Department of Defense Cyber Service Academy Scholarship Program
A One-Year, Full-Ride Scholarship for Cyber Scholars
Applications Open: November 1, 2024
The Liberty University School of Business and the Center for Cyber Excellence will soon begin accepting applications for the 2025-2026 Department of Defense (DoD) Cyber Service Academy (CSA).
Online Application
Scholarship Benefits
Students selected as Cyber Scholars will receive a one-year, full-ride scholarship for the 2025-2026 academic year that covers the following*:
- Full cost of tuition and books
- Required fees
- A laptop, which the student can keep after the scholarship period has ended
- A $27,000 stipend to cover room/board and other living expenses
- Internship opportunities and guaranteed employment with a DoD agency upon graduation
The DoD CSA program is best suited for students who want to enter the cybersecurity field, where they can work on circumventing national-level threats. This opportunity to work on real-world problems and gain experience can greatly accelerate your career and help you to succeed in the field.
*These items are subject to change by the government. Be sure to check back here regularly, up to the submission date. Substantial changes will be noted in the above “Resources and Updates” section.
Student Requirements
In order to be considered for the scholarship, you must be/have*:
- Undergraduate Student Requirements:
- Current Liberty junior or senior pursuing a bachelor’s degree in a cyber-related field.
- A cumulative GPA of at least 3.2 out of 4.0
- Graduate Student Requirements:
- Current Liberty student seeking Master’s or PhD/Doctorate degree in a cyber-related field.
- A cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 out of 4.0
- A current or future residential student
- Online students selected as Cyber Scholars must be willing to live on campus during the academic year(s) for which scholarship funds are awarded.
- 18 years of age or older at the time of application
- A citizen or permanent resident of the United States at the time of application, capable of successfully completing the sponsor specific clearance background investigation process as described here.
- Enrolled (or accepted for enrollment upon application) at Liberty University for the 2025-2026 academic year
- Pursuing a course of study and/or have a declared major in one of the scientific, technical, or managerial disciplines related to cyber or with a concentration in cybersecurity
*These items are subject to change by the government. Be sure to check back here regularly, up to the submission date. Substantial changes will be noted in the above “Resources and Updates” section.
Additional Requirements
Students selected to participate in the DoD CSA 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.
If selected, you will also be required to serve in a paid internship position, if timing permits, with the DoD organizations during the time you receive scholarship support until you have completed the course of study provided for by the scholarship.
Deadline
TBD
Scholarship Restrictions
- Submission of a DoD CSA application does not guarantee selection as a Cyber Scholar.
- Applicants must be able to obtain a security clearance necessary for employment at a DoD agency upon graduation (clearance is not required at the time of application to the DoD CSA).
- Current military service personnel and DoD employees are welcome to apply to the DoD CSA. However, these applicants must not have other, existing service obligations that would interfere with their ability to accept DoD internship placements during the period of award, should they be selected as a Cyber Scholar or to accept full-time civilian employment with a DoD agency upon graduation from Liberty University.
- Except for small achievement awards, not to exceed $6,000 in an academic year, a student may not accept simultaneous remuneration from another scholarship or fellowship. The DoD CSA is a first-pay scholarship program. However, students should not stop, interfere with, or otherwise delay the application or acceptance of other forms of financial aid until notified that he/she has been selected as a Cyber Scholar.
- Undergraduate scholarship recipients will be required to maintain a 3.2 out of 4.0 grade point average or the equivalent. Failure to maintain satisfactory academic progress will constitute grounds for termination of financial assistance and termination of internship and/or employment appointment. Additionally, students who fail to complete the degree program satisfactorily or to fulfill the service commitment upon graduation shall be required to reimburse the United States, in whole or in part, the cost of the financial (scholarship) assistance provided to them.
Questions?
Email rhbansley@liberty.edu