Department of Defense
Cyber Scholarship Program

The University of Texas at Dallas

The purpose of the program is to support the recruitment of new cyber talent for DoD cyber workforce. Students selected for the program will receive full scholarship, and upon graduation, will work for their sponsoring DoD agency as a civilian employee with full pay and full benefits for one calendar year for each year of scholarship support with the option of continuing their employment after the payback duration is over. During breaks in their academic studies (i.e., in summer), awardees will receive progressive, hands-on experience in information security internships, when applicable. An opportunity also exists for scholarship payback through military service.

At UT Dallas, we offer this program to students who plan to pursue MS in Computer Science in Ccyber Ssecurity concentration track and fulfill the requirements of our NSA- endorsed Cyber Defense Certificate program (that can be completed as part of MS in CS degree program). Students must attend the MS in CS degree program as a full-time student.

Undergraduate students (CS or SE or CE students) who are already in (or who will qualify to join) our BS+MS fast track program (for Fall 2024 start) are also eligible to apply provided that they commit to pursue their MS in CS degree after they complete their undergraduate degree with the scholarship program.

Scholarship awards will be made for one academic year and additional years of scholarship awards are dependent upon satisfactory academic progress, internship performance, if applicable, and the availability of funds. Returning students in good standing will need to apply again for support for the next year. Additional years of scholarship awards are dependent upon satisfactory academic progress, internship performance, if applicable, and the availability of funds. Returning students will be given first priority over new students to the program as long as they continue to meet the scholarship requirements and based on the availability of funds. The final student selection will be done by DoD agencies and an awardee selected by a DoD agency may expect to be employed by that agency upon graduation.

Apply online at DoD Cyber Scholarship Program website.

Application deadline is February 1, 2024.

Interested students are strongly suggested to contact Dr. Kamil Sarac (ksarac@utdallas.edu) prior to their application submission to discuss further details about the program.

Program Details

  • 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, 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.
  • Students selected to participate in the DoD CySP/DCDSA/DCDSA will be required to sign a written agreement obligating them to work for the DoD, as a civilian employee for one calendar year for each year of scholarship assistance. This agreement is provided to the selecting agency for their records to ensure compliance with the service commitment.
  • Students will be required to serve in internship positions, if timing permits, with the selecting DoD organization during the time they are receiving scholarship support until they complete the course of study provided for by the scholarship. These internships will be arranged by the DoD organizations to occur during the summer or other breaks between school terms, as appropriate to the individual’s circumstances and the institution’s calendar. The internship does not count toward satisfying the period of obligated service incurred by accepting the DoD CySP/DCDSA/DCDSA scholarship.
  • Students will be required to formally accept or decline the scholarship within 15 days of notification. Non-acceptance by this date will mean the scholarship will be offered to the next available student.
  • Students will be required to complete a security investigation questionnaire to initiate the process for a background investigation in preparation for their internships, if applicable, and as a condition of future employment with the DoD. Drug tests or other suitability processing will occur as appropriate.
  • Students will be required to sign an agreement stating that they will accept assignments requiring travel or change of duty stations as interns or employees. Individuals who voluntarily terminate employment during intern appointments or before the end of the period of obligated service required by the terms of Chapter 112, title 10, United States Code, will be required to refund the United States, in whole or in part, the cost of the educational assistance provided to them. Web pages have been provided in the Application Background and Application Package for review about security clearances to assist both the principal investigator and the students in understanding these requirements before they apply.
  • An opportunity also exists for scholarship payback through military service. Individuals choosing to enlist or accept a commission to serve on active duty in one of the Military Services shall incur a service obligation of a minimum of 4 years on active duty in that Service upon graduation. The Military Services may establish a service obligation longer than 4 years, depending on the occupational specialty and type of enlistment or commissioning program selected.
  • Undergraduate scholarship recipients will be required to maintain a 3.2 out of 4.0 grade point average or the equivalent; graduate students will be required to maintain an overall 3.5 out of a 4.0 grade point average, or equivalent. Failure to maintain satisfactory academic progress will constitute grounds for termination of financial assistance and termination of internship and/or employment appointment.
  • Students who fail to complete the degree program satisfactorily or to fulfill the service commitment upon graduation shall be required to reimburse the United States, in whole or in part, the cost of the financial (scholarship) assistance provided to them.
  • Students will be required to agree to a code of conduct. A student handbook that includes the code of conduct rules will be provided to each selected student.
  • Recruitment Scholars may accept funding from sources outside of DoD CySP/DCDSA, including private scholarships, fellowships, and grants, as long as those funds can be used for non-tuition related costs (housing, supplies, meal plans, etc.). The student tuition must be fully paid by the DoD CySP/DCDSA.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be at least 18 years of age to be eligible for consideration for the program.
  • 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.
  • For an undergraduate student, the applicant should have/maintain a 3.2 out of a 4.0 grade point average (GPA) or, for a graduate student, the applicant should have/maintain a 3.5 out of 4.0 GPA.
  • Must be at most four semesters away (by the beginning of Fall 2024 semester) from your BS+MS dual degree or MS degree completion in Computer Science at UT Dallas, i.e., must graduate with MS in CS degree by May 2026.
  • For more information on eligibility requirements, please see Application Background and Requirements document.

