Cybersecurity Scholarship Program

Department of Defense – Cybersecurity Scholarship Program (CySP)

Davenport University, in cooperation with the Department of Defense, offers the CySP (Cybersecurity Scholarship Program) scholarship.

Davenport University is recognized as a National Center for Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security.

Scholarship Benefits

Each student in the program will be supported for up to two years. The specific benefits will be:

A graduate student will be paid a room and board stipend of $30,000 per academic year. An undergraduate receives $25,000.
The scholarship will pay for the full cost of tuition, required fees, books, and a stipend to cover room and board.
DoD 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 and eventual DoD employment.

Application Deadline

Initial Application Deadline: February 1, 2021

Final Application Deadline: February 10, 2021 (All documentation complete)

Interviews will take place between February 9 & February 11, 2021.

Information Sessions

An information session was held on January 13, 2021 from 5:00 - 6:00 pm. To view the recording, click here

A Q&A session was held on January 14, 2021 from 6:00 - 7:00 pm. To view the recording, click here

Eligibility Requirements

1. Be 18 years of age or older

2. Be a U.S. citizen (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.)

3. Be enrolled (or accepted for enrollment) in one of the identified CAE colleges or universities listed in this announcement, or enrolled (or accepted for enrollment) at an institution selected by a CAE as a collaborative partner for these purposes.

4. Be a full-time student and have completed (or by August 2019 will have completed) at a minimum the first two years of an undergraduate degree program and be eligible to (a) begin either the third or fourth year of an undergraduate degree program; (b) begin the first or second year of a Master's degree program; or (c) pursue doctoral studies

5. Be pursuing a course of study and/or have a declared major in one of the scientific, technical, or managerial disciplines related to cybersecurity or with a concentration in cybersecurity. (See Attachment C for full list.)

6. Sign a written agreement obligating you to work for the Department of Defense, as a civilian employee (or military employee) for one calendar year for each year for which scholarship assistance is received

7. Serve in internship positions, if timing permits, with DoD organizations during the time you are receiving scholarship support

8. Be recommended by the CAE for the scholarship program

9. Agree to a security/background investigation (to prepare for internships and for future employment with the DoD)

Drug tests or other suitability processing will occur as appropriate.
Visit the following sites for more information

http://www.clearancejobs.com/security_clearance_faq.pdf
http://www.taonline.com/securityclearances/

10. Maintain good academic standing: 3.2 out of 4.0 GPA (undergraduates); 3.5 out of a 4.0 GPA (graduates)

** Failure to maintain these minimum grade point averages constitutes grounds for immediate termination of financial assistance and your appointment under the IASP. Additionally, if you fail to complete the degree program satisfactorily or to fulfill the service commitment upon graduation, you shall be required to reimburse the United States, in whole or in part, the cost of the financial (scholarship) assistance provided.

11. Complete the full student application process including

Full CySP Application - Attachment D (completed & signed)
Separate sheet highlighting recognitions, awards and honors (one 8 1/2 x 11 page)
Supplemental Academic Sufficiency Statement (OF612), with the following attachments
- Resume
- Two letters of recommendation (One must be from a current faculty member) addressing your potential for successful learning, knowledge & ability (signed and on letterhead).
- Official (Certified) Transcripts (may be electronic, but must be submitted to DU and not issued to student)
- Supplemental Competency Statement: Knowledge, Skills and Attributes (See Attachment D, page 6)
- Signature on the Supplemental Statement of General Academic and Employment Condition (Original signature on form OF612 required)

For more details see Attachment C - Department of Defense (DoD) Information Assurance Scholarship Program (CySP) Application Background and Requirements

All grants are subject to availability of funds.

Application Preparation Information

Students must use current forms
Form must be typed or electronically filled out. Unless prior arrangements have been made with the DoD CySP Program Office, hand-written applications (other than signatures/initials) will not be accepted.
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.
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: An official transcript is the institution’s certified statement of the student’s academic record. Official paper transcripts are printed on security sensitive paper and contain the intuitions seal as well as a signature of the institution’s registrar. An official electronic transcript is a PDF secured by a digital signature, which is displayed at the top of the transcript; sometimes they will include a blue ribbon.
1. Paper application: Paper applications must include official transcripts. The institution’s CySP point of contact or someone acting on his/her behalf may open transcripts. Applications arriving without official transcripts will be deemed incomplete.
2. Soft copy application: Soft-copy (electronic) applications may contain a copy of the official transcript.
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. If any of these items are attached the application will not be accepted.
Letters of Recommendation should be an original version, not a copy, on official company/institution letterhead, include the contact information to confirm the letter is valid (full name, mailing address, phone number, email address) and must be signed by the author. Emailed letters will not be accepted.
Resumes should be limited to 2 pages and include but not limited to the following:
1. Education: include degrees, institutions, location, date of graduation (or expected date of graduation); major/minor fields; GPA
2. 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.
3. Skills: include computer systems; programs which you are proficient. Include foreign languages. List any other skills, certifications, clearance levels you may hold.
Paper applications must be printed single sided on plain white 8 ½ x 11 paper.
Paper applications may be held together by a paper clip, rubber band, or binder clip. Do not staple or place in a binder.

Students are responsible for submitting a complete paper application to the CySP point of contact on campus.
Students may provide a PDF copy application to the CySP point of contact on campus.

Order of documents:

New Students:
1. DoD CySP New Student Application Form (10 pages)
2. Official Transcripts
3. Resume
4. Separate List: Awards, Honors, and Distinctions (page 5 of the New Student Application)
5. 2 Letters of Reference
6. OF612 Supplemental Competency Statement (page 6 of the New Student Application)
Returning Students:
1. DoD CySP Returning Student Application Form (7 pages)
2. Official Transcripts
3. Resume
4. 1 Letter of Reference Saving a PDF copy of the application:

Students should provide the CySP POC a PDF version of their application. Should a student not do so, the responsibility falls to the CySP POC. Student applications should be saved using the “reduced size

PDF” when possible. There should be one file per student application. Do not save student applications as one continues PDF. PDF files should be use the following file name structure:

 NEW STUDENTS:

LAST NAME_First Name_University
- EXAMPLE: DOE_John_Worldwide University.pdf (CORRECT)

 RETURNING STUDENTS:

LAST NAME_First Name_University_Returning

Adding additional words, numbers, or letters before or after the correct file name is not required and doing so slows down the process of compiling applications for the selecting DoD Agencies. Incorrect formats are as follows: