NSF CyberCorps® Scholarship for Service (SFS)

The federal CyberCorps® Scholarship for Service (SFS) Program, sponsored by the National Science Foundation, is a unique program designed to recruit and train the next generation of cybersecurity professionals to meet the needs of the cybersecurity mission for Federal, State, local, and tribal governments.

The SFS program provides scholarships for up to 3 years of support for cybersecurity undergraduate and graduate (MS or PhD) education, among other incredible benefits available to student scholars.

The INSPIRE Center at Georgia State University is a proud participant in the CyberCorps^®: Scholarship for Service (SFS) program. This program will support undergraduate and graduate students through interaction with government and industry partners, involvement in research, and participation in outreach activities. The SFS scholars will be paired with a faculty member for mentorship opportunities and collaborating on research.

Applications for Fall 2023 are due on February 28, 2023. See the Application Information section for details. Be sure to read the rest of this page for important additional information.

Scholarship Benefits

• Up to three years of support for undergraduate and graduate education.
• Stipends of $25,000 per academic year for undergraduate students and $34,000 per year for graduate students.
• Tuition and education-related fees (excluding meal plans, housing, and parking).
• Professional allowance of $6,000 per academic year for the job fair and other travel, and professional development.
• Access to the CyberCorps® Scholarship for Service Job Fair, where scholarship recipients meet Federal or State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial government employment recruiters.
• Summer internships, typically paid, with a government organization.
• Receive hands-on experience in a post-graduation government service requirement for a period of time equivalent to the scholarship.

Eligibility

Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• United States citizen or permanent legal resident
• Full-time student at GSU or applying to a degree program at GSU and intend to have coursework and/or research emphasizing the areas of Cybersecurity
• Able to pass federal government job screening requirements and background check
• Minimum 3.2 cumulative GPA for undergraduate students
• Minimum 3.3 cumulative GPA for graduate students

SFS Scholar Obligations and Employment Opportunities

Recipients of the scholarship are expected to meet the following requirements:

• Maintain full-time student status at GSU without pursuing or holding any outside employment
• Concentrate in an area of study related to Cybersecurity
• Maintain compatibility with federal agency requirements (e.g., no drugs, felonies, etc.)
• Participate in required events within the program (e.g., job fairs, professional development, etc.)
• Gain an internship at a government agency during the summer
• After graduation, secure a full-time job in federal, state, local, or tribal government for a period of time commensurate with the number of years the scholarship is awarded

Students can apply for any position that includes duties in Cybersecurity at a Federal, State, Local or Tribal Government organization, Independent Agency, Government Corporation, Commission, or Quasi-Official Agency. Positions may be secured to meet obligations at a National Laboratory, a Federally Funded Research Development Center, or other approved organization on a limited basis. If students are unsure as to whether a particular position meets program requirements, they should contact the SFS Program Office at sfs@opm.gov for verification.

Application Information

We are recruiting now for students who will begin their junior or senior year of undergraduate education, or graduate school in Fall 2022. To apply for the scholarship, please submit the following materials:

• Completed the application form [will open on February 1, 2023].
• Personal statement (see instructions on the application form)
• Official transcripts from all previous post-secondary schools other than GSU (should be emailed).
• Resume or curriculum vitae highlighting any education and work experience relevant to cybersecurity. You can use this resume template (should be emailed).
• Three (3) letters of recommendation highlighting technical and scholarly skills and experience (should be emailed).

Applications should be submitted by the applicant. Recommendation letters should be emailed by the recommenders.

Contact Information

For more information about this scholarship program, please contact the INSPIRE Center (ccsfs@gsu.edu) or attend one of the Q&A sessions which will be scheduled at GSU throughout the semester.

You are also encouraged to visit the CyberCorps^®: Scholarship For Service official website, hosted by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.