Information Assurance Scholarships Available through the Department of Defense!

Students selected for the IASP recruitment program are awarded funding for tuition, required books, fees, labs, equipment and a stipend to cover room and board. Currently, the stipend to cover room and board expenses for undergraduates is $14,000 and for graduate students is $19,000 per academic year; disabled students may receive additional allowances. During breaks in their academic studies, IA scholars will receive progressive, hands-on experience through paid internships at select DoD organizations.

In exchange for scholarship funding, students incur a service commitment which is typically fulfilled as a permanent, full–time DoD civilian employee and commences upon graduation. The obligation period is one year of service for each year, or partial year of scholarship received, in addition to an internship, if applicable. Individuals who choose military service as their payback commitment serve on active duty for a minimum of four years.

> To learn more, DOWNLOAD SCHOLARSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT

> To apply, DOWNLOAD NEW STUDENT APPLICATION

Students should submit completed application forms for faculty evaluation.  Strong applicants are then recommended by Metropolitan State University for acceptance in the Scholarship Program.  DROP OFF completed application forms on the 4th floor of the MEC Building in the MSU Minneapolis Campus. (If you have already emailed this and received confirmation, you do not have to drop off your application; If you have not already emailed and received confirmation, you need to drop off your application packet) 

Questions? Call 612.659.7226 (preferred) or email Firasat.Khan@metrostate.edu NO LATER THAN 5PM, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2012. 

QUESTIONS? Visit the FAQ page at http://dodcio.defense.gov/sites/iasp2/faqs.shtml and you may direct any further questions related to these scholarships to the above address.

You are eligible to apply if you are:

• 18 years of age or older and a U.S. citizen at time of application.
• Currently enrolled at, or accepted for enrollment, at a Metropolitan State University.
• Pursuing a course of study and/or have declared a major in one of the scientific, technical, or managerial disciplines related to computer and network security, with a concentration in an information assurance function. For these purposes the disciplines related to computer and network security include such areas as: biometrics, cyber operations, digital and multimedia forensics, electrical engineering, electronics engineering, computer crime investigations, computer and computer information science, computer engineering, software engineering, computer programming, computer systems analysis, database administration, data management, information security (assurance), network management, mathematics and business management or administration.
• For undergraduate applicants, must have completed at least the first two years of an undergraduate degree program by August, 2012 and be eligible to begin either the third or fourth year of the degree. GPA must be at least a 3.2 on a 4.0 scale (or an analogous rank based on a comparable scale).
• For graduate applicants, must be eligible to begin the first or second year of a master’s degree program; pursue doctoral studies; or complete a graduate Information Assurance certificate program. GPA must be at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale (or an analogous rank based on a comparable scale).
• Earn recommendation by Metropolitan State University.  MSU will forward recommended applicants for consideration of the scholarship award.
• Able to obtain a security clearance.

Department of Defense site for more information: http://dodcio.defense.gov/sites/iasp2/pro_recruit.shtml