Requirements
Students who are interested in applying for the CREST Scholarship for Service (SFS) Program at USF must be:
- US Citizen or Permanent resident*
- Undergraduate, Master’s, or PhD students in the following cybersecurity majors:
- College of Engineering: BSCS, BSCpE, BSCyS, BSEE, BSIT, MSCS, MSCpE, MSEE, MSCyS, Ph.D. (CSE), Ph.D. (EE)
- Muma College of Business: BS in BA&IS, MS in BA&IS, BS in IACM, Ph.D. (Data Analytics)
- Completed 60 or more credits (of the required 120) in their undergraduate degree program by the start of the Fall semester (for undergraduate scholarship)
- Attending USF on a full-time basis while receiving the CREST scholarship
- Already accepted or admitted to USF
- Competitive students with a strong GPA of 3.25 or higher on 4.0 scale (maintain at least a 3.25 in subsequent years)
- Actively involved in cybersecurity student organizations, competitions, research, or other activities
- Able to meet selection criteria for employment in executive branch of US Federal government**. Final job placement may require a security clearance* and SFS students may be required to undergo a background investigation to obtain clearance.
- Is in good standing with USF (e.g., no violations of USF’s Academic Integrity & Ethics, or other student policies and maintains no violations throughout the program)
Obligations
- Adhere to the requirements of the CREST SFS program at USF
- Maintain a specified GPA
- Attending USF on a full-time basis while receiving the scholarship
- Attend the CyberCorp® Scholarship for Service Job Fair in Washington, D.C. in January of each year
- After graduation, work for an approved U.S. Federal government organization for a period equal to the length of the scholarship*
- Complete a degree program at USF on time through a plan of study with a significant focus on cybersecurity
- Participate research and academic development meetings, seminars, conferences, and other SFS program related activities
- Meet with the assigned faculty mentor periodically
- Reimburse the United States if you withdraw from the program or fail to qualify for government employment