CyberCorps®: Scholarship for Service (SFS) Program

NSF

 

What's New?

Last updated on Sept. 13, 2023.

1. The deadline for the 2023 CyberCorps cohort applications has already passed. The next application cycle is expected to be around Feb. / Mar. 2024. 

2. Click here to view the ppt for a CyberCorps info session

3. There are fifteen students currently enrolled in the CyberCorps program. The cohort attended DEFCON, GrrCon, NCL, and many other cybersecurity conferences, competitions, and events. All costs were covered by the CyberCorps scholarship.

4. If you have any questions, contact us at: sfs@mtu.edu

What is CyberCorps: Scholarship for Service (SFS)?

CyberCorps® Scholarship for Service (SFS) is a unique national program designed to recruit and train the next generation of information technology professionals, industrial control system security professionals, and security managers to meet the needs of the cybersecurity mission for Federal, State, local, and tribal governments. This program provides full scholarships for two or three years of support for cybersecurity undergraduate and graduate education. In return for their scholarships, recipients must agree to work after graduation for the U.S. Government, in a position related to cybersecurity, for a period equal to the length of the scholarship.

Michigan Technological University is a proud participant in the CyberCorps®: Scholarship for Service (SFS) program through a multi-million dollar grant awarded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) in 2021. The CyberCorps program at Michigan Tech utilizes a multi-disciplinary curriculum model by focusing on cross-cutting cybersecurity education and research areas. The program collaborates with the Pavlis Honors College (PHC) at Michigan Tech to explore a unique strategy for mentoring, advising, and engaging CyberCorps scholars based on a combination of faculty mentoring, peer mentoring, and customized honors pathways.

Eligibility for Scholarship

To be eligible for consideration for the CyberCorps scholarship, the student must meet ALL of the following:

CyberCorps Curriculum Tracks

The Michigan Tech CyberCorps program provides scholarship opportunities with the following flexible tracks. If you are not sure about different options, contact the project PI (Prof. Yu Cai, cai@mtu.edu) to discuss your study plan.

Since the CyberCorps program will only provide two to three years of financial support, the program is mainly intended for 2nd, 3rd, and 4th year undergraduate students at Michigan Tech. Here are some recommendations for selecting among various tracks.

Scholarship Application

Application Materials

A complete CyberCorps application must include the following items:

  1. Proof of U.S. Citizenship or lawful permanent resident status
  2. A resume including a list of academic recognitions, awards, honors and distinctions received
  3. Transcripts from all of the colleges and universities attended (unofficial copies are ok) 
  4. A short essay (no more than 2000 words) OR a short video (no more than 15 minutes) describing the applicant's:
    1. goals and motivations to pursue a career in cybersecurity
    2. commitment to the service obligation and understanding of government jobs
    3. past achievements and experiences related to cybersecurity
    4. leadership, teamwork, and communication skills
  5. Names and contact information of two reference providers.  One should be able to address the applicant's academic performance and potential for success. The other should be able to address the applicant's character and work ethic.  

Submit a CyberCorps Application (Closed)

Application Deadline: March 15, 2023

Scholarship opportunities are limited, early application is strongly recommended.

Candidate Selection

This CyberCorps scholarship opportunity at Michigan Tech is a highly selective process and subject to grant funding availability. After initial assessment based on submitted application materials, a shortlist will be generated for in-person interviews. CyberCorps candidates in the shortlist will also be asked to complete a questionnaire for background check.

Underrepresented groups, including women, minorities, first-generation / low-income students, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Contact Us

The project PI is Professor Yu Cai from the College of Computing at Michigan Tech. The project coordinator is Mr. Thomas Cogswell.

Project co-PIs and other important personnel include Professor Jean Mayo, Professor Todd O. Arney, Professor Bo Chen, Professor Chee-Wooi Ten, Professor Kedmon N. Hungwe, and Mr. Chris Hohnholt

If you have questions or comments, contact us at: sfs@mtu.edu