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DoW Cyber Service Academy Scholarship Program (CSA) in UCF

Department of War Cyber Service Academy Scholarship Program (CSA)

Application Deadline: February 17, 2026

About the Program

Since 2025 UCF has joined the Department of War Cyber Scholarship Program (DoW CSA). The 2026 Scholarship cycle starts 2026 Fall semester to provide scholarship covering Fall 2026 and Spring 2027, in exchange for serving one year of service to the DoW, upon graduation, for each year or partial year of scholarship received (CSA scholarship could be renewed and last one year to at most five years).

DoW is seeking junior and senior (third and fourth year at Fall 2026) undergraduate, or in first/second year of a master’s degree, or a doctoral degree student who is interested in full-ride scholarships for concentrated studies in cybersecurity and other cyber-related disciplines. Students selected to participate in the program receive the full coverage of tuition and required fees (including health care), textbooks (from the institution and degree specific required book list, not books which are optional for the class), and a stipend. The stipends are $29,000 for undergraduate students and $34,000 for graduate students for one-year CSA scholarship. A student is required to complete an internship with the DoW during the summer after the first year scholarship if he or she reapplies and obtains the second-year CSA scholarship. Internships do NOT count towards the post-graduation obligation requirements.

Eligibility Requirements

  • United States Citizen able to qualify for a security clearance
  • At Fall 2026, be a rising junior, senior (third and fourth year) undergraduate, or in first or second year of a master’s degree, or a doctoral degree graduate student
  • Have at least one full academic year (Fall’26 and Spring’27) remaining in the degree program
  • Be a full-time UCF student during the CSA scholarship period and enrolled with a declared major in a cyber-related degree program, including Computer Science, Information Technology, Computer Engineering, Digital Forensics, Cyber Security and Privacy
  • Maintain a 3.2+ GPA for undergraduate students or a 3.5+ GPA for graduate students
  • Required to sign a written agreement to work for the DoW as a civilian employee for one calendar year for each year of scholarship assistance after graduation (and to serve in DoW summer internship for multi-year scholarship)
  • Currently not a full-time, permanent DoW, Federal Employee, or Active duty military
  • Maintain flexibility to move within the continental U.S. to perform internships and final service obligations

General Application Information

Application deadline for 2026 cohort is noontime February 17th, 2026

DoW CSA 2026 Application Part 1: https://forms.osi.apps.mil/r/r0NsnisrLa
DoW CSA 2026 Application Part 2:  https://forms.osi.apps.mil/r/XMtbEwR6mS 

       Student application utilizes an online Microsoft Form and will be processed in two parts. There is no log-in or creating an account.  Applicants are encouraged to dedicate enough time to answer both parts in one sitting. Part 1 will ask the student to identify two email address:  a personal address (.com or non-.edu address) as well as a .edu email address. Part 2 will ask the student to enter the same personal email address they used in Part 1.  This will allow DoD CSA form to associate both parts with the same student.  To make this as painless for everyone (Applicant, Faculty Members, Agency Reps, DoW CSA Program Office) the following changes have been implemented:

    • Unofficial Transcripts:  Applicants will email submit unofficial transcripts to the DoW CSA Program Office directly.
    • One (1) Letter of Recommendation: Must be sent directly to the DoW CSA Program Office by the author not the applicant. The letter should come from a current or most recent faculty member or supervisor who can speak to your potential for academic success and your cyber-knowledge and ability. The applicant is responsible for contacting the author and ensuring the letter is sent by the deadline. Letters sent by the applicant will not be accepted.
      • Due Date: 12:00 PM EST on 17 February 2026.
      • Email Subject Line Format: Applicant Full Name – Institution Name – Letter of Recommendation
      • Email Address: osd.mc-alex.dod-cio.mbx.dod-csa@mail.mil
    • Competitions / Cyber Exercises / Capture-the-Flag Documentation: Applicants will submit any cyber competition data directly to the DoW CSA Program Office via email.
      • Due Date:  12:00 PM EST on 17 February 2026.
      • Email Subject Line Format:  Applicant Full Name – Institution Name – Competition Documentation
      • Email Address: osd.mc-alex.dod-cio.mbx.dod-csa@mail.mil
  • Scholarship award will be announced on May 1st, 2026.
  • This is a one-year scholarship. A CSA Cyber scholar can reapply for the second year CSA scholarship and will be given first priority over new applicants as long as he or she meets the CSA requirements. Funding amounts will be pro-rated for returning Cyber scholars requesting less than a full year of support.

UCF CSA faculty team roles

  • Announce and promote the CSA program to UCF students
  • Review UCF student applications after February 17, 2026 application deadline. Provide review statement about each student, and indicate one of three levels of recommendation to DoW by March 20th, 2026
  • Final review and recruitment of CSA scholars are conducted by DoW, NOT by UCF faculty team

Contact

For additional questions of the CSA program, please contact UCF CSA faculty team:

  • Dr. Cliff Zou, Dept. Computer Science, phone: 407-823-5015, Email: changchun.zou@ucf.edu
  • Dr. Sean Mondesire, School of Modeling Simulation and Training, phone: 407-882-1435, Email: sean.mondesire@ucf.edu
  • Dr. Yao Li, School of Modeling Simulation and Training, phone: 407-823-3957, Email: yao.li@ucf.edu