BRONCO SHIELD
A CyberCorps® Scholarship for Service (SFS) Program at Boise State University
2nd Information Session
When: Wednesday, 3/27, 2024, from 12:00-1:00 pm
Where: In Person: the Department of Information Technology and Supply Chain Management (IT-SCM), Micron Business and Economics Building (MBEB), Room# 4001 (located at 2360 W University Dr, Boise, ID 83706).
Via Microsoft TEAMS: https://teams.live.com/meet/93386718120200?p=V50BysDq3ysIpyS7
Meeting ID: 933 867 181 202 00
Passcode: qcts53
Note: Join on the web using EDGE or CHROME
Pizza and drinks will be provided during the session
About BRONCO SHIELD
There exists an urgent need for cybersecurity and artificial intelligence (AI) experts dedicated to public service. The BRONCO SHIELD (Securing Homeland Infrastructure through cybErsecurity schoLars Development ) program, CyberCorps® Scholarship for Service (SFS) at Boise State University, seeks to address this need by awarding scholarships to a diverse group of undergraduate, master's, and PhD students at BSU. The program aims to offer scholars comprehensive exposure to integrated AI and cybersecurity, fostering the development of robust, reliable, and trustworthy cybersecurity systems. Additionally, it provides professional development to the scholars, preparing them to transition into cybersecurity professionals equipped to serve in public sector organizations, safeguarding our nation's assets from cyber threats.
Scholarship Benefits
Financial Support
Throughout each year in the BRONCO SHIELD program, scholars receive comprehensive financial support, which includes:
Full tuition and fees coverage
A stipend of $27,000 for undergraduates and $37,000 for graduate students
Health insurance allowance
Annual professional development allowance of $6,000
Hands-On Experience
Scholars will engage in hands-on research projects, competitions, internships, and contributing to advancements in cybersecurity knowledge. This practical experience enhances scholars' skills and prepares them for real-world challenges in the field.
Professional Development
This program supports the professional growth of scholars through workshops, seminars, internships, and networking events, where scholars establish connections within the cybersecurity community and stay updated on industry trends.
Cybersecurity Certification
The BRONCO SHIELD program supports scholars to obtain industry-demanded cybersecurity certifications, enabling them to showcase their dedication to continuous learning and skill enhancement, thereby enhancing their competitiveness in the cybersecurity job market.
Scholarship Obligations
Scholars in the BRONCO SHIELD program must fulfill the following obligations and commitments:
Scholars in the BRONCO SHIELD program must fulfill the following obligations and commitments:
Maintain a high level of academic performance.
Actively participate within the BRONCO SHIELD SFS community by attending all SFS-related activities in person, including (but not limited to) SFS-specific courses, seminars, clubs, competitions, and cohort meetings.
Actively participate in job fairs and other professional development events tailored specifically for SFS scholars, including attending the annual CyberCorps® Scholarship for Service Job Fair in D.C.
Actively seek and apply for summer internships with government agencies during their academic program.
Upon graduation, scholars must work in a government agency or organization at the federal level (with some exceptions at the state, local, or tribal level) for a duration equivalent to the length of the scholarship.
As per NSF: "Failure to satisfy the academic requirements of the program or to complete the service requirement will result in forfeiture of the scholarship award, which must either be repaid or reverted by the institution to a student loan pro-rated accordingly to reflect partial service completed."
Pathway Programs
Students may choose from the following types of degree pathways, with corresponding funding durations:
Students may choose from the following types of degree pathways, with corresponding funding durations:
Bachelor's degree - eligible for up to 3 years of SFS funding.
Bachelor's degree plus Master's degree - elgible for up to 3 years of SFS funding.
Master's degree - eligible for up to 2 years of SFS funding.
PhD degreee - eligible for up to 3 years of funding.
Recomendations:
We recommend that students choose a pathway that includes an advanced degree (Masters or PhD). Students will find that an advanced Cybersecurity degree makes it much easier for them to find placement at a government agency, with a higher starting salary.
We recommend that students who choose to do a Bachelor's degree followed by a Master's degree do an accelerated Masters degree program. In an accelerated Masters degree, students are able to take up to 9 credits (3 classes) of graduate courses in the final year of their Bachelor's degree, which they can count towards both their Bachelor's and Masters degrees, shortening the total time to degree completion by approximately 1 year. Students must apply for the accelerated Masters degree in their Junior year.
Below is a list of several cybersecurity-related pathway programs at Boise State that are eligible for SFS scholarships.
Bachelor's Degree Programs:
Bachelor of Computer Science - Cybersecurity Emphasis
Bachelor in Cyber Operations and Resilience
Master's Degree:
Accelerated or Regular Master of Science in Cybersecurity (all emphases)
Accelerated or Regular Master of Science in Cyber Operations and Resilience
PhD Degree:
Ph.D. in Computing - Cybersecurity Emphasis
Eligibility Requirements
The BRONCO SHIELD CyberCorps® SFS program exclusively accepts applications from Boise State students. To be eligible, applicants must satisfy the following criteria:
Be enrolled full-time in one of the pathway programs at BSU upon acceptance into the SFS program.
Be either (1) in the final two years of their undergraduate studies, (2) beginning their master's studies, or (3) beginning or being in the first year of their Ph.D. studies.
Be pursuing their first undergraduate or first graduate degree in cybersecurity.
Have a minimum GPA of 3.0
Hold U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency.
Have the ability to secure a security clearance and pass a background check.
How to Apply
The application deadline is April 30, 2024. Due to the limited number of positions, you are encouraged to apply ASAP. Students from underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply.
To apply, please click on the "Apply Now" button below and complete the application form.
Contact Us
If you have any questions regarding the BRONCO SHIELD program, please contact us at: sfs@boisestate.edu
BRONCO SHIELD, the CyberCorps®: Scholarship for Service (SFS) Program at Boise State University, is supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) under grant Award# 2336545.