DOD Cyber Scholarship Program

The Department of Defense (DoD) Cyber Scholarship Program (CySP) supports the recruitment of new cyber talent and the retention of current highly skilled professionals within the DoD cyber workforce. 

This scholarship program serves to enhance the national pipeline for the development of cyber personnel by providing grants to institutions of higher education.

Students selected as Cyber Scholars at Towson 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), and a stipend to cover room and board. The stipend levels are $27,000 for undergraduate students and $32,000 for graduate (Master’s/doctoral) students.

Students selected to participate in the DoD CySP will be required to:

  • Sign a written agreement obligating them to work for the DoD, as a civilian employee for one calendar year for each year of scholarship assistance.
  • Serve in internship positions, if timing permits, with the DoD organizations during the time they are receiving scholarship support until they complete the course of study provided for by the scholarship.
  • 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.
  • 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, 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.

CySP Information Session (PDF)

More about Cybersecurity at Towson can be found at www.towson.edu/cyber

Scholarship points of contact: