CyberCorps® Scholarship for Service (SFS) at Carnegie Mellon University
Answer the nation's call for cybersecurity professionals as an SFS scholar at CMU.
As a leader in cybersecurity research and education, Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) is proud to be a longstanding participant in the CyberCorps Scholarship for Service (SFS) program.
Funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and co-sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the SFS program gives students from participating organizations scholarship funds in exchange for service in the federal government for a period equivalent to the length of their scholarship.
Through rigorous, interdisciplinary academics and co-curricular experiences, SFS@CMU graduates are uniquely prepared for success in the government's cybersecurity workforce.
Learn more about the SFS Program
Which CMU programs are eligible for SFS@CMU?
The M.S. in Information Security (MSIS) program in the Information Networking Institute (INI) meets the SFS criteria. All eligible students admitted to the MSIS program will be contacted directly, via email, with SFS application information, deadlines and instructions.
Students enrolled full-time in a CMU graduate program focused on cybersecurity may also have the opportunity to participate in the SFS@CMU program.
The M.S. in Information Security (MSIS) program offered by the Information Networking Institute (INI) meets SFS criteria
Dr. Dena Haritos Tsamitis,
Principal Investigator (PI) of SFS@CMU
Dena is the director of the Information Networking Institute (INI) and founding director of education of Carnegie Mellon CyLab. As the PI of SFS@CMU, Dena oversees and makes all decisions for the program, including the selection of award recipients, programmatic oversight and approval of job offers.
About the Scholarship
Am I eligible for the SFS?
To be considered for the SFS funding, you must be a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States. In addition, SFS@CMU students must also be:
- Enrolled full-time in the M.S. in Information Security (MSIS) program
- Eligible for federal employment
- Able to obtain a security clearance
Receive full financial assistance for graduate school, including:
- A full-tuition scholarship
- An academic year stipend of $37,000 per year ($18,500 per semester)
- Up to $4,000 per year for professional development, including the SFS Job Fair, travel, professional certifications, etc.
Service Obligation
In return for their scholarships, recipients must agree to work after graduation for an eligible employer in a position related to cybersecurity for a period equal to the length of the scholarship.
Next Steps
- Indicate interest in funding on INI application.
- By answering yes, you will receive access to the "Request for Funding Assistance" form.
- On this form, check that you are interested in SFS.
- Complete a brief essay response.
- If admitted, the INI may be in touch with further information.
Why SFS@CMU?
Carnegie Mellon has been designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence.
These designations are based on cybersecurity programs at Carnegie Mellon:
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Information Assurance/Cyber Defense Education (CAE-IA/CD)
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Information Assurance/Cyber Defense Research (CAE-R)
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Cyber Operations (CAE-CO)* Designation is for INI's MSIS degree program only
Collaborate with top faculty and researchers at Carnegie Mellon.
- Gain a rigorous, interdisciplinary education through coursework in engineering, computer science, business, management and policy from Carnegie Mellon's top-ranked colleges.
- Engage with a dynamic and innovative campus community of thinkers, leaders and doers in cybersecurity.
- Hone your knowledge and practice essential skills through hands-on research opportunities with expert faculty.
Build relationships and prepare for critical work in government service.
- Attend technical talks given by representatives from government agencies, FFRDCs and national laboratories through the SFS Seminar, a core component of the SFS@CMU program.
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Enhance your critical thinking and decision making skills through required coursework in ethics and policy, and by completing a hands-on cybersecurity project.
- Access a vibrant community of SFS@CMU alumni, many of whom return to campus to recruit talented SFS students.
"What makes the CMU SFS program unique is that it opens the door to work on large scale, meaningful projects in the government which have impact on the entire country. The SFS program provided me with invaluable connections inside government organizations which led to multiple opportunities to work on very interesting projects."
- Christopher, Class of 2013
Additional Resources
- CyberCorps: Scholarship for Service: Frequently Asked Questions about the SFS program.
- National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education: Resource for building a resume based on the NICE framework.
- Current SFS Student Handbook
Contact Us
Prospective and Current SFS@CMU Students:
Email SFS@CMU Program