Frequently
Asked Questions Concerning Cyber Operations (CO) Scholarships at AFIT
- What kind of scholarships do you offer?
- What
does the scholarship pay?
- How
do I apply for a scholarship?
- What
are the qualifications to apply?
- Do you offer the Cyber Operations degree as a distance learning program?
- Do you offer any certificate programs?
- If
I get a scholarship, where would I be employed?
- Where
can I learn more about these scholarships?
- If
I take this scholarship – what course work obligations come with
it?
- Do I have to have a security clearance?
- What happens if I fail to get a job with the government after I graduate?
- What happens to me in the summer with my required internship?
- Who
do I contact for more information about the program at AFIT?
- What major do I
need to have to be in the scholarship program?
- Can I transfer into
the program from another university?
- For the health care allowance, how will I receive coverage?
- What is a typical course schedule?
- Am I permitted to have outside employment while enrolled in the CyberCorp program?
1. What is this scholarship?
The Air Force Institute of Technology at Wright-Patterson AFB, Dayton, OH provides a scholarship opportunity targeted to non-military students seeking a Masters
Degree in Cyber Operations. This is made possible from a grant through the National Science Foundation Scholarship for
Sevice (SFS) program.
2. What does
the scholarship pay?
$25,000 per year and covers full tuition, books, supplies, and fees.
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3. How do
I apply for a scholarship?
The SFS application form can be requested from our web site at http://www.afit.edu/CCR/CyberCorp. Up to 5 SFS scholarships are awarded each year.
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4. What are
the qualifications to apply?
To apply for the program, the applicant:
- Must have a bachelor’s degree or near completion, with a strong background in computer science and/or computer engineering
- Be proficient in software programming and code development
- Must have knowledge and application of Data structures, computer architecture & operating systems
- Be able to attend school full time throughout the 24 month program
- An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher
- GRE scores of 600 quantitative, 500 verbal
5. Do you offer the Cyber Operations degree as a distance learning program?
No, you must be enrolled as an on campus student to participate in our program.
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6. Do you offer any certificate programs?
We have two certificate programs based on the National Security Telecommunications and Information Systems Security (NSTISS) standard 4011 & 4012. The 4011 certificate is for Information Systems Security Professionals while the 4012 is for Senior Systems Managers.
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7. If I get
a scholarship, where would I be employed?
The location cannot be determined ahead of time. When you sign up for the SFS scholarship program, you are agreeing to serve where you are offered a position. You must be willing to do so. For those students in the SFS program, you must also apply for positions (both for summer employment and final employment) and you must be willing to relocate to where you are offered a job.
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8. Where
can I learn more about this scholarship?
SFS: http://www.sfs.opm.gov
9.
If I take this scholarship – what
course work obligations come with it?
You must complete your normal degree course work
offered at AFIT. This is an intense 24 month program in which
you will complete your Masters degree.
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10. Do
I have to have a security clearance?
You must be able to obtain a security clearance. We cannot determine ahead of time whether or not you will require a clearance for your job or at what level. If you accept the scholarship and later fail to pass the requirements for a clearance – you may be required to reimburse the government. There are many factors that are considered by the government in making security clearance determinations. If you have doubts in this regard, it would be best to speak with the contract person at AFIT for the scholarship program – see contact information at http://www.afit.edu/CCR.
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11. What
happens if I fail to get a job with the government after I graduate?
There are several possibilities here and they cannot be determined ahead of time. First and foremost, we work very hard to make sure that this does not happen. If it would occur, the government will make a determination on why the failure occurred. If the student is found at fault, the government has the right to recoup funds paid to the student through the scholarship program. An example of why a student may be found at fault might be if the student intentionally withheld information when accepting the scholarship that resulted in the denial of a clearance (e.g., felony convictions, drug involvement, collaboration with certain foreign governments, dual citizenship, or lack of citizenship). Another example might be refusing to interview with interested hiring agencies, refusal to accept a position when offered, refusal to cooperate in the hiring process, and other such actions.
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12. What happens
to me in the summer with my required internship?
You are expected to work in a security related position for the US Government of DoD during the summer. You will benefit in your studies through this experience as well as gain valuable insights into government service, establish work experience for yourself and build a positive relationship between you and the organization you are working for. You will work as a normal employee for the organization and will be expected to follow all the employment rules established for members of that organization including time and attendance policies, dress codes, internal operating procedures and so forth. For SFS students, this assignment may or may not be the final hiring organization.
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13. Who
do I contact for more information about the program at AFIT?http://www.afit.edu/CCR/contact.cfm
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14. What major
do I need to have to be in the scholarship program?
We
offer the scholarship opportunity to technical majors primarily in
Cyber Operations, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, and
Electrical Engineering. An undergraduate background in Computer
Science or closely related area is expected. You may not change
your emphasis area without the approval of the program coordinator
at AFIT.
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15. Can I
transfer into the program from another university?
You may apply for a scholarship at AFIT while at another University. If you are offered a scholarship, it will be contingent upon your acceptance at AFIT.
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16. For the health care allowance, how will I receive coverage?
The AFIT does not offer health insurance for civilian students. With your $13,000 housing/health care allowance, you are free to choose any health care provider available. One option is through a plan offered through an agreement with Wright State University. For information about this health plan please contact the Wright State Student Health Service at 937-775-2553.
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17. What is a typical course schedule?
Typically, courses are offered either 3 times a week for an hour or twice a week for 2 hours. A full-time student is enrolled in at least 3 courses (4 credits each, total 12 credit hours) per quarter.
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18. Am I permitted to have outside employment while enrolled in the CyberCorp program?
No, the CyberCorp program requires you attend school full time throughout the 18-24 month program.
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