Cybersecurity Education, Research & Outreach Center

Computer Science majors in the cybersecurity concentration who are U.S. Citizens or permanent residents are eligible to apply for this scholarship (for studies during the Academic Year 2025-2026), if they fall into one of three categories:

• Rising Juniors, or Seniors pursuing a B.S. degree with a 3.5 GPA in Computer Science and 3.2 GPA overall
• Students in their first or second year of a M.S. degree with a 3.5 GPA
• Students pursuing a Ph.D. degree

This scholarship is competitive and will only be awarded dependent upon grant funding.  Applicants will participate in a local review process.  Candidates will be scored by the local review board and submitted for consideration by the DoD and their appointed review board.  This solicitation is for the 2025-2026 academic year only.  While subsequent years may be awarded, future awards are not guaranteed.  However, students currently in the DoD CSA program will receive priority the following year.

Students selected to participate in the DoD CSA will be required to sign a written agreement obligating them to work for a DoD agency, as a civilian employee for one calendar year for each year of scholarship assistance. However, should a student apply for only one semester (or six months) of scholarship, the student must still agree to work for a DoD agency for one year. This agreement is provided to the selecting agency for their records to ensure compliance with the service commitment. Students will also be required to serve in internship positions, if timing permits, with DoD organizations 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 to occur during the summer or other breaks between school terms, as appropriate to the individual’s circumstances and Tennessee Tech's academic calendar. The internship does not count toward satisfying the period of obligated service incurred by accepting the CSA 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 also 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, Section 2200, 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 PIs 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 an overall 3.2 GPA (3.5 GPA in major) 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. Failure to maintain satisfactory academic progress will constitute grounds for termination of financial assistance and termination of internship and/or employment appointment. Additionally, 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. Tennessee Tech will be responsible for monitoring student progress and will notify the DoD CSA Program Manager should any student scholar fail to attain minimum academic standards required for continuing scholarship support.

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 (including health care), up to $1,500 for a laptop, and a stipend to cover room and board. The stipend levels are $27,000 for undergraduate students and $32,000 for graduate (Master’s/PhD) students. Awards will be made via a grant to the CAE institution. Selecting agencies will also provide sponsors who will maintain contact with the student during the scholarship period, and who will facilitate the student’s entry into internships, if applicable, and eventually into DoD employment.

Except for small achievement awards, not to exceed $6,000 in any academic year, a student may not accept simultaneous remuneration from another scholarship or fellowship. Graduate programs may include a reasonable amount of teaching or similar activities that are, in Tennessee Tech's opinion, contributory to the student’s academic progress; however, the development of students, not service to Tennessee Tech, will govern the assignment of these activities.

Applications must be submitted to the URL below by February 1, 2025.  This online application will ask specific questions to determine if you are eligible to apply.  An introductory video (2022 application cycle, but still accurate) about the scholarship and application process is available at https://youtu.be/5J98vxQs3Ak. If you are eligible, you will be required to provide the following:

• Information about recognitions, honors and awards.
• Resume – the system will prompt the application to provide the required information.
• One (1) Letter of Reference from a current faculty member who is fully knowledgeable of your potential for successful learning, your knowledge, and your ability. See remainder of application package for instructions about the content of this Letter of Reference. Letters must be on University letterhead and contain the full name and contact information of the faculty member (phone, email, and address).
• One (1) additional Letter of Reference from either a current or former faculty member, or a current or former supervisor who is fully knowledgeable of your potential for successful learning, your knowledge, and your ability. See remainder of application package for instructions about the content of this Letter of Reference. Letters must be on official letterhead and contain the full name and contact information of the faculty member or current/former supervisor (phone, email, and address).
• Official Transcripts from all the institutions of higher learning you have attended. Electronic transcripts may be accepted as long as they are certified by the institution. NOTE: University POCs processing applications for submission may open the transcripts.
• Knowledge, Skills and Attributes: You must complete the OF612 Supplemental Competency Statement with narrative questions that describe the level of your attainment of the knowledge and ability factors indicated. See remainder of application package for instructions about the content of this supplemental statement.

New Student Application Link: https://www.avuedigitalservices.com/casting/aiportal/control/mainmenu?agency=DDW&portal=CYSP 

Returning scholarship participants will submit a reduced package (via email to Dr. Maanak Gupta, mgupta@tntech.edu) in PDF format to include the following elements:

• The CSA Student Application completely filled out and signed. (Attachment D). By signing the Student Application, you are stating that you have re-read section G and H.
• One (1) Letter of Reference from the current Principal Investigator or key faculty member who is fully knowledgeable of your potential for successful learning, your knowledge, and your ability, based upon this past year of effort.
• Official (certified) Transcripts from all the institutions of higher learning you have attended SINCE your last submission. You are required to maintain the appropriate grade point average to maintain your status in the program. NOTE: University POCs processing applications for submission may open thetranscripts.
• Updated resume to include your summer internship activities. A link to the resume template is provided below. Returning applicants are required to use the template.

All file submissions must be in a single, PDF-formatted document using the file name LASTNAME_First Name_Tennessee Tech University.PDF. All submission pages, must be typed. Handwritten submissions will be deemed incomplete not be evaluated. The PDF file must be editable and not locked; submissions not meeting these requirements or not in PDF format will be deemed incomplete and not be evaluated. Original, not web-print, transcripts are required to be considered (includes digitally-signed documents from the institution). These documents must be submitted by the application deadline to mgupta@tntech.edu or POB 5134, Cookeville, TN 38505.

DoD CySP Resume Template (DOCX file)