NSF Funded Scholarships For A Career in Cybersecurity

• Must be a US citizen or a permanent resident
• Full tuition and fees plus annual stipend of $27K for undergraduates and $37K for graduate students
• Up to $6,000 annual professional development allowance for cybersecurity certification training/exams, conference travel, laptops
• Training in technical and professional skills, resume preparation, career mentoring, and
• Includes one summer internship during the scholarship and a FEDERAL CYBERSECURITY JOB UPON GRADUATION

Fall 2026 cohort application is open now.

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This exciting CyberCorps® Scholarship for Service (SFS) program at FAU seeks highly motivated students interested in and passionate about careers in cybersecurity starting with employment within the federal government. The program emphasizes cybersecurity and the thematic areas of artificial intelligence (AI), post-quantum cryptography, and hardware security. Students in the program will complete a certificate in cybersecurity, participate in a mandatory paid summer internship with the federal government, and must pass the necessary security clearances. 

This SFS scholarship will cover full tuition and fees, an annual stipend of $27K for undergraduates and $37K for graduate students, plus up to $6,000/year for professional development. Normally, applicants will be pursuing a BS+MS degree or beginning their MS degree in the Fall semester from the Departments of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Information Technology and Operations Management, or Mathematical Sciences.

Approximately five students will be recruited per cohort. SFS scholars will participate in professional development workshops, skill building, cybersecurity research, government internships, and SFS career fairs.   Students will gain a broad understanding of cybersecurity opportunities in the federal government and be prepared to compete and secure jobs in the federal government, thus meeting their service obligations.

Scholarship Benefits

SFS scholars will have the following benefits:

• An annual academic stipend of $27,000 (undergraduate) or $37,000 (graduate) will be provided.
• The scholarship will normally coincide with the last two years of a student’s degree program.
• Annual support for books and travel to a conference for professional development are also included for both undergraduates and graduates.
• Tuition support will be provided for approximately 15 credit hours per semester for undergraduate students or 9 credit hours per semester for graduate students.
• SFS scholars will engage in a comprehensive professional development program, including the CyberCorps® Scholarship for Service Job Fair, connecting with federal recruiters, and diverse professional events like workshops and conferences. This integrated approach extends to practical experience through paid summer internships within Federal government organizations, creating a seamless blend of academic, professional, and real-world government exposure.

Upcoming Events

• AI for Cybersecurity Bootcamp

AI for Cybersecurity Bootcamp

Jumpstart your AI skills with this immersive bootcamp designed for undergraduate students!
Monday, August 11th - Friday, August 15th 2025
9:00 A.M. - 11:00 A.M. 

Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions

I am a permanent resident of the United States. Am I eligible to apply?

Yes, you are eligible to apply. However, while there may be some agencies in the Federal government that can hire permanent residents for their positions, the majority of positions that students go into at the Federal level require a level of security clearance that requires US Citizenship. Students can also meet their commitment by working for state and local government where hiring of permanent residents are a little more common. Once you graduate you have 18 months to secure a position to meet your commitment.

Will I receive the stipend during the summer months while I’m not in school?

You do not receive a stipend during the summer months. Generally speaking, your 10 week summer internship will be paid employment. 

Requirements

Students who are interested in applying for the Scholarship for Service (SFS) Program at FAU need to:

• Be a US citizen or a legal permanent resident,
• Have already been admitted to FAU
• Have junior or senior status at FAU in one of these bachelor's degree programs: BSEE, BSCE, BSCS, BSMS, BSMIS, or, beginning their MS degree in the Fall semester from the Departments of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Information Technology and Operations Management, or Mathematical Sciences.
• Plan to pursue an MS in one of these areas: EE, CE, CS, AI, DS, ITM, or Math and a graduate certificate in cybersecurity, or an MS in ITM (cybersecurity track),
• Have a minimum GPA – 3.3 and have Junior status,
• Be willing to enroll in one or more summer internships,
• Be able to pass the public trust clearance necessary for federal jobs, and

• Be familiar with the NICE Cybersecurity Framework.
   

Obligations

Students admitted as SFS scholars at FAU must:

• Adhere to the requirements of the SFS program at FAU, 
• Attend FAU on a full-time basis while receiving the scholarship, 
• Maintain the GPA specified by SFS, 
• Meet with the assigned faculty mentor periodically,
• Not have any employment other than the approved internship required by the program, 
• Attend the CyberCorp® Scholarship for Service Job Fair in Washington, D.C. in January of each year,
• Participate in research and academic development meetings, seminars, conferences, and other SFS program-related activities, 
• Complete the degree program at FAU on time through a plan of study with a significant focus on cybersecurity, including a graduate certificate in cybersecurity and a research project,
• Upon graduation, work in a cybersecurity position for the U.S. Federal government for a period equal to the number of years of their scholarship *, and 
• Reimburse the United States government if withdrawing from the program or failing to qualify for government employment.

*Each SFS recipient is responsible for identifying, applying for, or securing a suitable internship or a job at an approved U.S. federal government organization in the executive branch. Numerous resources are available including an online and physical annual job fair specifically for SFS students as well as the assistance of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) which oversees permanent placement for scholarship students.