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[Two Words]

I'm a computer science major and I was recently tipped off to a "Scholarship for Service" program run by the government for cyber security. I know a couple of people in the program and they've described it to me. The thing is, they say it isn't that competitive to get in, which makes no sense for the benefits given.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Benefits:
NSF SFS program full tuition and fees paid

NSF SFS program undergrad stipend (this is for fast track students for their senior year only): $20,000 per nine-month academic year

NSF SFS program MS student stipend: $32,000 per nine-month academic year

NSF SFS program PhD student stipend: $32,000 per nine-month academic year

NSF SFS program book allowances ($500 per semester)

NSF SFS program support for professional development ($3,000 per year)



Obligations:
You must be going for a CS MS with a specialization in Information Assurance.

3.2/4.0 minimum GPA.

You are not allowed to work during this time (This is why you are given the stipend)

After graduation, you must work for a government organization for however long you were in the program.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

So if I do this, I will be in it for two years and have to work for the government for two years. This seems too good to be true since I'd need to find a job regardless. Does anybody know of any offers like this that are similar? I feel like it is a no-brainer to jump on this. Is working for the government just that terrible or something?


https://www.sfs.opm.gov/

 

[egruntz]

This is legit. Had a cousin do this exact same thing. You looking to be a penetration tester? That's what my cousin was doing. Anyway, hop on this. This is what made me consider going to school for that... But then I took HTML/CSS/JavaScript/jQuery and realized the coding world isn't for me.

 

[Gnome]

Sounds pretty specific, so they probably want people who know for damn sure it's what they want.

 

[Two Words]

This is legit. Had a cousin do this exact same thing. You looking to be a penetration tester? That's what my cousin was doing. Anyway, hop on this. This is what made me consider going to school for that... But then I took HTML/CSS/JavaScript/jQuery and realized the coding world isn't for me.

How did your cousin describe the process of getting in? The requirements to get in seem pretty low and my friends made it sound like it's not that competitive to get in. That's the part of it that is so surprising to me.

 

[greepoman]

The government is just that desperate for people. One consideration is this may limit what areas you can move to after you graduate, so make sure you want to live in these areas.

 

[Two Words]

The government is just that desperate for people. One consideration is this may limit what areas you can move to after you graduate, so make sure you want to live in these areas.

Well I was already leaning towards majoring in Information Assurance. But the Master's degree program has you taking other classes too, so you can kinda specialize in Information Assurance and semi-specialize in another track.

 

[Kozak]

Welcome to Government jobs.

Minimal effort, Maximum benefit.

 

[greepoman]

Well I was already leaning towards majoring in Information Assurance. But the Master's degree program has you taking other classes too, so you can kinda specialize in Information Assurance and semi-specialize in another track.

I meant it would limit the physical areas...as in what cities you would have to live in. The other catch is that these jobs while probably pay decently with good benefits they wouldn't have the same advancement possibilities as someone in commercial. Sure you can just leave after time served but I think most people just get complacent and stay. That's kind of what they're counting on.

 

[Trojita]

It's so dumb for them to be pushing for MS' and PHD's when they should just be getting BS's and a workforce with experience faster.

 

[JohnsonUT]

After graduation, you must work for a government organization for however long you were in the program.

___________________________________________________________________________
https://www.sfs.opm.gov/

Is there also a guarantee of getting a job? What if nobody is hiring or you just can't get a role?

Also, this website is straight out of 2001.

 

[Darryl M R]

.gov is always legit when you see scholarship posting.

Welcome to government life. Easy cruising.

 

[Pau]

I can believe that a lot of people pass over those scholarships. I definitely have. They're typically for very specific degrees and you have to work for the sponsoring agency once you graduate.

 

[Barzul]

Hmm I'm one semester into a Masters in Cybersecurity. With an Information Assurance specialization nonetheless. Sitting at a 4.0 currently. I'm going to look into this for sure.


Edit: Dang my school doesn't seem to be a participating institution.

 

[Trojita]

The only thing I would be worried about would be if the positions are forced or not. I have enough years in the industry so fuck getting some shit low level job just because It's required I have to work for an organization somewhere.

 

[Two Words]

The only thing I would be worried about would be if the positions are forced or not. I have enough years in the industry so fuck getting some shit low level job just because It's required I have to work for an organization somewhere.

You have to find the job yourself. So you can go for one that you want.

