CyberCorps®: Scholarship for Service

Requirements and Eligibility

• Each participant must be a United States Citizen or permanent resident.
• Each participant must be a full time resident student at the University of Idaho in computer science or computer engineering, within the following graduation requirements:
  • Within 2 years of graduation for a Baccalaureate or Masters degree
  • Within 3 years of graduation with a combined Baccalaureate and Masters degree
• Each participant must meet selection criteria for federal executive agencies for employment.
• Final job placement may require security clearances. Scholarship recipients may be required to undergo the background investigation required to obtain such clearances.
• During the summers between the academic years in the program, each participant will serve in an internship position at a federal executive agency.
• Upon graduation, each participant must obtain a job that uses the skills they have developed in cybersecurity with a federal executive agency. The work requirement time period matches the scholarship support time period.

Application Process

Each applicant that is interested in the SFS program should provide the following:

1. Letter expressing interest in the SFS program including a statement that indicates an understanding of the nature of the program and the matching of the commitment to a federal and state agency after graduation. This letter can be sent via email.
2. Copies of transcripts of all college work.
3. Undergraduate students need official acceptance into the University of Idaho. You can apply here.

Criteria for Selection

• United States citizen.
• Advanced sophomore standing with the ability to graduate within two years.
• Official acceptance into an approved undergraduate U of I SFS program (CS, or CompE).
• A cumulative GPA of not less than 3.3 on a 4.0 scale.
• Evaluation of the statement of purpose and description of goals in chosen major.
• Recommendation letters from at least two faculty members or employment managers.

Requirements and Eligibility

• Each participant must be a United States Citizen or permanent resident.
• Each participant must be a full time resident student at the University of Idaho in computer science or computer engineering, within the following graduation requirements:
  • Within 2 years of graduation for a Baccalaureate or Masters degree
  • Within 3 years of graduation with a combined Baccalaureate and Masters degree
• Each participant must meet selection criteria for federal executive agencies for employment.
• Final job placement may require security clearances. Scholarship recipients may be required to undergo the background investigation required to obtain such clearances.
• During the summers between the academic years in the program, each participant will serve in an internship position at a federal executive agency.
• Upon graduation, each participant must obtain a job that uses the skills they have developed in cybersecurity with a federal executive agency. The work requirement time period matches the scholarship support time period.

Application Process

Each applicant that is interested in the SFS program should provide the following:

1. Letter expressing interest in the SFS program including a statement that indicates an understanding of the nature of the program and the matching of the commitment to a federal and state agency after graduation. This letter can be sent via email.
2. Copies of transcripts of all College work.
3. Official application and acceptance into the graduate program in Computer Science, Computer Engineering or Accounting at the University of Idaho. You can apply here.

Criteria for Selection

• United States citizen.
• Official acceptance into an approved graduate U of I SFS program (CS or CompE).
• Expected graduation with MS degree within two years.
• Cumulative GPA of not less than 3.5 on a 4.0 scale.
• Evaluation of the student’s statement of purpose. Candidates for a graduate degree must write a statement of purpose about their goals in the SFS program and graduate school.
• Recommendation letters from at least two faculty members or employment managers.

In addition, we will consider the following criteria for both undergraduate and graduate candidates:

• Commitment to participate in summer service and service following degree completion according to the guidelines of the SFS program.
• Commitment to participate in assessment activities after their scholarship and required government service has ended.
• Demonstrated leadership, participation in team activities, prior social service, and/or evidence of creative and independent thinking and/or behavior.

University of Idaho faculty who are principle investigators (PI) and the Project Manager of the NSF grant will review all applications and interview likely candidates, either in person or by telephone. The selection process will end when the panel selects the students to be admitted on the basis of application data, the interview and a successful background check. During this selection process, the student's interests, goals and requests will be used to match each scholarship student with an appropriate faculty mentor. Each student will be included in a research and/or service learning project during their first year of support. Final approval of accepted applicants must be certified by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).

Applicants interested in entering the program can use the following dates as guidelines. Applicants are accepted into the program on a competitive, space-available basis. The SFS panel reviews applications periodically, starting in January. Incomplete applications are not reviewed.

• Applications for candidates who wish to begin the SFS program in spring semester (January) applications will be accepted until Oct. 1 prior to the fall semester, or until the fellowship positions are filled.
• Applications for candidates who wish to begin the SFS program in fall semester (August): Applications will be accepted until March. 1 prior to the fall semester, or until the fellowship positions are filled.
• Applications requesting a summer semester start will be deferred to fall semester.