundation for the CyberCorps® Scholarship for Service (SFS) Program. The grant provides monetary support in the form of scholarships, covering full tuition and providing stipends, to domestic students pursuing degrees specializing in cybersecurity-related topics and information assurance. The program requires that students ‘pay-back’ the scholarship with service, that is a commitment to work for a Federal, State, Local or Tribal government organization in the United States for a period equal to the length of the scholarship. The goal of the CyberCorps® program is to recruit, educate, and train a diverse workforce of individuals interested in taking on the task of securing government agencies from cybersecurity and information technology system threats. Students from traditionally underrepresented populations, including women and minority populations, are strongly encouraged to apply. The University of Florida’s (UF) FICS Research Department will work closely with Florida International University (FIU), on the awarded joint grant towards developing an implementing the SURPASS: A Unique Scholarship Program in Hardware and Systems Security.  UF and FIU are uniquely qualified to offer this scholarship program in hardware and systems security (HSS) because of their curricular efforts, strong research programs, faculty strength, as well as unique lab facilities, which will help deliver an exemplary program in the nation. Both universities serve diverse student populations, have strong internationally-recognized hardware and systems security research programs, and extensive curricular offerings in cybersecurity. The UF team is led by FICS Research’s Education Director,  Prof. Swarup Bhunia, and includes fellow FICS Research faculty Diversity Director Prof. Daniela Oliveira, Co-Director  Mark Tehranipoor, and Prof. Kevin Butler. While, the FIU team is led by Prof. Selcuk Uluagac and includes Profs. Kemal Akkaya and Alexander Pons.

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Benefits:

• Fully-covered tuition
• Stipends of up to $34,000 for graduate students and $22,500 for undergraduate students
• Funds for health insurance, professional development and books
• Summer internships, typically paid, with a government organization
• Access to the CyberCorps® Scholarship for Service Job Fair, where scholarship recipients meet Federal or State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial government employment recruiters

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Eligibility Criteria:

Minimum Requirements 

• Must be a U.S Citizen or Lawful Permanent U.S. Resident.  Not dual, not an alien from a country on the state-sponsored terrorism list from the state department.
• Must meet criteria for Federal employment
• Must be able to obtain security clearance, if required
• Demonstration of legitimate interest in, and commitment to, pursuing an Information Assurance or cyber-security-related careers with a government entity after graduation
• Scholarships are awarded on a merit-based basis

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 Obligations

• Be a full-time student
• Maintain a specified grade point average
• Attend the annual job fair/symposium until post graduation commitment is secured
• Complete the degree/program requirements successfully**
• Participate in a summer internship with a local/state/federal agency***
• Work for a local/state/federal agency in qualifying positions, upon completing academic degree requirements. Length of service depends on length of scholarship support—one year of service for one year of support.***

** Although there will be flexibility in meeting individual student interests and goals, there will be a list of required courses a student must take. Contact the program director to discuss your individual requirements.
*** List of Federal Agencies and Federally Funded Research and Development Centers

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Application Process

• Complete online application.
• Letter of Reference (2)
• Resume and/or Curriculum Vitae
• Participate in a Skype interview and/or in-person interview with you prospective advisor, if selected for preliminary review