WHAT IS SFS?

Scholarship For Service (SFS) is a unique program designed to increase and strengthen the cadre of federal information assurance professionals that protect the government's critical information infrastructure. This program provides scholarships that fully fund the typical costs that students pay for books, tuition, and room and board while attending an approved institution of higher learning. Additionally, participants receive stipends of up to $8,000 for undergraduate and $12,000 for graduate students. While still in school, students funded for more than a year will also serve a paid internship at a Federal agency. The agency may offer students other paid employment while they are on scholarship provided it does not interfere with their studies. In exchange for the scholarship (including the stipend), students agree to work for the Federal Government for a period equivalent to the length of the scholarship or one year, whichever is longer. The generous nature of the SFS program makes the Federal Government the employer of choice for students planning to pursue a career in the field of information assurance.

The scholarships are funded through grants awarded by the National Science Foundation. Institutions of higher learning certified as Centers of Academic Excellence for Information Assurance Education (CAE/IAE) and institutions with information assurance programs deemed "equivalent" to those of CAE/IAE-certified schools vie for funds through a grant solicitation/award process. Each year, only a handful of institutions (generally, institutions whose proposals attest to the superior nature of their information assurance programs) are provided grants.

In order to participate in the Scholarship For Service Program, students MUST attend a participating institution. Students are selected based on merit and take classes that provide intensive training in the information assurance field, and are then able to apply what they learn to real world work experiences. Inquiries concerning the program may be emailed to the SFS Program Office at sfs@opm.gov. You may also wish to visit the Frequently Asked Questions for Students page on this web site. To inquire about entering the SFS program at a participating institution, contact the Principal Investigator (Program Administrator) at the university/college you would like to attend. You may also wish to contact that institution's registrar's office to obtain information concerning admission requirements.