What is the Cyber Scholarship Program (CySP)?
A program designated to recruit the nation’s top cyber talent to the DoD as well as reliant current cyber workforce to help secure the nation against the threats of information systems and networks. You can learn more about the program here.
Scholarship Information and eligibility requirements
Students selected as Cyber Scholars will receive the full cost of tuition, books (from the institution/degree specific required book list, not books which are optional for the class), required fees (including institutionally provided health care), a one-time laptop/computer purchase, travel support to attend a cyber-related conference, and a stipend to cover room and board. The stipend levels are $29,000 for undergraduate students and $34,000 for graduate (Master’s/PhD) students. Awards will be made via a grant to the CAE designated institution (not to the student).
Visit this link to learn more about the scholarship, eligibility requirements, and how to to create your account online with the DoD Cyber Scholarship Program to apply for a DoD cyber scholarship. (Note: the scholarship is for Junior, Senior, Master's, or PhD students)
Do I have to be enrolled in Pitt's CAE Designated Program of Study in order to apply?
No, the only requirements for your current program of student is that it has to be cyber-related. Examples of those cyber-related programs can be found in this link. If you are unsure if you are eligible to apply based on your program of student, email aibrahim@pitt.edu to schedule a meeting and find out.
How to apply?
Students will certainly apply online as per the DoD instructions. However, any application will have to be endorsed/recommended by the CAE institution. Thus, let us know about your interest in applying for the CySP by filling out this CySP Interest Form as soon as possible (and no later than Wednesday January 10, 2024) such that we can help, assist, and advise. Feel free to check with the DoD CySP On-Campus Point of Contact (Dr. Ahmed Ibrahim aibrahim@pitt.edu) immediately to learn of any additional application requirements.
Key Dates for the 2024 DoD Cyber Scholarship Program
01 February 2024 - Application tool closes for all students
28 February 2024 - Student Recommendations and DoD CySP/DCDSA Grant Proposal due by 11:59 PM EST
Early – April 2024 - Scholarship selections will be made
26 April 2024 - Accept or Decline due date
May-June 2024 - Begin grant processing
July 2024 – DoD CySP / DCDSA Boot Camp
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Advice for applying students
Keep the following in mind:
- Create only ONE student account for your application. NEVER CREATE MORE THAN ONE.
- Your second letter of recommendation must be sent before January 31, 2024.
- Have a clear graduation date (use the furthest possible date).
- You should only submit an application as a student in ONE school only.
- It is important to demonstrate what cyber-related courses or activities you engaged in.
- Prepare an academic plan for next year (until graduation would be even better).
- Accepting a scholarship offer means you cannot have any other scholarship supporting your tuition for that year.
- Accepting a scholarship offer means you agree to move to the funding agency's physical location after graduation.