Scholarships

DoD Cyber Service Academy (DoD CSA)

Application Deadline: January 15 of every year for the following Fall term

The Department of Defense (DoD) Cyber Service Academy (DoD CSA) is authorized by Chapter 112 of title 10, United States Code, Section 2200. The purpose of the program is to support the recruitment of new cyber talent and the retention of current highly skilled professionals within the DoD cyber workforce. public.cyber.mil/wid/csa/

https://www.dodemergingtech.com/dod-programs/cyber-service-academy-csa/

Award Amount:

Undergraduate – full tuition, books, fees, health insurance, $27,000 stipend/yr + more
Graduate – full tuition, books, fees, health insurance, $32,000 stipend/yr + more

Requirements:

• Be 18 years of age or older.
• Be a citizen of the United States at the time of application. 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.
• Be enrolled (or accepted for enrollment) in one of the identified NSA/DHS Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) in Cyber Defense colleges. Nova Southeastern University is a recognized CAE since 2005 (https://infosec.nova.edu).
• Have completed (or by August of the coming academic year 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 year (or 2^nd term) of a Master’s degree program; or (c) admitted/pursue doctoral studies.
• Graduation date is not scheduled before the end of Winter term, the following year.

• Be pursuing a course of study and/or have a declared major in Information Assurance and Cybersecurity, Cybersecurity Management, Computer Science, Information Technology, Computer Engineering, Information Systems, or any other discipline in the NSU’s College of Computing and Engineering (undergraduate, MS or Ph.D. majors – all are verified with DoD as qualified), especially those that are disciplines related to cybersecurity or with a concentration in cybersecurity.
• Ability to obtain a security clearance. Before you may be awarded a scholarship or hired by DoD, you will be required to complete certain forms to initiate the security clearance process. Some of these forms will require that you reveal extensive information about your background. Review and understand the requirements prior to signing up to participate in the DoD CSA: https://www.dodemergingtech.com/dod-programs/cyber-service-academy-csa/background-investigations-and-clearances-for-dod-csa/
• Demonstrate your potential for academic success and fulfillment of degree requirements is substantial. Two recent letters of references are required with the application: (1) a letter of reference from a current faculty member who is fully knowledgeable of your potential for successful learning, your knowledge, and your ability; (2) an additional letter of reference from either a current or former faculty member, or a current or former supervisor who is fully knowledgeable of your potential for successful learning, your knowledge, and your ability.
• Updated Resume.
• Initial unofficial transcripts will be accepted for the applications from all the institutions of higher learning you have attended, including NSU (if you took courses already). Once offered the DoD CSA Scholarship, official (certified) *SEALED* transcripts from all the institutions of higher learning you have attended, including NSU (if you took courses already) will be required to be provided to DoD. Additional guidance will be provided once selected for the scholarship. 

Once in the program, students agree to:

• Sign a written agreement obligating you to work for the Department of Defense, as a civilian employee for one calendar year for each year of scholarship assistance.

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

• Submit to a security/background investigation (for internships and future DoD employment). Drug tests or other suitability processing will occur as appropriate.

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

Upon initial selection and once all prospective applicants have provided the required documentation (including official sealed printed transcripts of all prior academic institutions attended), the Principal Investigator (PI), Dr. Yair Levy, will conduct an interview and evaluation of each applicant prior to finalizing the application.

Notes:

• This scholarship is awarded annually for the Fall and Winter semesters.
• This scholarship is available to continuing students, but must be applied for annually.
• The number of scholarships awarded annually shall be dependent upon the funds authorized by DoD and the presence of candidates who meet the requirements.

Additional Information:

• Must attend an information session conducted every November of each year. Check https://infosec.nova.edu/news/ and NSU’s HandShake. (https://nova.joinhandshake.com/) during November for specific dates/times
• Must provide sealed transcripts of all prior academic institutions attended.
• Must request and fill the application file – provided yearly during early December by Dr. Yair Levy levyy@nova.edu (every year there is new application file provided by DoD)
• The application packet must be completed in its entirety when application is received.

