NSF CyberCorps SFS Program

NSF SFS Program Overview

RMU has been awarded a new grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to establish a CyberCorps® Scholarship for Service (SFS) program. This grant program is to recruit highly qualified and diverse students and develop them into excellent and ethical cybersecurity professionals with strong technical and strategic thinking and research skills to meet the growing needs of federal, state, local and tribal government workforce and defend America’s cyberspace. SFS students may receive up to 3 years of full funding support to complete their program. Graduates from the SFS program are expected to serve in professional positions of cybersecurity in government agencies with assistance from the SFS program and Office of Personnel Management (OPM). RMU was awarded this prestigious and competitive grant due to our compelling proposal and RMU’s designation as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (NCAE-CDE) by NSA/DHS.

RMU Press Release

SFS Scholarship Award Package

• Full cost of tuition and fees 
• Annual stipend
  • $27,000 for undergraduate students
  • $37,000 for graduate students: (3rd year integrated BS/MS Cybersecurity students only)
• Annual professional allowance of $6,000 for SFS Job Fair and conference travel, research, certifications, and study materials and supplies

Minimum Criteria for RMU SFS Program

• US citizen or permanent resident (see security clearance requirement below)
• Be a full-time rising junior in RMU’s BS Cybersecurity program by the start date of each cohort in the fall semester
• Minimum GPA of 3.3 out of 4 to apply for and maintain SFS scholarship status
• Be able to pass a federal security background check for US government positions; Review the SF86 Questionnaire to gauge your self-confidence level: https://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf86.pdf 
• A strong commitment to US government service
• Sign a Service Agreement to accept the scholarship offer
• Participate in regular and frequent on-ground SFS program events and activities
• Comply with RMU policies and SFS program requirements

SFS Student Resources & Activities

Cybersecurity Competitions

• NCAE Cyber Games (Faculty Advisor: Dr. Ping Wang)
• National Cyber League (Faculty Advisor: Dr. Ping Wang)

 

 

 

Cybersecurity Clubs

• RMU Top Secret Colonials Cybersecurity Club (Faculty Advisor: Dr. Karen Paullet)
• RMU Women in Cybersecurity Club (Faculty Advisor: Dr. Sushma Mishra)

Information Sessions

• NSF SFS Information Session and Q&A:  Tuesday, Feb 27, 4pm in Wheatley 114
• NSF SFS Information Session and Application Assistance Q&A:  Tuesday, April 2, 4pm in Wheatley 114

How to Apply

RMU SFS student application for 2024 will open on March 1 and close on May 31, 2024.

Application Checklist: The following PDF documents from the student applicant (except the 2 recommendation forms) must be submitted as file attachments to NSF-SFS@rmu.edu by the application deadline of May 31, 2024.

1. NSF SFS Scholarship Application Form: (Typed name in the signature box is acceptable.) This short application form should be submitted soon to start your application file; other items below may arrive later by the deadline.
2. College Transcripts. Unofficial transcripts are accepted for application. Official transcripts are required for interviews and SFS scholarship acceptance.
3. Resume. Includes relevant education, certifications, internship/work experience, competitions, and other extra-curricular activities. See a suggested Resume template
4. Personal Statement. This is a one-page essay of 3 short paragraphs to explain:
   1) Why you are pursuing the CyberCorps SFS scholarship;
   2) Your specific area(s) of interest in Cybersecurity and relevant skills and experience; and
   3) Your career objective and commitment to government service.
5. Recommendation Forms (2). The 2 Recommendation forms include one completed by a current Professor or Supervisor and the other one by a recent Professor or Supervisor. Both forms MUST be sent by the recommenders (NOT by the student applicant) via email directly to NSF-SFS@rmu.edu by the application deadline posted above.
6. Family Recommendation. A recommendation letter from an adult family member to address the applicant’s personal character, talent, maturity, as well as family support for government service.

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