DoD CySP Scholarship

About the Program

• The DoD CySP is both a scholarship program for the Department of Defense (DoD), and a capacity building tool for the nation. The program is a result of commitment from DoD and Congress to support higher education as a means to prepare the DoD workforce to deal with threats against the Department's critical information system and networks. https://public.cyber.mil/dcysp/
• Being a Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) creates scholarship opportunities for SHSU Computer Science Students. The Department of Defense (DOD) Cyber Scholarship Program (CySP) provides students with the opportunity to graduate debt-free, internship experience, and a job upon graduation.
• Students selected to participate in the program receive the full cost of tuition, books (from the institution and degree specific required book list, not books which are optional for the class), required fees (including health care), 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 SHSU. Students can apply for either the 1, 2, or 3 year scholarship, with a post-graduate obligation for the same number of years toward federal service. Students are required to complete an internship with the Department of Defense during the summer. Internships do NOT count towards the post-graduation obligation requirements.

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be enrolled (or accepted for enrollment) in B.S, M.S, or PhD degree programs of SHSU Computer Science Department, falling into one of the following categories:
  • a junior or senior pursuing one of our bachelor's degrees; or
  • in the first or second year of your master's degree; or
  • doctoral student
• Must be 18 years of age or older. (If a male or older, must register with selective service.)
• Must be a citizen of the United States
• Must not currently be a DoD or Federal employee (civilian or military)
• Must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.2/4.0 (undergraduate) and 3.5/4.0 (graduate)
• Must be willing to be mobile and move to the location of their internship/final service obligation

How to Apply

• Must determine whether or not you meet the eligibility requirements with a DoD professor:
  • Undergraduate students with:
    • Dr. Zhou (bxz003@shsu.edu), or
    • Dr. Lester (lys001@shsu.edu), or
    • Dr. Varol (cxv007@shsu.edu)
  • Graduate students with:
    • Dr. An (an@shsu.edu), or
    • Dr. Shashidhar (nks001@shsu.edu)
• Submit your application on the DoD Cyber Scholarship Program website.
• Deadline: 11:59PM EST February 1, 2024
• Carefully read Student Application Preparation Instructions.
• Underrepresented students are strongly encouraged to apply.