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Computer Science majors in the cybersecurity concentration who are U.S. Citizens or permanent residents are eligible to apply for this scholarship (for studies during the Academic Year 2026-2027), if they fall into one of three categories:

• Rising Juniors, or Seniors pursuing a B.S. degree with a 3.5 GPA in Computer Science and 3.2 GPA overall
• Students in their first or second year of a M.S. degree with a 3.5 GPA
• Students pursuing a Ph.D. degree

This scholarship is competitive and will only be awarded based on grant funding availability.  Applicants will apply via a DoW portal located at .  This solicitation is for the 2025-2026 academic year only.  While subsequent years may be awarded, future awards are not guaranteed.  However, students currently in the DoW CSA program will receive priority the following year.

Students selected to participate in the DoW CSA will be required to sign a written agreement obligating them to work for a DoW agency as a civilian employee for one calendar year for each year of scholarship assistance. However, if a student applies for only one semester (or six months) of scholarship, they must still agree to work for a DoW agency for one year. This agreement is provided to the selecting agency for their records to ensure compliance with the service commitment. Students will also be required to serve in internship positions, if timing permits, with DoW organizations during the time they receive scholarship support, until they complete the course of study provided by the scholarship. These internships will be arranged by the DoW to occur during the summer or other breaks between school terms, as appropriate to the individual’s circumstances and Tennessee Tech's academic calendar. The internship does not count toward satisfying the period of obligated service incurred by accepting the CSA scholarship.  Students will be required to formally accept or decline the scholarship within 15 days of notification. Non-acceptance by this date will result in the scholarship being offered to the next available student.

Students will be required to complete a security investigation questionnaire to initiate the background investigation process in preparation for their internships, if applicable, and as a condition of future employment with the DoW. Drug tests or other suitability processing will occur as appropriate. Students will also be required to sign an agreement stating that they will accept assignments that require travel or a change of duty stations as interns or employees. Individuals who voluntarily terminate employment during intern appointments or before the end of the period of obligated service required by the terms of Chapter 112, title 10, Section 2200, United States Code, will be required to refund the United States, in whole or in part, the cost of the educational assistance provided to them. Web pages have been provided in the Application Background and Application Package for review of security clearances to assist both the PIs and the students in understanding these requirements before they apply.

An opportunity also exists for scholarship payback through military service. Individuals choosing to enlist or accept a commission to serve on active duty in one of the Military Services shall incur a service obligation of a minimum of 4 years on active duty in that Service upon graduation. The Military Services may establish a service obligation longer than 4 years, depending on the occupational specialty and type of enlistment or commissioning program selected.

Undergraduate scholarship recipients will be required to maintain an overall GPA of 3.2 (and 3.5 in their major) out of 4.0; graduate students will be required to maintain an overall GPA of 3.5 out of 4.0. 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 fulfill the service commitment upon graduation shall be required to reimburse the United States, in whole or in part, the cost of the financial assistance (scholarship) provided to them. Tennessee Tech will be responsible for monitoring student progress and will notify the DoW CSA Program Manager should any student scholar fail to attain the minimum academic standards required for continuing scholarship support.

Students selected as Cyber Scholars will receive the full cost of tuition, required fees, up to $1,000 for books/supplies/certifications, up to $1,650 for a laptop, and a stipend to cover room and board. The stipend levels are $29,000 for undergraduate students and $34,000 for graduate (Master’s/PhD) students. Awards will be made via a grant to the CAE institution. Selecting agencies will also provide sponsors who will maintain contact with the student during the scholarship period and facilitate the student’s entry into internships, if applicable, and eventually into DoD employment.

Except for small achievement awards, not to exceed $6,000 in any academic year, a student may not accept simultaneous remuneration from another scholarship or fellowship. Graduate programs may include a reasonable amount of teaching or similar activities that, in Tennessee Tech's opinion, contribute to the student’s academic progress; however, the development of students, not service to Tennessee Tech, will govern the assignment of these activities.

Applications must be submitted to the URL below by 12:00 p.m. EST on February 17, 2026.  

The temporary recruitment student application utilizes a Microsoft Form and will be processed in two parts. There is no login or account creation.   New Applicants will be encouraged to dedicate enough time to answer both parts in one sitting. Part 1 will ask the student to identify two email addresses: a personal address (e.g., .com or non-.edu address) and a .edu email address. Part 2 will ask the student to enter the same personal email address they used in Part 1.  This will allow our form to associate both parts with the same student.  To make this as painless for everyone (Applicant, Faculty Members, Agency Reps, DoW CSA Program Office), the following changes have been implemented:

• Unofficial Transcripts:  Applicants will submit unofficial transcripts to the DoW CSA Program Office directly.
  • Due date: 12:00 PM EST, February 17, 2026.
  • Email Subject Line Format: Applicant Full Name – Institution Name – Unofficial Transcripts
  • Email Address: osd.mc-alex.dod-cio.mbx.dod-csa@mail.mil
• One (1) Letter of Recommendation: Must be sent directly to the DoW CSA Program Office by the author, not the applicant. The letter should come from a current or most recent faculty member or supervisor who can attest to your potential for academic success, your cyber knowledge, and ability. The applicant is responsible for contacting the author and ensuring the letter is sent by the deadline. Letters sent by the applicant will not be accepted.
  • Due Date: 12:00 PM EST on 17 February 2026.
  • Email Subject Line Format: Applicant Full Name – Institution Name – Letter of Recommendation
  • Email Address: osd.mc-alex.dod-cio.mbx.dod-csa@mail.mil
• Competitions / Cyber Exercises / Capture-the-Flag Documentation: Applicants will submit any cyber competition data directly to the DoW CSA Program Office via email.
  • Due Date:  12:00 PM EST on 17 February 2026.
  • Email Subject Line Format:  Applicant Full Name – Institution Name – Competition Documentation
  • Email Address: osd.mc-alex.dod-cio.mbx.dod-csa@mail.mil

New Student Application Link:  

ALL ACTIVE SCHOLARS NEED TO RESPOND

• Unofficial Transcripts:  Applicants will submit unofficial transcripts to the DoW CSA Program Office directly.
  • Due date: 12:00 PM EST, February 17, 2026.
  • Email Subject Line Format: Applicant Full Name – Institution Name – Unofficial Transcripts
  • Email Address: osd.mc-alex.dod-cio.mbx.dod-csa@mail.mil
• One (1) Letter of Recommendation: Must be sent directly to the DoW CSA Program Office by the author, not the applicant. The letter should come from a current or most recent faculty member or supervisor who can attest to your potential for academic success, your cyber knowledge, and ability. The applicant is responsible for contacting the author and ensuring the letter is sent by the deadline. Letters sent by the applicant will not be accepted.
  • Due Date: 12:00 PM EST on 20 February 2026.
  • Email Subject Line Format: Applicant Full Name – Institution Name – Letter of Recommendation
  • Email Address: osd.mc-alex.dod-cio.mbx.dod-csa@mail.mil

New Student Application Link: