Scholarship Opportunities

Stevens' CyberCorps® Scholarship For Service (SFS) is a unique program designed to increase and strengthen the cadre of information assurance professionals that protect the government's critical information infrastructure. The SFS program provides funding for colleges and universities to offer generous cybersecurity scholarships to students, in exchange for service in the government.

Today, there are more than 70 SFS programs across the nation. The Stevens' CyberCorps® SFS program awarded its first scholarships in 2008. Graduates from the Stevens' CyberCorps® SFS have pursued internship and final placements in various government agencies and labs, including the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Federal Reserve Bank, Sandia National Labs, MIT Lincoln Labs, and the National Security Agency.

The Stevens' CyberCorps® SFS program awards scholarships for up to three years (on the bachelor and master levels) covering full tuition and providing a stipend. The scholarships are funded through a grant awarded by the National Science Foundation.

Stevens Specific Program Activities

Each semester, CyberCorps® SFS students at Stevens are required to participate in a dedicated course which was developed specifically for the Stevens' CyberCorps® SFS program. The purpose of the course is to supplement the scholar’s degree-specific cybersecurity education and to enhance the Stevens' CyberCorps® SFS experience. Elements of the course include:

• Technical seminars and guest speakers

• Resume-writing workshops

• Mock technical interviews

• Workshop in Entrepreneurial Opportunities in Cybersecurity

• Workshop in Basics of Managing Software Projects

• Workshop in Personal Time Management

• Workshop in Leadership

• Field trips (e.g. AT&T's Global Network Operations Center or SANS CyberCity)

Program Obligations

In addition to the requirements imposed on all CyberCorps® SFS scholars nationwide, all CyberCorps® SFS scholars at Stevens:

• Must be full-time, on-campus students in a cybersecurity-focused degree program.

• Must complete monthly reports detailing progress in courses, status of job applications, any extracurricular activities, attended cybersecurity-related events/talks, and any other information related to scholarship activities.

• Must attend the weekly meetings of the Stevens' CyberCorps® SFS-only course and participate in other events, as required.

• Must maintain good academic standing as defined in the Stevens agreement.

• May not accept any employment without prior written permission from the PIs of the Stevens' CyberCorps® SFS program.

Scholarship Benefits 

• Stipend: 

  • $22,500 - undergraduate students

  • $34,000 - graduate students

• Stipends are for the nine-month period of the academic year and are paid out on a monthly basis (September-May).

• The scholarship covers full tuition and fees.

• The scholarship also includes an allowance for health insurance, books, and professional development.

Contact Information

At Stevens: [email protected]

At OPM: https://www.sfs.opm.gov

Who is Eligible?

In order to be considered for the Stevens' CyberCorps® SFS program, you must meet the following requirements: 

Undergraduate Students:

• You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.

• You must pursue both a bachelor's and a master's degree program at Stevens, with at least one of them being a cybersecurity-focused degree program.

• You must be within three years of graduation from both programs (i.e. you must have at least junior status in your bachelor's program).

• You must have a GPA of at least 3.2.

Graduate Students:

• You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.

• You must have completed undergraduate studies with a GPA of at least 3.2.

• You must be accepted into a cybersecurity-focused master's degree program at Stevens.

Application Process

Step 1: Application for Review

Successful candidates have a record of academic excellence, strive to pursue a degree in a cybersecurity focused program, and show strong commitment for civil service. The following documents must be submitted:

• A detailed CV

• At least three letters of recommendation with at least one from a faculty member of an academic institution. The letters should include statements as to your abilities/knowledge in the

   

  six competency areas.

• A statement describing your knowledge/competency in the

   

  six competency areas

  .

• A statement describing your career goals in government service and cybersecurity. In this statement you should also describe any experience you may have in cybersecurity, including courses, projects, thesis, job experience, etc.

Step 2: Interview

• Selected applicants will be invited to interview.

• Dress code: business casual.

Step 3: Final Decision and Onboarding

• Final decisions will be announced after the completion of all interviews.

• Successful applicants must sign the Stevens agreement to maintain good academic standing. In addition, successful applicants must also sign the government’s

   

  statement of understanding of program requirements

   

  which will be sent to OPM for final approval. If approved, the candidate is officially accepted and registered into the Stevens' CyberCorps® SFS program at Stevens.

For general questions regarding the Stevens' CyberCorps® SFS program please refer to the FAQ on the CyberCorps® SFS website.

Which degree programs can I pursue at Stevens under the scholarship?

Every scholar must complete at least one cyber-security focused degree program on the bachelor's or master's levels.

How many of the applicants receive a scholarship?

The scholarship program is competitive and the success rate depends on the number and quality of applications received for a specific application deadline.

Is there an age limit for applicants?

There is no age limit. Anyone who meets the application criteria will be considered for a scholarship.

What are the criteria to be accepted as an applicant? 

Every applicant has a unique set of strengths and weaknesses. Successful candidates have a record of academic excellence, strive to pursue a degree in cybersecurity, and show strong commitment for civil service. Your statement describing your career goals in government service and cybersecurity along with reference letters and interviews are central for our decision.

May I submit a recommendation from someone other than a faculty member at an academic institution?

Yes, we only require that at least one of the three recommendations be from a faculty member of an academic institution.

Can I pursue the Stevens CyberCorps® SFS program online or on a part-time basis?

No, the Stevens' CyberCorps® SFS program requires full-time, on-campus study.

What if I am a co-op student?

If you are currently enrolled in the co-op program at Stevens and are awarded a scholarship through the Stevens' CyberCorps® SFS program, you will have to drop the co-op program.

What if I would like to transfer to Stevens and join Stevens' CyberCorps® SFS?

If you are not currently a student at Stevens, you must first transfer to Stevens. You are eligible to apply for the scholarship once you have achieved at least rising junior status at Stevens. 

When can I apply?

For details, please refer to the application process. 

What are the requirements to successfully complete the scholarship program at Stevens?

In addition to the requirements imposed on all CyberCorps® SFS scholars nationwide, Stevens' CyberCorps® SFS scholars at Stevens must:

• Complete monthly reports detailing progress in courses, status of job applications, any extracurriculars, cybersecurity-related events/talks attended, and any other relevant information.

• Attend the weekly meetings of the Stevens' CyberCorps® SFS-only course and participate in other events, as required.

What does the scholarship look like on my taxes?

We are not allowed to give tax advice in any way. Please consult your personal tax advisor.

Is the scholarship need-based, merit-based, or both?

The scholarship is merit-based.

For further questions please contact us.