 

[Trojita]

You have to find the job yourself. So you can go for one that you want.

Even that is easier said than done. Most places are still using the point system approach probably. Seems like there are provisions for requiring 10 week internships (paid?) and if you even just get one offer and don't accept it you have to pay the money back.

 

[Two Words]

Even that is easier said than done. Most places are still using the point system approach probably. Seems like there are provisions for requiring 10 week internships (paid?) and if you even just get one offer and don't accept it you have to pay the money back.

I guess I am going out on a limb that there are many job opportunities because why would they invest so much into getting more candidates if there were few openings?

 

[chillybright]

It's legit.

CS department in the US now has a problem of running out of native graduate students. Some of the sensitive projects in my university has all the funding but couldn't proceed literally because they cannot find US citizen graduate students. Eighty percent of the PHDs are from China or India, the rest of them are not eligible either.

 

[Two Words]

It's legit.

CS department in the US now has a problem of running out of native graduate students. Some of the sensitive projects in my university has all the funding but couldn't proceed literally because they cannot find US citizen graduate students. Eighty percent of the PHDs are from China or India, the rest of them are not eligible either.

That makes a lot of sense when I think about the nationality makeup of CS grad students at my university.

 

[Trojita]

I guess I am going out on a limb that there are many job opportunities because why would they invest so much into getting more candidates if there were few openings?

They don't lose the money if you don't find something, you pay it back. At most it would be a waste of money for a program that doesn't do anything.

 

[N.Domixis]

It's legit.

CS department in the US now has a problem of running out of native graduate students. Some of the sensitive projects in my university has all the funding but couldn't proceed literally because they cannot find US citizen graduate students. Eighty percent of the PHDs are from China or India, the rest of them are not eligible either.

What's the reason for so many Indians and Chinese at the graduate level? Here where I am almost no undergrad Indians or Chinese, but as soon as you hit masters and Ph.D. It's like you are in a foreign country.

 

[Two Words]

They don't lose the money if you don't find something, you pay it back. At most it would be a waste of money for a program that doesn't do anything.

But why invest in the scholarship programs if you don't have issues getting new employees? Paying off a tuition and stipend is still expensive.

What's the reason for so many Indians and Chinese at the graduate level? Here where I am almost no undergrad Indians or Chinese, but as soon as you hit masters and Ph.D. It's like you are in a foreign country.

From my understanding, foreign students need to be in those kind of programs to maintain their visas.

 

[chillybright]

What's the reason for so many Indians and Chinese at the graduate level? Here where I am almost no undergrad Indians or Chinese, but as soon as you hit masters and Ph.D. It's like you are in a foreign country.

Multiple reasons.

1. Undergrad programs rarely offer scholarships, and the tuition is really expensive. Most Ph.d programs offer full scholarships or at least TAship. Master programs are shorter so more can afford. So way more oversea students apply graduate programs and only those from rich families apply undergraduates. I have seen many Chinese undergraduates drive fancy cars like Ford GT.

2. More population. Both countries account for almost half of the world's population.

3. They have more comparative advantages when applying in subjects with heavy coding or math because these subjects also require light amount of English. Pre-undergraduate math education in US is a joke compared to those countries. Also ONLY these Ph.d degrees offer them very nice opportunities in the job market because how can you do sales or management or lawyer with broken English? On the other hand US students could already find decent job with undergraduate/master degrees, why bother with miserable Ph.d life?

 

[LyleLanley]

You looking to be a penetration tester?

Steal one of my pickup lines again and you'll be hearing from my lawyer.

 

[Two Words]

Multiple reasons.

1. Undergrad programs rarely offer scholarships, and the tuition is really expensive. Most Ph.d programs offer full scholarships or at least TAship. Master programs are shorter so more can afford. So way more oversea students apply graduate programs and only those from rich families apply undergraduates. I have seen many Chinese undergraduates drive fancy cars like Ford GT.

2. More population. Both countries account for almost half of the world's population.

3. They have more comparative advantages when applying in subjects with heavy coding or math because these subjects also require light amount of English. Pre-undergraduate math education in US is a joke compared to those countries. Also ONLY these Ph.d degrees offer them very nice opportunities in the job market because how can you do sales or management or lawyer with broken English? On the other hand US students could already find decent job with undergraduate/master degrees, why bother with miserable Ph.d life?

I do notice many Indian students major in computer science at my university. I can see how STEM majors will be more appealing if you want to work outside of your country and don't expect to be able to compete in soft skills/language skills against native English speakers.

