College of Engineering
The BRADLEY DEPARTMENT of ELECTRICAL and COMPUTER ENGINEERING

Undergraduate Programs | ECE | Virginia Tech

UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS

CyberCorps Scholarship for Service

Applications are open until May 13, 2022.

Scholarship For Service (SFS) is a unique program designed to increase and strengthen the cadre of federal information assurance professionals that protect the government's critical information infrastructure. This program provides scholarships that fully fund the typical costs incurred by full-time students while attending a participating institution, including:

  • Tuition and education related fees (does not include items such as meal plans, housing, or parking)
  • Annual stipend of $25,000 for undergraduate and $34,000 for graduate students
  • Professional development reimbursement up to $3,000 / semester for:
    • Books
    • Travel to the SFS Job Fair and other approved travel
    • Approved certifications

Upon graduation SFS participants have a commitment to work for an agency within the Federal Executive Branch in an information assurance field for three years. (A limited number of students may be provided an exception to work for National Laboratories and Federally Funded Research and Development Centers.)

Virginia Tech operates a CyberCorps Scholarship for Service program which provides full tuition and up to $25,000/year in scholarships to students interested in pursuing careers in cybersecurity. The program is open to students majoring in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or Computer Engineering.

To qualify for the CyberCorps scholarship, students must complete the Minor in Cybersecurity and enroll in the Accelerated BS/MS program in their respective major (CS or ECE).

SFS students should consider completing the Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security.

Program Process

Sophomore Year

  • CS or ECE student with sophomore standing, advancing to junior next semester, meeting eligibility requirements
  • Selected for CyberCorps Scholarship

Junior Year

Senior Year

  • Apply for summer internships with federal agencies and labs
  • Continue taking courses to complete major and cybersecurity minor
  • Complete second summer internship

Master's Year

  • Apply for full-time position with federal agencies and labs
  • Continue taking courses to complete major and cybersecurity minor
  • Complete and defend masters thesis

Graduated

  • Complete three-year service commitment working for a federal executive branch agency

Course Guide

The following is a potential schedule of courses that satisfy the undergraduate minor in cybersecurity and also the requirements for the accelerated BS/MS programs. Note that not all schedules may work for all students, depending on their individual plans of study, but this can be used a guide. Please see the undergraduate and graduate course requirements for the ECE and CS departments as the official references. Students who have advanced placement or other credits who can take their CLE Electives early will find it much easier to fit the required courses into their schedule.

Example Plan of Study for CPE

Example Plan of Study for EE

Example Plan of Study for CS

Application and Program Requirements

This scholarship was established in memory of Joseph W. Belak, a member of the Class of 1963 at Virginia Tech, and his late wife, Rose V. Belak. The scholarship is presented to a full-time electrical engineering major based on academic merit and financial need. The recipient must be a Virginia resident. Preference is given to residents of the City of Waynesboro or the County of Augusta. Candidates are selected from students who have submitted a standard College of Engineering scholarship application form. The Awards Committee recommends a winner in the spring semester.

Students interested in this program should apply during the semester in which they will complete 60 or more credits of undergraduate study, typically spring of their Sophomore year.

The following are the eligibility requirements:

  • Major of Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or Electrical Engineering;
  • GPA of 3.3 or higher (required for admission to BS/MS program); and
  • US citizenship and ability to obtain a security clearance.

The following are the program benefits:

  • Full tuition and fees, books, and a $25,000 stipend during undergraduate studies; and
  • Full tuition and fees, books, and a $34,000 stipend for one year of graduate studies.

The following are the program requirements:

  • Maintain a 3.3 or higher GPA;
  • Participate in SFS cohort activities;
  • Enroll in and complete the undergraduate minor in cybersecurity;
  • Apply for and be accepted into an accelerated BS/MS program in ECE or CS;
  • Meet graduate-level security coursework requirements by taking ECE/CS 5560 and at least one other security-focused course;
  • Complete BS and MS within three years of starting the program;
  • Apply for, receive, and participate in internships each summer with a federal agency or lab; and
  • Apply for, receive, and accept a full-time position with a federal agency or lab upon completion of MS, and complete three years of service at that organization.
  • Complete the CyberCorps Service Agreement (please carefully review this legal document)

Program Point of Contact

Dr. Ingrid Burbey
sfs@vt.edu


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