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Critical Infrastructure Assurance Office (CIAO)

Scholarship for Service ~ Frequently Asked Questions Header - image

General Information

  1. What is SFS and what is its purpose?

  2. How do I find out more information about the SFS program and how to participate?

  3. When will the first students enter the SFS program?

  4. Who will be allowed to participate in the SFS program?

  5. What evidence exists to suggest that the SFS program will work?

  6. Does this program benefit anyone else besides the Federal Government?

Student Related Issues

  1. How can students apply and be selected for the program?

  2. What student costs are paid for by the SFS program (e.g., tuition, books, room/board, travel, etc.)?

  3. Can students apply for the program if they are not enrolled in an SFS-designated college or university?

  4. Will students be allowed to select what Federal Department and Agencies they will work for?

  5. How many years of service are required for students enrolled in the SFS program?

  6. Will students become employees of the Federal Government?  If so, will SFS students have access to Federal benefits  (e.g., health, training, etc.)?

  7. What professional development opportunities exist for  students enrolled in the SFS program?

  8. What happens if a SFS student does not fulfill academic  or service requirements of the program?

  9. Will students be required to meet specific requirements above and beyond those of the college or university?

  10. Will the SFS program prepare students for career opportunities  with advancement potential?

  11. What resources will be made available to students to help  them succeed?

Education Institution-Related Issues

  1. How will colleges and universities be selected for participation  in the SFS program?

  2. How does the National Security Agency (NSA) designation as a  Center for Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education (CAEIAE) relate to the SFS program?

  3. Will the SFS program include Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions, and Tribal Institutions?

  4. How can colleges or universities that either do not currently have IA programs or are currently developing programs participate?

Federal Department / Agency-Related Issues

  1. How do Federal Departments and Agencies participate in the SFS program?

  2. Who will be responsible for overseeing and managing the program?

Other SFS Issues

  1. I am a student at a local university.  How can I apply for the scholarships?

  2. I am a high school student interested in computer science.  What schools do I need to apply to for eligibility for the scholarships?  Which schools have these programs?

  3. How can the non-certified CAE/IAE institutions demonstrate equivalency on their proposals?  How will this be determined in the review process?

  4. Are community or two-year colleges eligible for the SFS grants?

  5. Are programs in studies other than computer science eligible for the SFS grants?

  6. Our university offers an information assurance certification program rather than a degree program.  Are we eligible for the SFS program?

  7. How will OPM manage the federal employment of the students?  Once I receive the scholarship must I become a federal employee?  Does the selection of a summer internship placement also dictate my employment agency upon graduation?

  8. Our institution is considering collaborating with another institution on a faculty development SFS proposal.  Is this advisable?  Can we each receive awards or are we limited to $200,000 for our effort?

  9. How can federal agencies qualify to receive the scholarship students as interns and future employees?  Who do we need to contact about this?

  10. Are Government employees eligible for SFS scholarships?

  11. Will military reservists not on active duty be eligible for scholarships?  (or, will any special categories of people be excluded, i.e., such as required U.S. citizenship)

General Information

  1. What is SFS and what is its purpose?

    The SFS program is a Federal government-wide initiative to recruit highly skilled individuals with information assurance educational backgrounds.  The program will provide scholarships to students adding an information assurance emphasis to their studies, in return for their service to the Federal Government.

  2. How do I find out more information about the SFS program and how to participate?

    Students who are interested in learning more about this program and how to participate are encouraged to monitor the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) web site at http://www.opm.gov/.  Educational institutions should monitor the National Science Foundation (NSF) web site at http://www.nsf.gov/ for additional information.  Material at these websites will be posted when program funding is available and program planning has been completed.

  3. When will the first students enter the SFS program?

    The SFS target goal is for students to enter the SFS program in Fall of 2001.

  4. Who will be allowed to participate in the SFS program?

    All students enrolled in academic programs at colleges or universities that have been designated by the NSF to receive SFS grant funds are eligible to apply for the program.

