NSF SFS

Fordham’s Center for Cybersecurity has received a $4.1 million grant - the largest grant in the Center’s history - from the National Science Foundation (NSF) that will enable the University to provide full scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students who wish to earn a degree in cybersecurity.

The Scholarship for Service (SFS) Program is designed to recruit and train the next generation of cybersecurity professionals to meet the needs of Federal, State, local, and tribal governments. This program provides cybersecurity undergraduate and graduate education scholarships, funded through grants awarded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). In return for the financial support, recipients must agree to work for the U.S. Government in a cybersecurity-related position after graduation for a period equal to the length of the scholarship.

Benefits:

  • Full tuition and academic fees (100%)
  • A generous yearly stipend for living expenses ($37,000 for graduate students and $27,000 for undergraduate students).
  • A professional allowance of up to $6,000 per year (for books, traveling to the SFS job fair, and other conferences).
  • This scholarship may be provided to students for up to three (3) consecutive years.
  • The title of an SFS Scholar. SFS Scholars are highly sought-after graduates in the government sector.

How to Apply:

  • While this program has a rolling application deadline, students are welcome to apply by March 15 for full consideration.
  • Please reach out to the Fordham SFS program if you are interested in this opportunity and to learn about upcoming information sessions.
  • Students applying to the DoD Cyber Service Academy (DoD CSA) will automatically be considered for SFS.
  • SFS is a highly competitive program. We receive many more applications than we have spots available. Being admitted to the Master’s in Cybersecurity program at Fordham or applying to the DoD Cyber Service Academy (DoD CSA) does not guarantee acceptance to SFS.
  • Once applications for SFS are submitted, the SFS admissions team will contact shortlisted applicants for further consideration.

Click Here to Begin Your Application

Requirements:

    • Fordham students who are completing a computer or technology-related undergraduate degree and are within three years of completing their Master's. This grant will continue over the next five years. Students can continue to apply for this opportunity yearly.
    • Students from Fordham University and external applicants who have applied to the M.S. in Cybersecurity degree are also eligible for two years of support to complete their MS degree in Cybersecurity.
    • Must be able to demonstrate evidence of being able to obtain a Security Clearance.
    • Must be a United States Citizen or US Permanent Resident.
    • Full-time student status.
    • Must have and continue to maintain at least a 3.25 cumulative GPA (evaluated every semester).
    • Completion of summer internships at a government agency.
    • If accepted, the applicant commits to working for a government agency for a term equal to the number of years that the scholarship was awarded.

  • The ability to achieve security clearance is required to be selected for this scholarship opportunity. For more information regarding security clearances and your ability to achieve them, please see the links below:

    • DoD Security Clearance Readiness Assessment is a private assessment tool to evaluate your readiness to undergo a background investigation that leads to a decision on your clearance. It is not associated with you or your account and is entirely confidential. Only you will see your results.
    • Complete a degree program through a plan of study with a significant focus on cybersecurity.
    • Maintain a GPA of 3.25 or higher (and remain in good standing as per university policies).
    • Participate in all CyberCorps activities including job fairs, and other meetings.
    • Accept no external employment without written permission from Fordham University’s SFS program.
    • Search for and complete cybersecurity-related government internships during the summers while funded under the program.
    • Search for and complete employment with the government (federal, state, local, or tribal) immediately following graduation. The length of employment must equal the duration of the scholarship.
    • Participate in high-quality applied cybersecurity research.

FAQs:

The OPM website offers a list of frequently asked questions about this scholarship opportunity here.