Student Application Preparation Instructions

New Recruitment Student Applicants

  • New Recruitment Students must use the new DoD CySP/DCDSA online application tool.
    https://www.avuedigitalservices.com/casting/aiportal/control/mainmenu?agency=DDW&portal=CYSP
  • Applications missing any required documents will automatically be disqualified.
  • Students who are currently receiving funds from another scholarship program or who have a service obligation upon graduation are not eligible to apply for the DoD CySP/DCDSA.
  • Anticipated Final Graduation Date is for the degree program you are applying for scholarship support. Any applications that indicate a graduation date of January through September of the current year will not be eligible.
  • Transcripts: Students may submit either official or unofficial transcripts. Transcripts should not be mailed directly to the DoD CySP/DCDSA Program Office.
  • Students should not attach copies/pictures of social security cards, driver’s license, passports, military identification, credit cards, degrees, certificates, and any other type of personally identifiable information.
  • Letters of Recommendation:
    • One letter will be uploaded by the student;
    • The second letter will be emailed by the author to the DoD CySP/DCDSA Program Office by 01 February 2024. Instructions are provided in the actual application.
  • Traditional resumes will not be submitted. The DoD CySP/DCDSA application tool will prompt students to fill in the required resume information. Students will be asked to provide the following:
    • Education: include degrees, institutions, location, date of graduation (or expected date of graduation); major/minor fields; GPA
    • Experience: jobs, internships, and/or volunteer work. Include name of company, position, and dates employed. List at least three important tasks, accomplishments, or skills gained at each job. Also identify any clearance level held. It is important that you identify the number of hours per week you worked.
    • Skills: include computer systems; programs which you are proficient. Include foreign languages. List any other skills, certifications, clearance levels you may hold.
  • Paper applications for new students will not be accepted.
  • Students are responsible for submitting a complete application through the new application tool by 11:59 PM East Standard Time on 01 February 2024. Students will not have access to the application on 02 February 2024.

DoD CySP 2022/2023 Returning Student Applicants who applied through the online tool

  • Current DoD CySP Scholars reapplying for additional years of support will login to their same AVUE account and validate all information is still current and correct. Scholars will also submit:
    • Validation of contact information and graduation date
    • Current transcripts
    • One letter of reference

UTD Specific Scholarship Requirements

  • Must be a full-time student attending classes in-person and not working elsewhere to generate income during the academic year.
  • Must complete the requirements of MS in CS degree in Cyber Security concentration track.
  • Must commit to complete Cyber Defense Certificate curriculum at the CS department at UTD. This curriculum can be completed as part of MS in CS degree in Cyber Security concentration track.
  • Must meet the minimum GPA requirement during the scholarship period.

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