Eligibility 

To be considered for the Service for Cyber Scholarship, applicants must:

• Be a senior in high school and an Arizona resident at the time of submission
• Pursue a degree in cybersecurity, information technology, computer science, information security, or another related cyber/technology program (subject to the approval of the Scholarship Application Evaluation Committee)
• Participate in ROTC or similar education program that includes service in the U.S. Armed Forces
• Demonstrate financial need by documenting an Expected Family Contribution of $10,000 or less on the FAFSA; a low to moderate parent adjusted gross income; or other extenuating financial circumstances
• Achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale) OR provide sufficient explanation of circumstances contributing to a lower GPA (Examples: family commitments, illness, or distress)

Required Documents

All Service for Cyber Scholarship applicants must submit a completed application accompanied by the following documents:

• Transcripts: Applicants must submit transcripts from their current or most recently attended high school (secondary school). Unofficial copies of transcripts – including those that have been downloaded, screenshot, or printed and scanned directly from the school’s website – are acceptable for submission of the application. However, we must receive official transcripts directly from the applicant’s school before any scholarship funds can be released to recipients.
• Resume: Include a detailed resume highlighting the applicant’s involvement in school, community, and professional activities.
• FAFSA: Include a completed FAFSA application demonstrating financial need.
• Recommendation: One (1) recommendation is required. It must be received prior to the submission of the application. NOTE: Family members and fellow students are not eligible to submit recommendations.
• Personal Essay: Applicants must submit a written (300 to 500 words) essay addressing some of the following questions or prompts:
  • Why should you be chosen to receive a cybersecurity scholarship and what makes you stand out from your peers?
  • How will service in the military help you achieve your personal or professional goals?
  • Describe your personal background.
  • What – or who – inspired you to pursue a career in cybersecurity?
  • What – or who – has inspired you to consider military service?
  • What attributes do you have that will help you succeed in the information security industry?
  • What are your goals for your professional career?
  • What, if any, contributions have you already made to the cybersecurity field (Examples: volunteer work, hobbies or extracurricular activities, articles, etc.)?
  • Describe any issues or circumstances that may demonstrate why you need the scholarship.

Additional Guidelines

All applications and supporting materials must be submitted in the format specified on the application form. 

Each submitted item must be complete and verified prior to any consideration by the Scholarship Application Evaluation Committee. 

Only completed applications – with all required supporting materials – received by the scholarship deadline will be considered. 

Finalist Interview

Award finalists will be required to complete an interview – by phone, in person, or video conference – with the Scholarship Application Evaluation Committee prior to final selection. Finalists will be contacted directly for notification and scheduling of the interview. 

Selection Process

All applications completed and submitted by the scholarship deadline will receive full an fair consideration by the Scholarship Application Evaluation Committee.

In making award decisions, the committee will score each application based on the quality of the content provided. The committee will also consider applicants’ academic performance and the alignment of their coursework and activities with the approved fields of study.

All decisions by the Scholarship Application Evaluation Committee are final. Any attempts by applicants to lobby or persuade members of the committee during the selection process will result in immediate disqualification.

Terms and Conditions

Service for Cyber Scholarship awards must be spent on tuition, fees, books, supplies and equipment required for coursework in an eligible field of study at an accredited college or university.

Unless otherwise specified, scholarship recipients can recieve awards for a maximum of eight (8) semesters (four academic years).

To remain eligible for subsequent award payments, scholarship recipients must be enrolled full-time (12 university credit hours or the equivalent in a professional certification program) and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Prior to the release of any award payment, recipients must provide written proof of enrollment in an eligible program. Proof of enrollment must be sent directly to AZ Cyber Initiative from the institution and document the following:

• Enrollment in the fall semester of the application year
• Acceptance and in enrollment in ROTC or equivalent program
• Number of credits for which student is enrolled
• Program of study
• Student’s current cumulative GPA

Award payments will be made by check and sent on the recipient’s behalf to the institution where they are enrolled.