  5. What evidence exists to suggest that the SFS program will work?

    The SFS program is modeled after other similarly successful and effective programs in existence today, such as the Presidential Management Intern Program and the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program.  ROTC has produced a steady stream of successful, dedicated officers who have broad educations and motivation for Government service.  Also, the program can attract many qualified but disadvantaged students that do not have the financial resources to complete their degrees without assistance.

  6. Does this program benefit anyone else besides the Federal Government?

    Yes.  Aside from benefiting the Federal Government, the SFS program benefits our nation in a variety of ways, such as:

    ~ Fostering public-academia partnerships to increase expertise, increase public and private availability of skilled IT professionals and increase security literacy among all citizens

    ~ Underrepresented and disadvantaged students will benefit from an outreach effort included in the program by providing funding, professional opportunities, and experiences to students who would have otherwise never been afforded such opportunities.

Student Related Issues

  1. How can students apply and be selected for the program?

    Students must meet the basic requirements of their colleges and/or universities—recognized as SFS institutions — as well as Federal requirements currently being developed.  After the college/university completes the initial screening process, OPM will administer an assessment to evaluate each student’s competencies across a broad spectrum of categories.  The Federal Government through OPM makes the final selection of students.

  2. What student costs are paid for by the SFS program (e.g., tuition, books, room/board, travel, etc.)?

    The SFS program offers tuition for junior and senior academic years of undergraduate study or two years master level study, payment for summer employment, and a living stipend.  Additionally, the SFS program will provide benefits for costs associated with Federally developed conferences and seminars.

  3. Can students apply for the program if they are not enrolled in an SFS-designated college or university?

    Students are only eligible to apply for the SFS program if they are enrolled in an SFS-designated college or university, or are enrolled at an institution that is a member of an approved consortium or partnership involving an SFS-designated college or university.

  4. Will students be allowed to select what Federal Department and Agencies they will work for?

    Yes, to the extent possible.  The goal of the SFS program is to provide personal choice to students while offering Federal Departments and Agencies flexibility in selecting students.  Students will be able to request the Federal Departments and Agencies for whom they would like to work.  The final selection and placement of students within the Federal Government is dependent upon the student having the qualifications necessary to meet specific jobs, interviews with the Departments and Agencies, and the specific job openings and needs of the Departments and Agencies.  It is the goal of the SFS program to best match student requests with Federal needs.

  5. How many years of service are required for students enrolled in the SFS program?

    The ratio of service commitment to scholarship benefit is to be one year service per year of scholarship.

  6. Will students become employees of the Federal Government?  If so, will SFS students have access to Federal benefits (e.g., health, training, etc.)?

    All SFS program participants will become employees of the Federal Government upon acceptance of their offers to participate in the scholarship program.  However, since the SFS students are not actively working within a Federal Department or Agency and are not receiving wages, generally they will not receive Federal benefits.

  7. What professional development opportunities exist for students enrolled in the SFS program?

    The SFS program offers a number of different professional development opportunities to students ranging from summer internships, access to the CITE program training to participation in conferences and seminars.  Additionally, students will be assigned a mentor from within the Federal Government to guide and advise them on their professional development.

  8. What happens if a SFS student does not fulfill the academic or service requirements of the program?

    All programs that provide education in return for a service commitment confront the non-graduation problem.  SFS will be consistent with the successful repayment practices of other service programs.

  9. Will students be required to meet specific requirements above and beyond those of the college or university?

    Yes.  The student will have professional development requirements to fulfill including participation in internships, attendance at Federally sponsored conferences and/or seminars, and the fulfillment of training courses providing training in specialized IA fields.

  10. Will the SFS program prepare students for career opportunities with advancement potential?

    Yes.  The students participating in the SFS program are considered part of the elite cadre of IA professionals within the Federal Government.  SFS participants will have the opportunity for continuous training and development of skills, providing each student with career advancement potential.

