DoD Cyber Scholarship Program

  • The Funded Grant

    Under the leadership of the project's principal investigator, Dr. Waleed Farag, IUP, along with a selected group of national universities, has been awarded funding since 2018 from the Department of Defense in support of the Cyber Scholarship Program (CySP).

    Project Summary

    This project has introduced a systematic program designed to effectively recruit qualified and high-achieving students who are enrolled in our cybersecurity program of study as candidates to the CySP. Selected candidates for this scholarship will receive full support, including a generous annual stipend, a waiver for tuition and all fees, books, laptop, and other benefits. Please see below complete details about the current project and its previous years.

    2021–22 Application Cycle  is Now Open!

    If you are interested in pursuing this full-ride scholarship to support your study in cybersecurity and related fields, the Department of Defense is currently seeking scholarship applications from rising junior and senior (third- and fourth-year) undergraduate and master/doctoral students for the 2021–22 academic year. Information about this coming application cycle is given below.

    Informational Session for 2021–22 Cycle  

    An online information session was held on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020, at 4:00 p.m. to explain the scholarship and answer all your questions. If you could not attend, you can access the informational session recording here.

    Advantages

    • Full cost of tuition and all fees provided for 2021–22 academic year.
    • A $25,000 stipend for undergraduate students to cover room and board.
    • A $30,000 stipend for graduate (master’s/PhD) students to cover room and board.
    • Covering the cost of all required books (up to $1,250 a year).
    • A laptop (up to $1,500).

    Basic Requirements 

    • Applicant must have and maintain a minimum cumulative GPA  of 3.2 (undergraduate) and 3.5 (graduate) for the duration of the academic year.
    • Applicant must be entering junior or senior year or a graduate program in fall 2021.
    • Must be a US citizen.
    • By accepting the scholarship, the applicant agrees to work for the DoD as a civilian for one year for each year of scholarship received.

    Flyer

    View the 2021–22 flyer

    How to Apply

    Application is now closed. The application deadline was January 29, 2021.

    1. Make sure you satisfy all basic requirements listed above.

    2. Read the scholarship application requirements carefully and in its entirety to be fully familiar with the program.

    3. Read the detailed student application preparation instructions thoroughly and make sure you comply with all directions.

    4. Download and complete the new application. Applications must be filled out entirely and include the required additional materials.

    5. If you are a returning student (one who is currently an awardee and would like to apply to renew the scholarship for another year), please download and complete the returning student application.

    6. Only electronic applications (a PDF) will be accepted.

    7. All applicants must use the required résumé template.

    8. Applications and questions should be submitted to Dr. Farag. See contact info below.

    Contact

    Waleed Farag, PhD
    Director of the IUP Institute for Cybersecurity
    334 Stright Hall
    210 S. 10th St.
    Indiana, PA 15705

    farag@iup.edu
    724-357-7995

  • Institute for Cyber Security
  • Stright Hall, Room 233
    210 South Tenth Street
    Indiana, PA 15705
  • Phone: 724-357-2608
  • Fax: 724-357-7908
  • Office Hours
  • Monday through Friday
  • 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
  • 1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.