 

[diablos991]

My company paid for my master program for a 2 year commitment.

This isn't uncommon for degrees that are actually valuable.

 

[Vicetrailia]

DO IT! You'll make great money after graduation.

Someone I know did and it paid off dividends. Also, he's based in San Diego but lives in Charleston, SC. He just travels often. You get it? It's fucking great!

 

[Glix]

This is legit. Had a cousin do this exact same thing. You looking to be a penetration tester? That's what my cousin was doing. Anyway, hop on this. This is what made me consider going to school for that... But then I took HTML/CSS/JavaScript/jQuery and realized the coding world isn't for me.

My girlfriend is my penetration tester.

 

[Two Words]

My company paid for my master program for a 2 year commitment.

This isn't uncommon for degrees that are actually valuable.

DO IT! You'll make great money after graduation.

Someone I know did and it paid off dividends. Also, he's based in San Diego but lives in Charleston, SC. He just travels often. You get it? It's fucking great!

Yeah, I think I will try to get it.

 

[Trojita]

My company paid for my master program for a 2 year commitment.

This isn't uncommon for degrees that are actually valuable.

But this paying you $32,000 not to work as well as paying for College.

 

[eot]

But this paying you $32,000 not to work as well as paying for College.

Grad school is work

 

[Two Words]

Grad school is work

What I'm planning to do a non-thesis MS?

 

[Trojita]

Grad school is work

Not all of us had the option of going to grad school without working. I consider that not working if all I'm doing is school.

 

[CrimsonSquall]

Not all of us had the option of going to grad school without working. I consider that not working if all I'm doing is school.

Le proletariat speaks

 

[Alphahawk]

 

[Trojita]

Le proletariat speaks

There's a difference between your company paying your tuition (usually with restrictions on how many classes you can even take a semester) and getting your full tuition paid, with stipend, without employed work, which is what I was explaining to the user poster to begin with. Most companies will absolutely not pay to give you a paid sabbatical to go to school. I'm not going to knock anyone doing this, it is a fantastic opportunity. A ridiculously good opportunity for anyone interested in this field, looking to get a graduate degree, and doesn't have many personal costs yet.

 

[The Dink]

Well this sounds pretty great. Can anyone tell me if I'm reading this FAQ right?

I'm currently working on my Bachelor's, just transferring from community college in the spring actually, and it seems I would be able to register for this to complete my degree and then work 2 years at a comfortable salary? I was majoring in Computer Science hoping to get into game design/programming and was going to "concentrate" on Software Engineering for the degree. Which could be a hassle considering the price of college now and I'd need to be employed to cover living expenses. Having two years to concentrate on studies would be life changing for me. How much would a concentration on Information Assurance effect my chances of getting into the game industry? I imagine not much? Although I'm probably wrong in that respect.

I was going to speak about this with a college adviser in a couple days but was wondering if anyone has any experience with this program for Bachelor degrees could help me out.

 

[Sanke__]

Sounds legit

The government has a huge problem with a lack of people for cyber security

 

[xRaizen]

Wait - are they giving you $20k along with the tuition or is tuition going to cut into that??

 

[Two Words]

Well this sounds pretty great. Can anyone tell me if I'm reading this FAQ right?

I'm currently working on my Bachelor's, just transferring from community college in the spring actually, and it seems I would be able to register for this to complete my degree and then work 2 years at a comfortable salary? I was majoring in Computer Science hoping to get into game design/programming and was going to "concentrate" on Software Engineering for the degree. Which could be a hassle considering the price of college now and I'd need to be employed to cover living expenses. Having two years to concentrate on studies would be life changing for me. How much would a concentration on Information Assurance effect my chances of getting into the game industry? I imagine not much? Although I'm probably wrong in that respect.

I was going to speak about this with a college adviser in a couple days but was wondering if anyone has any experience with this program for Bachelor degrees could help me out.

I don't think there is much overlap there. But I would strongly consider that you open yourself up to other areas in CS outside of gaming. You have time to decide, either way.

Wait - are they giving you $20k along with the tuition or is tuition going to cut into that??

Tuition is paid off + $20,000 stipend + promising to not work during your college education.

 

[eot]

Not all of us had the option of going to grad school without working. I consider that not working if all I'm doing is school.

If you're not getting paid to do a PhD you're getting exploited