1). Do you offer IA scholarships?
We actually offer two different kinds of IA scholarships to students at MSU. The first is a Department of Defense offering known as the DOD Information Assurance Scholarship Program (IASP) and the other is a Federal Government program known as the Scholarship for Service (SFS) program. In a general sense, there are few differences in the programs for the student. Both require that the student pay back the scholarship by serving one year in government or DOD service for each year (or portion of a year) that the scholarship was awarded. The SFS program will support a student for a maximum of two year (4 semesters) while the IASP program can go longer. The SFS program supports far more students (approximately ten times more) than does the IASP.

2). How do I apply for a scholarship?
At MSU, we use the same application process for both scholarships. The application form can be found on our web site at http://www.cse.msstate.edu or at http://www.cse.msstate.edu/~security/scholarships.shtml. We generally ask for applications twice each year November and February for SFS and February for IASP. We can, however, accept an application at anytime for the SFS program.

3). What are the qualifications to apply?
To apply for the program, the applicant
     You must be 18 years of age or older.
     You must be a citizen of the United States at the time of application. Note, if family members are not U.S. Citizens, some Agencies may be unable to process the applicant (student) to the security clearance level required. Every effort will be made to assign eligible students at an Agency without such restrictions.
     You must be enrolled (or accepted for enrollment) at MSU.
     You must have completed the first two years of an undergraduate degree program and be eligible to (a) begin either the third or fourth years of an undergraduate degree program; (b) begin the first or second year of a masters degree program; or (c) pursue doctoral studies.
     You must be pursuing a course of study and/or have a declared major in one of the scientific, technical or managerial disciplines related to computer and network security, with a concentration in an information assurance function.

4). Do you offer the IA program as a distance learning degree?
At MSU, we do not offer this program over any distance learning network. You must be enrolled as an on campus student to participate in our program.

5). Can I earn a certificate in IA?
MSU has been certified compliant with two National Training Standards National Security Telecommunications and Information Systems Security (NSTISS) standard 4011 and 4014. As such, we are allowed to issue certificates to students completing a 15 hour course of instruction. We have not implemented this certificate program at the current time but hope to do so in the near future.

6). If I get a scholarship, where would I be employed?
The employment geographic location cannot be determined ahead of time. When you sign up for either scholarship program you are agreeing to serve where you are offered a position. You must be willing to do so. For those students in the SFS program, you must also apply for positions (both for summer employment and final employment) and you must be willing to relocate to where you are offered a job.

7). Where can I learn more about these scholarships?
The official web sites for the two programs are:

IASP: http://www.defenselink.mil/nii/iasp
SFS: http://www.sfs.opm.gov

8). If I take this scholarship what course work obligations come with it?
You must complete your normal degree course work plus the computer security specific classes we offer at MSU. These may vary depending on your class standing and your major.

9). Do I have to have a security clearance?
You must be able to obtain a security clearance to be eligible for this scholarship. We cannot determine ahead of time whether or not you will require a clearance for your job or at what level. If you accept the scholarship and later fail to pass the requirements for a clearance you may be required to reimburse the government all funds expended on you. There are many factors that are considered by the government in making security clearance determinations. If you have doubts in this regard, it would be best to speak with the contract person at MSU for the scholarship program see http://www.cse.msstate.edu/~security/contact.shtml.

10). What happens if I fail to get a job with the government after I graduate?
There are several possibilities here and they cannot be determined ahead of time. First and foremost, we work very hard to make sure that this does not happen. If it would occur, the government has the right to make a determination on why the failure occurred. If the student is found at fault, the government has the right to recoup funds paid to the student through the scholarship program. An example of why a student may be found at fault might be if the student intentionally withheld information when accepting the scholarship that would likely result in the denial of a clearance (e.g., felony convictions, drug involvement, collaboration with certain foreign governments, dual citizenship, or lack of citizenship). Another example might be refusing to interview with interested hiring agencies, refusal to accept a position when offered, refusal to cooperate in the hiring process, and other such actions.

11). What happens to me in the summer with my required internship?
You are expected to work in a security related position for the US Government or DOD during the summer. This allows for a wide variety of possible jobs in the IT field. You should benefit in your studies though this experience as well as gain valuable insights into government service, establish some work experience for yourself and build a positive relationship between you and the organization you are working for. You will work as a normal employee for the organization and will be expected to follow all the employment rules established for members of that organization. This includes time and attendance activities, possible dress codes, internal operating procedures and so forth. The summer employment assignment for IASP students generally becomes their hiring organization upon graduation. For SFS students, this assignment may or may not be the final hiring organization.

12). Why do the scholarship programs require 640 hours of internship work during the summer?
This is a harder question to address. Basically, there are several authorities that the government can use to hire you when you graduate. The government hiring process is a complicated and often burdensome process which seems to result in a lot of local hiring rules and roadblocks that have to be overcome. One of the hiring authorities that human resources (personnel) staffers often use to convert you to a permanent employee is called the Student Career Experience Program (SCEP) which has a provision in it that you must have served at total of 640 hours of internship with the government prior to being converted to a permanent employee. This program is actually the basis for most University COOP programs which require you to work during a full semester (because you cannot achieve 640 hours in a summer). For students that only end up working one summer of internship there are alternative hiring authorities or alternative methods to achieve the 640 hours needed for SCEP. These alternatives are worked out on a case by case basis.

13). Who do I contact for more information about the program at MSU?
The contact at MSU is listed at http://www.cse.msstate.edu/~security/contact.shtml. Also see FAQ #7 above.

14). What additional school workload comes with this scholarship?
You are paid a stipend under both the IASP and SFS programs. At MSU we expect you to provide a service during the academic year in exchange for that stipend and you will be assigned to a faculty member of the Computer Security Research Center (CCSR) to determine your exact duties. In the past, duties have included research assistant, lab assistant, programming assignments, creation of student security exercises, and others. We want this to be a learning experience. Other additional duties include the creation of a good resume, attending Cyber Corps student meetings called by the MSU point of contact (so we can talk about program related issues), maintenance of a good GPA (3.0 minimum for undergrads and 3.2 for Graduate students), and availability for travel to specific government agencies when needed for interviews. You should also see FAQ #8 above.

15). What major do I need to have to be in the scholarship program?
We offer the scholarship opportunity to technical majors primarily in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Computational Engineering. We also open the program to Management Information Systems Students in the College of Business. Once accepted into the program, you may not change your major without the approval of the program coordinator at MSU.

16). Can I transfer into the program from another university?
You may apply for a scholarship at MSU while at another university. You will be considered for award based on the same criteria we use for students here at MSU already. If you are offered a scholarship, it will be contingent upon your application and acceptance into the University and into a specific department. It is your responsibility to make application for an allowed program (see FAQ #15) and to meet all requirements for acceptance. This may require certain exams like GRE or others. Bottom line is that you must be an MSU student to take the scholarship but you can apply for the scholarship while also making application to MSU for an undergraduate or graduate program.