  11. What resources will be made available to students to help them succeed?

    Colleges or universities will be required to provide student resources at the college/university site.  It is expected that grantee institutions will provide the student-support infrastructure that is necessary for the successful graduation of scholarship recipients.  Such an infrastructure would include, for example:

    ~ Recruitment of students, with special consideration to groups underrepresented in information assurance specialty fields (e.g., women, racial and ethnic minorities, and persons with disabilities)

    ~ Academic support and mentoring to support the student in making progress toward the degree, and to prepare the student for the workplace

    ~ Application-oriented experiences to increase the student’s understanding of information assurance needs and their relationship to education preparation.

Education Institution-Related Issues

  1. How will colleges and universities be selected for participation in the SFS program?

    The NSF will issue a grant program announcement in Summer/Fall of 2000.  Academic institutions will have the opportunity to submit a proposal, in response to the criteria in the program announcement, to receive SFS grant funding from the NSF.  The NSF will make the award decision.  A peer review team comprised of individuals representing NSF and the Federal IA community will perform the review of university applicants and recommend grant award winners.

  2. How does the National Security Agency (NSA) designation as a Center for Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education (CAEIAE) relate to the SFS program?

    The NSA CAEIAE program is a separate ongoing program.  However, the NSA program has laid the foundation for identifying educational institutions with academic programs in information assurance that meet Federal standards.  The NSA program is recognized as the best model currently available that the SFS program can use to develop its processes and criteria for selecting universities.

  3. Will the SFS program include Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions, and Tribal Institutions?

    Yes.  Certain amount of funds will be reserved for minority institutions.  Also, partnerships of other institutions with Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions, and Tribal Colleges will be encouraged.  A specific set-aside will be made to these educational institutions.  Moreover, the SFS program strongly encourages partnerships among other institutions and historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions, and Tribal Colleges.

  4. How can colleges or universities that either do not currently have IA programs or are currently developing programs participate?

    Colleges and universities that do not currently have IA programs or are in the process of developing programs are encouraged to participate through partnerships or consortiums with institutions that have existing programs.  Such partnerships and consortium proposals must be approved for inclusion in the SFS program.

Federal Department / Agency-Related Issues

  1. How do Federal Departments and Agencies participate in the SFS program?

    Through interagency committees such as the CIO Council, HRTC, and CICG, departments and agencies will be involved in the development of the SFS Program and identification of the occupational competencies required to protect their information systems.  Departments and Agencies will be involved in an on-going dialogue with the program office to successfully implement this program through summer employment and internship opportunities as well as placement of SFS graduates.

  2. Who will be responsible for overseeing and managing the program?

    The National Science Foundation (NSF) will manage the SFS program and award grants to educational institutions.  The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) will be responsible for selecting students and placing them in Federal positions.  The National Security Agency (NSA) has a major support role.  The Critical Infrastructure Coordination Group plays an important role in managing the initiative.

Other SFS Issues

  1. I am a student at a local university.  How can I apply for the scholarships?

    The SFS program makes awards to institutions rather than to individuals.  The institutions receiving the awards establish a competitive process whereby qualified students apply for the scholarships.  Thus, you will need to check with awardee institutions on the criteria and application process.  Some of the scholarships will be for undergraduate students and some for graduate students.

    These institutions are not yet known.  Proposals for scholarship programs are due to arrive at the National Science Foundation (NSF) by January 24, 2001.  The awards should be made by June 2001.  Scholarships will be available by fall 2001.  Check NSF's SFS Web site (http://www.ehr.nsf.gov/ehr/due/programs/sfs/) for an announcement of these awards.

  2. I am a high school student interested in computer science.  What schools do I need to apply to for eligibility for the scholarships?  Which schools have these programs?

    Scholarships in the SFS program are awarded by institutions for students in their last two years of their program of study.  They are awarded on a competitive basis from a pool of applicants to the university.  Since the first university awards will not be made until the spring of 2001, it is not yet known which institutions will have the scholarships to offer to students.

    Students interested in entering programs with a specialization in information assurance/computer security can check the National Security Agency's Web site (http://www.nsa.gov/isso/programs/nietp/newspg1.htm) for a listing of programs certified as Centers of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education to locate some institutions that offer programs in this area.  (There is no guarantee listed universities will have SFS funds available, however.)

    In addition, students might also check the Smart Student Guide to Financial Aid (http://www.finaid.com) for general information on financial aid and scholarships for college studies.

