CyberCorps Scholarship for Service (SFS)

About SFS@UMassD

The National Science Foundation (NSF) funds a Scholarship For Service (SFS) program at UMassD, which focuses on supporting the next generation of information technology professionals, industrial control system security professionals, security managers, and other professions focusing on meeting the needs of the cyber mission. This program awards full scholarships (including tuition, fees, and a monthly stipend) for up to 3 years to undergraduate and graduate students whose studies focus on cybersecurity. In return for their funding, recipients must work for the U.S. Government in a position related to cybersecurity, post-graduation. Their period of required service is equal to the length of the received scholarship.

 

NSF logo

Program Details

Students funded under the program receive the following benefits (while grant funds are available):

  • Full-tuition scholarship (1-3 years depending on the degree program)
  • Annual stipend (for living expenses): $37,000 for graduate students and $27,000 for undergrad students
  • Additional annual funds to reimburse textbooks and professional development (including laptop, equipment for research/project, certifications/trainings, and professional travel), up to $6,000
  • Participation in a targeted job fair and other professional development events for SFS scholars

Obligations

Students funded under this program incur the following obligations:

  • Complete a degree program through a plan of study with a significant focus on security
  • Search for and complete security-related government internships during the summers while funded under the program
  • Search for and complete employment with the government immediately following graduation -- the period of employment must equal the duration of the scholarship
  • Participate in conferences, job fairs, and meetings related to the SFS program

Eligibility

To be eligible for consideration for the SFS scholarship at UMass Dartmouth, the student must meet all of the following:

  • a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident
  • a rising full-time senior undergraduate student, or a graduate full-time student, at UMass Dartmouth (prospective students must have applied separately for admission to Computer Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering, or Data Science)
  • pursuing a plan of study with significant security content in their host department (Refer to SFS curriculum in CIS, ECE)
  • able to show strong evidence of their ability to obtain a Security Clearance

Evaluation criteria include (but are not limited to) academic qualifications (such as GPA), demonstrated interest in cybersecurity, and eligibility for a U.S. security clearance (required for post-scholarship employment).

 

How To Apply

Priority consideration will be provided to those who complete the application before 15 March 2024. Applications will be reviewed as they are received. There is no guarantee that spaces will be available by or after the priority deadline. Applications will not be accepted after the final deadline of 29 April 2024.

A complete application requires the following:

  • A resume, including work experience, key skills, honors, and awards.
  • Contact information for one reference by a faculty member or individual who can speak to the applicants background and preparation to succeed in the field of cybersecurity
  • A statement (no more than 600 words) describing your experience and interests around cybersecurity, your broader career goals, aspects of government work that do (and do not) interest you, and why you are applying for this scholarship.
  • A diversity statement (no more than 300 words), describing your contributions to the promotion of diversity, equity and inclusion in STEM fields, and personal experiences as they relate to diversity, equity and inclusion.
  • The following documents must be read, completed, and signed:
    • Code of Conduct Release form
    • Obligation Acknowledgment form
    • SFS Service Agreement (signed upon acceptance)

Instructions for UMass Dartmouth students

  • Download and complete the following forms:
  • Go to the Corsair Scholarship Portal
  • Click "Apply Now" under the Students login option
  • Look for the application "NSF CyberCorps Scholarship for Service (SFS) Scholarship Application"
  • Click "Start Application"
  • Upload the downloaded forms to their respective entry
  • Complete the application and submit

Instructions for external applicants