CyberCorps®: Defending America's Cyberspace logo.

NSF logo.

 

What's New?

Last updated on October 10, 2024.

1. The last SFS cohort successfully began their program in Fall 2024. We are currently in the process of renewing our SFS grant. Please check back in Fall 2025 for updates on future opportunities.

2. Twenty students have been enrolled in the CyberCorps program, actively participating in DEFCON, GrrCon, NCL, and numerous other cybersecurity conferences, competitions, and events. All expenses for these activities have been fully funded by the CyberCorps scholarship.

3. If you have any questions, please 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.

Typically, students pursuing a bachelor's degree are eligible for two years of CyberCorps support, while those enrolled in a master's program may qualify for a third year of support. Below are some recommendations to help you select the right track.

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 your academic performance and potential for success. The other should be able to address your character and work ethic. Do not list professors from the CyberCorps project team as your reference providers (refer to the names listed in the Contact Us section), as they will serve on the candidate selection committee. Furthermore, submission of reference letters is not necessary at the time of applying. Once students are shortlisted, their reference providers will be contacted.

Submit a CyberCorps Application


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. 

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. The project coordinator is Ms. Minnan Fei.

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