  3. How can the non-certified CAE/IAE institutions demonstrate equivalency on their proposals?  How will this be determined in the review process?

    Institutions that are not CAE/IAE certified must include documentation of equivalency in their proposals.  They should check the NSA Web site for the CAE/IAE criteria and formulate their documentation to respond to the criteria as listed.

    The proposals will be peer reviewed by individuals who have expertise in this field.  At the time of review, it will be up to the reviewers to determine equivalency based on the documentation provided in the proposal.

  4. Are community or two-year colleges eligible for the SFS grants?

    No, at this time the program focuses on the last two years of undergraduate study and graduate study.  This includes institutions with four-year undergraduate degrees or graduate degrees in computer security and information assurance.

  5. Are programs in studies other than computer science eligible for the SFS grants?

    Yes, there are already programs in areas other than computer science that have CAE/IAE certification.  Information Assurance specialists are now needed in many fields, such as accounting and criminal justice, and management information systems.  Proposals from fields other than computer science are eligible if an emphasis on information assurance is integral to the program.

  6. Our university offers an information assurance certification program rather than a degree program.  Are we eligible for the SFS program?

    The program currently focuses on funding to institutions for full undergraduate or graduate degree programs.  Your institution could be eligible for the Institutional Development track of the SFS program if you submit a proposal that seeks to develop a full undergraduate degree.

  7. How will OPM manage the federal employment of the students?  Once I receive the scholarship must I become a federal employee?  Does the selection of a summer internship placement also dictate my employment agency upon graduation?

    OPM will review the list of scholarship candidates from each institution to ensure that the candidates are eligible for federal employment.  OPM will work with the institutions on student placements for summer internships and federal jobs upon graduation.  Once you receive a scholarship you must become a federal employee.  Scholarship recipients will be required to complete an employment service agreement that will require one year of post graduation government service for every year the scholarship is granted.  This will most frequently result in two years of government service.  If the student does not fulfill the service requirement, unless involuntarily separated without personal cause (e.g., reduction in force, lack of funding for the position), they will be required to make reimbursement of the scholarship monies to the Department of Treasury.  The selection of summer internship placement does not necessarily dictate the employing agency upon graduation.  However, selection by an employing agency may be influenced or determined by performance during the internship experience.

  8. Our institution is considering collaborating with another institution on a faculty development SFS proposal.  Is this advisable?  Can we each receive awards or are we limited to $200,000 for our effort?

    The National Science Foundation is strongly committed to helping as many institutions as possible with these funds.  Collaborations are encouraged, particularly those with historically black colleges and universities and other under-represented groups.  If institutions submit collaborative proposals with each submitting a proposal, each can receive funding up to the $200,000 maximum for the Faculty Development and Institutional Development tracks.

  9. How can federal agencies qualify to receive the scholarship students as interns and future employees?  Who do we need to contact about this?

    At this point, no determinations about possible placements for the students have been made.  However, any federal agency that has positions dealing with information assurance/computer security should be eligible to receive students under this program.  OPM, working with agency Chief Information Officers and Personnel Officers, will develop guidelines at a future date.

  10. Are Government employees eligible for SFS scholarships?

    Civilian Federal Government employees could be eligible for the scholarships.  However, there would be serious employment decisions that the employee would need to make at the time a scholarship was offered.  These relate to permanent employment status, fulfilling program requirements such as the summer internship, and eventual placement in a Cyber Service position.

    Training opportunities in the information assurance specialty are currently available to government employees.  Please check with your agency human resources officer or OPM about other available programs.

  11. Will military reservists not on active duty be eligible for scholarships?  (or, will any special categories of people be excluded, i.e., such as required U.S. citizenship)

    Military reservists not on active duty are eligible for scholarships provided they meet the requirements of the Scholarship for Service program, which include enrollment at an institution that is participating in the scholarship program, U.S. citizenship, and meeting the internship requirements.  Additional eligible requirements may be imposed by the educational institutions or employing agencies.
 
Last updated: December 28, 2001
Page created: January 28, 2001
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