In an effort to ward off cyberattacks by foreign adversaries, U.S. Sen. Kristen Gillibrand is expanding the Cyber Service Academy scholarship program, which is available at Suffolk County Community College in Selden, and at other campuses across New York State.
“My Cyber Service Academy scholarship addresses a dangerous shortage in cyber personnel in the public sector while also targeting the skyrocketing cost of higher education,” Gillibrand said in a statement.
“The program will help train a new generation of cyber professionals, allow them to graduate debt free, and provide them the opportunity to serve in the Department of Defense or the Intelligence Community after graduating,” she added. “There are 20 eligible institutions in New York State alone and I encourage all interested high schoolers to apply at gillibrand.senate.gov/cyberacademy on or before February 1st.”
The scholarship covers the full cost of tuition, required textbooks, fees (including healthcare), a one-time computer purchase, travel to attend cyber conferences, and room and board. The room and board stipend ranges from $22,000 a year for community college students, and up to $32,000 a year for graduate students.
Applicants must be either enrolled or accepted for enrollment at an eligible institution to qualify for the Cyber Service Academy program. The deadline to apply for the next academic year is Feb. 1, 2024.
Academy students will be required to serve in the U.S. Department of Defense or in the U.S. Intelligence Community for one year per year of scholarship, up to five years. They are also expected to serve in internships during school breaks.
The expanded program mandates that the DoD provide 1,000 scholarships by the 2025-26 school year and allow up to 10% of Cyber Service Academy graduates to serve in the Intelligence Community after graduation.
Colleges and universities across the state offer the program.
Public universities include Binghamton University, SUNY Albany, SUNY Buffalo and SUNY Canton
Private universities include Excelsior College, Fordham University, Mercy College, New York Institute of Technology, New York University, Pace University, Rochester Institute of Technology, St. John’s University, Syracuse University, The College of Westchester and Utica University
Community colleges include Mohawk Valley Community College, Rockland Community College, Suffolk County Community College and Westchester Community College.
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