Applications are currently being accepted for Spring 2011
The need for Cybersecurity professionals
Cybersecurity has emerged as a critical domain of global competition that reaches across the social, economic, political and military realms of influence. The growth of the Internet and its infusion into nearly every aspect of our life presents a target opportunity for adversaries. It is essential to develop new operational doctrines, cyberwarfare capabilities, and the necessary human capital needed to maintain our interests in cyberspace. Meeting these challenges requires developing qualified professionals who understand this environment and its opportunities or risks. The Computer Science Department at FSU is an NSA/DHS Center of Excellence in Information Assurance Education (CAE_IAE) (since 2001) and Research (CAE_R) (since 2009), and stands ready to help build the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.
Focused on Information Assurance education, the Scholarship For Service program gives students scholarship funds in exchange for service in the federal government for a period equivalent to the length of their scholarship, typically two years. As a result of the SFS program, federal agencies are able to select from a highly qualified pool of student applicants for internships and permanent positions, and students get a guarantreed job. The SFS program is offered by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and co-sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The NSF has awarded the Florida State University Information Security program funding to support 30-45 CyberScholars for the period 2010-2014. Scholarship recipients shall pursue academic programs in Information Assurance for up to two years at MS level. They will participate as a cohort during two years of study and activities, including a summer internship in a federal agency at the end of their first year of support. The recipients will become part of the Federal CyberCorps whose responsibility is to ensure the protection of the United States Government’s information infrastructure. Upon graduation, the CyberScholars will be required to work for a federal agency for two years in fulfillment of their Federal Cyber Service commitment. The scholarships provide academic year stipends of $12,000 per year for graduate students and other expenses.
The Information Security (InfoSec) MS in Computer Science is ideally suited for students who want to assume leadership positions in the Information Assurance area. Graduates of the InfoSec program become security experts equipped to manage the growing complexities associated with securing data and networks.
Scholarship Benefits:
* A stipend of $12,000 for graduate students, in addition to the cost of tuition, fees, books, lab expenses, supplies and equipment.
* Internships and job opportunities with the world’s leading security organization.
Applications are currently being accepted for Spring 2011
http://sait.fsu.edu/index_2010.shtml
Important: Participating in this program obliges you to a period of service in the federal government. For details check SFS FAQ.
If accepted, you will need to commit to a Service Agreement with the federal government.
Each applicant should provide the following:
* Letter expressing interest in the NSF Cyber Training Scholarship program that includes a statement that indicates an understanding of the two year degree seeking nature of the program and of the two year commitment to the federal government after graduation
* Transcripts of all college work
* Standardized test scores (SAT, GRE)
* Statement of purpose and description of goals in your computer science MS degree program and in the field of computer security and information assurance
* Recommendation letters from at least two faculty members or employment managers familiar with the student’s background
* Official acceptance into Florida State University
* Current personal Resumé
Read “What Makes a Great IASP Scholarship Application”.
Send your complete application to:
*
Kristan McAlpin
Graduate Coordinator
203D Love Building
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL 32306-4530
Eligibility Requirements
The following minimum requirements must be met for eligibility:
* You must be a citizen of the United States.
* You must have completed at a minimum an undergraduate degree program and be eligible to begin the first or second year of a MS degree program and complete a graduate certificate program in Information Assurance.
* You must be a full time student within two years of graduation at Florida State University with MS degree in Computer Science.
* Successful applicants will demonstrate in the application process academic merit as well as indicators of future professional success.
* You must meet selection criteria for federal employment (you may be required to undergo a background investigation).
203D James J. Love Building
Florida State University
Tallahassee FL 32306-4530
(850)-645-4975
mcalpin@cs.fsu.edu