Edward Lieblein Memorial Fund Scholarship (SLME)

Edward Lieblein, Ph.D., Dean Emeritus of NSU's Graduate School of Computer and Information Sciences (GSCIS), known now as the College of Computing and Engineering, proudly served as Dean of GSCIS for more than 16 years. The fund was created to honor Dr. Lieblein's service as dean and his service to our nation in the Office of the Secretary of Defense.

Application Deadline: August 1 (For Fall Semester)

November 1 (For Winter Semester)

Award Amount: Varies between $1000-$2000

Requirements:

• Be enrolled in a Master’s or Doctoral Program at NSU's College of Computing and Engineering.
• Be employed by a branch of the United States Federal Government.
• Submit a 500-word essay explaining how the your area of study contributes to your job in the public sector.
• Submit two letters of recommendation, preferably one from an academic professional and one from the your employer speaking to your commitment to public service.
• Have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 and be in good academic standing.

Notes:

• This scholarship is awarded annually for the Fall and Winter semesters.
• This scholarship is available to new and continuing students.
• The number of scholarships awarded annually is dependent upon the funds available in the Edward Lieblein Memorial Scholarship Fund and the presence of candidates who meet the requirements.
• One-time award (applied to tuition only).

Additional Information:

• Complete Online Application
• Submit all required documents to the College of Computing and Engineering via email, computingscholarships@nova.edu.
• The application packet must be completed in its entirety when submitted.

Professor Laurie Dringus Endowed Scholarship (CPDE)

NSU Alumnus, Harold Henke, Ph.D., created the Professor Laurie Dringus Endowed Scholarship to honor his distinguished and supportive adviser and professor.

Application Deadline:  August1 (For Fall Semester)

November 1 (For Winter Semester)

Award Amount: Varies between $1000-$2000

Requirements:

• Enrolled in a Master's or Doctoral Program at NSU's College of Computing and Engineering.
• Completed at least one semester at the College of Computing and Engineering.
• Have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 and be in good academic standing.
• Submit a 500-word essay describing how you foresee the award as an opportunity to study Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and how HCI will impact your career.
• Submit two letters of recommendation: one from an academic professional (CEC faculty preferable) and one from your employer, both supporting your interest in HCI.
• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the academic year in which you are applying and demonstrate financial need.

Notes:

• This scholarship is awarded annually for the Fall and Winter semesters.
• This scholarship is available to continuing students.
• The number of scholarships awarded annually is dependent upon the funds available in the Professor Dringus Scholarship Fund and the presence of candidates who meet the requirements.
• One-time award (applied to tuition only).

Additional Information:

• Complete Online Application
• Submit all required documents to the College of Computing and Engineering via email, computingscholarships@nova.edu.
• The application packet must be completed in its entirety when submitted.

Professor Trudy Abramson Endowed Scholarship (TASF)

Application Deadline: August 1 (For Fall Semester)

November 1 (For Winter Semester)

Award Amount: $1000

Requirements:

• Enrolled in a Doctoral Program at NSU's College of Computing and Engineering.
• Employed in the higher education information technology field, preferably at the manager level.
• Submit a 500-word essay explaining how the applicant’s area of study contributes to his/her job.
• Submit two letters of recommendation. Preferably one from an academic professional and one from the applicant’s employer.
• Must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5 and be in good academic standing.

Notes:

• This scholarship is awarded annually for the Fall and Winter semesters.
• This scholarship is available to continuing students.
• The number of scholarships awarded annually is dependent upon the funds available in the Professor Trudy Abramson Fund and the presence of candidates who meet the requirements.
• One-time award (applied to tuition only).

How to Submit:

• Complete Online Application
• Submit all required documents to the College of Computing and Engineering via email, computingscholarships@nova.edu. 
• The application package must be completed in its entirely when submitted.

Next Steps

• Complete and submit application for one or as many scholarships you are eligible for with this Online Application
• Submit all required documents to the College of Computing and Engineering via email, computingscholarships@nova.edu.
• The application packet must be completed in its entirety when submitted.
• Please note, the DoD Cyber Scholarship Program - (DoD-CySP) has its own application and process. Please view the details in the descriptions above. 

If you have any questions about these scholarships, please contact us at computingscholarships@nova.edu.