The Funded Grant
Under the leadership of the project's principal investigator, 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 Service Academy (CSA), formerly known as 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 CSA. Selected candidates for this scholarship will receive full support, including a generous annual stipend, a waiver for tuition and all fees, books, and other benefits. Please see below information about current and previous cycles including awarded students, ongoing mentoring program, and other details.
Previous Cycle Information
DoD Capacity Building Project
In conjunction with the DoD CSA, IUP received funding to find additional ways to recruit more students to enter the cybersecurity workforce. For details about the DoD Capacity Building Project, please visit the DoD Capacity Building Project page.
2025–26 Application Cycle (NEW)
If you are interested in pursuing this full-ride scholarship to support your study in cybersecurity and related fields, the Department of Defense currently seeks scholarship applications from rising junior and senior (third- and fourth-year) undergraduate and master/doctoral students for the 2025–26 academic year. Information about this cycle is given below.
Download the CSA 2025–26 cycle flyer.
Recording of the November 18, 2024, Informational Session for the 2025–26 application cycle.
Advantages
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This opportunity is contingent on the release of the official Cyber Service Academy solicitation, expected in December 2024.
- Full cost of tuition and all fees provided for the 2025–26 academic year.
- A $29,000 stipend for undergraduate students to cover room and board.
- A $34,000 stipend for graduate (master's/PhD) students to cover room and board.
- Covering the cost of required textbooks.
- One-time laptop/computer purchase.
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 the junior or senior year or a graduate program in fall 2025.
- Applicant 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.
How to Apply
Both new and returning student application deadline is Feb. 1, 2025- An information session was held via Zoom on Monday, 11/18/2024, at 11:20 a.m. Please see the above recording.
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Information and documents below are from the previous application cycle. Updated documents will be posted once the Cyber Service Academy solicitation is officially released, expected in December 2024.
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You can now start accessing the online application system (AVUE) and working on your application.
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Make sure you satisfy all the basic requirements listed above. You are strongly encouraged to watch these short instructional videos.
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Read the scholarship application requirements carefully and in its entirety to be fully familiar with the program.
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Read the detailed student application preparation instructions thoroughly and make sure you comply with all directions.
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Check the program fact sheet.
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NEW applicants must carefully read and follow the directions in the quick start guide. Applications must be filled out entirely and include the required additional materials.
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Download snapshots and a demo of the Application Tool discussed during the informational session.
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If you are a returning student (one who is currently an awardee and would like to apply to renew the scholarship for another year), you will be applying via the AVUE tool like you did last year.
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Applications and questions should be submitted to Dr. Farag. See contact info below.
Contact
Waleed Farag, PhD
Director of the IUP Institute for Cybersecurity
Stright Hall 334
210 S. 10th St.
Indiana, PA 15705
farag@iup.edu
724-357-7995