Cybersecurity Public Service Scholarship Program

The Cybersecurity Public Service Scholarship Program supports students who are pursuing an education in programs that have been identified by the Secretary of Higher Education as being directly relevant to cybersecurity.

Submit all required documents to MHEC by SECURE UPLOAD online through your MDCAPS account. Once logged in, select “Electronic File Upload” from the homepage then follow the prompts. 

Who May Apply:

Individuals currently enrolled at public or private non-profit institutions in the State who are within two years of graduation from an approved, credit-bearing degree in cybersecurity, or an approved, credit-bearing certificate program in cybersecurity.

How to apply:

• Complete the Cybersecurity application on MDCAPS​; and
• Submit all required documents which include:
• Official or unofficial college transcript from a public or private non-profit institution; and
• Institutional verification form confirming enrollment in an approved Cybersecurity program, and completion of the program within two years.  

When to apply:

The deadline to submit the Cybersecurity Public Service Scholarship Program application and all required documentation is July 1st.  ​

Eligibility Criteria:

An individual may qualify for this scholarship if the individual is:

• ​Eligible for in-state tuition under the provisions of Education Article, Title 15, Annotated Code of Maryland;
• Enrolled full-time at a public or a private non-profit institution in the State in an approved credit-bearing degree or an approved credit- bearing certificate program;
• Within two years of graduation from the individual’s credit-bearing degree or credit- bearing certificate program;
• Maintaining a cumulative GPA of at least a 3.0 while enrolled at the institution in an approved Cybersecurity field; and
• Not receiving a Federal Cyber Corps Scholarships for Service.

Award Amount:

The award amount of the Cybersecurity Public Service Scholarship award shall be in the amount prescribed by MHEC and may be used to pay for education expenses as defined by MHEC, including:

• Tuition and mandatory fees; and
• Room and board.

Renewing an Award:

Award recipients may renew the award for an additional year if the individual:

• Continues to be eligible for in-state tuition;
• Annually submit the application;
• Continues to maintain satisfactory academic progress;
• Maintains a grade point average of at least a 3.0 GPA; and
• Continues to enroll as a full-time student.

Service Obligation Requirements:

Recipients of the Cybersecurity Public Service Scholarship award must sign an agreement agreeing to work full-time in the State for each year they received the scholarship in:

• A unit of State Government in the Cybersecurity Field; or
• A Public High School in the State, teaching in an Education Program that is directly relevant to Cybersecurity.

The award will convert into a loan payable to the State if the student fails to adhere to the following:

• Earns credit as a full-time student as defined in MHEC regulations;

• Completes an approved program that is directly relevant to cybersecurity at an eligible institution; and

• Performs the work obligation as required.
  
  

To view a list of all eligible programs for consideration of this scholarship click​here