Scholarships

DoD Cyber Security Scholarship Program

 

The Department of Defense's (DoD) Cyber Security Scholarship Program (CySP) is open to Augusta University students enrolled in the 3rd or 4th year of undergraduate education, and current or prospective students in AU's Masters program. The purpose of the program is to increase the number of qualified students entering the fields of information assurance, information technology, and cybersecurity to meet the DoD's increasing dependence on cybersecurity for war fighting and the security of its information infrastructure.

Since 2017, Augusta University has received over $1.5 million in scholarship funding from the Department of Defense. Eighteen students have received this prestigious scholarship, including six multi-year recipients.

Georgia Congressman Rick Allen was one of several members of Congress in support of what is now known as the Department of Defense Cybersecurity Scholarship Act of 2017, citing a desire to support students pursuing their passion.

"I have always said we must encourage students to find their passions early on and allow those interests to be carried on throughout their educational careers – the cyber industry is yet another example...Augusta University is leading educational innovation in my district to prepare the next generation of cyber warriors. Investing in future generations makes it possible to field the cyber threats of today, tomorrow and years to come.

- Rick Allen (R-GA)

Eligibility:

• You must be 18 years of age or older.
• You must be a citizen of the United States at the time of application. Note, if family members are not U.S. Citizens, some DoD Agencies may be unable to process the applicant (student) to the security clearance level required. Every effort will be made to assign eligible students at an Agency without such restrictions.
• You must be enrolled (or accepted for enrollment) in one of the identified CAE colleges or universities listed in this announcement, or enrolled (or accepted for enrollment) at an institution selected by a CAE as a collaborative partner for these purposes.
• You must have completed (or by August 2022 will have completed) at a minimum the first two years of an undergraduate degree program and be eligible to (a) begin either the third or fourth year of an undergraduate degree program in cybersecurity; or (b) begin the first or second year of a Master's degree program in Information Security Management or Computer Science. You must be pursuing a course of study and/or have a declared major in one of the scientific, technical, or managerial disciplines related to cybersecurity or with a concentration in cybersecurity.
• Students must have successfully completed either CYBR 2600, AIST 6510, CSCI 3400 or a transfer equivalent of one of those courses with a 'C' or better.
• Students must be registered and maintain a full-time course-load.

Benefits:

• All tuition and fees are paid by the scholarship
• Book and computer allowance provided
• Internship requirements provide hands on experience
• Stipend for undergraduates: $27,000
• Stipend for graduate students $32,000
• Disabled students may receive additional allowances. There are no allowances for dependents.

Apply:

2022 DoD CySP applications are due February 1, 2022. Scholarship information meetings coming up on January 10th at 10 am and January 14th at 3 pm, offered in-person at the Georgia Cyber Center Room 2301 or virtually via Microsoft Teams. Interested applicants need to email Markus Bacha to confirm their intent to apply and RSVP to one of the information sessions.

Student applications will now be done online. Please carefully review the links below before submitting scholarship applications. The School of Computer and Cyber Sciences will be reviewing all applications and providing a school recommendation before applications are submitted to Department of Defense organizations.

More DoD CySP Information

---

SMART Scholarship for Service

The Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship-for-Service Program is available for students  pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines to receive a full scholarship and guaranteed civilian employment with the Department of Defense upon graduation. 

All majors within the School of Computer and Cyber Sciences meet the degree requirements for this scholarship.

Other Eligibility Requirements:

• Applicants must be 18 years of age or older as of August 1, 2021
• A student in good standing with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
• Able to participate in summer internships at a DoD facility
• Willing to accept post-graduate employment with the DoD

The SMART Scholarship-for-Service Program is different from the DoD Cyber Scholarship in that students must directly apply to the SMART Scholarship Program via the SMART web site.  The application window is open between August 1 and December 1 of each year.

SMART Scholarship for Service Information