The requirements for each student in the program and the eligibility criteria are:

• Each student must be a United States citizen.
• Each student must be a full time student within two years of graduation at NMT with a Baccalaureate, Master's, or Ph. D. degree in an appropriate discipline.
• Each student must have and maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher (for undergraduate students) or 3.5 or higher (for graduate students).
• Each student must be and remain in good standing with a submitted application to NMT.
• Each student must have at least two years of experience in information assurance before their graduation.
• Each student must meet selection criteria for federal employment. Final job placement may require security clearances, so each scholarship recipient may be required to undergo the background investigation required to obtain such clearances.
• During the summer between the two years in the program, each student will be placed into an internship position at a federal agency or federally funded project.
• Upon graduation, each student will be required to work for up to two years at a federal agency. The period of federal services matches the scholarship support period, with a minimum of at least one year.


You may wish to view a formal service agreement last updated on 8/16/06 to get a better idea of what to expect. Please note that this agreement is not an exact replica of what applicants will be signing.

Both graduate and undergraduate scholarships are allowed, but all participants must be enrolled full-time in a degree seeking program that results in a BS, MS, or Ph.D. degree within two years of the initial date of scholarship funding. Only students enrolled in disciplines directly related to computer system security are eligible. All students will be completing normal NMT degrees, but there will be additional activities that are specially created for SFS students. If you are interested in the Spring semester, then the early deadline is November 1st. The late deadline for applications is December 1st and is subject to availability of positions. If you are interested in the Fall semester, then the early deadline is March 1st. The late deadline for applications is April 1st and is also subject to availability of positions. Students should contact the PI directly at other times of the year to check availability of SFS positions before applying. Applicants will be required to present a topic of their choosing about information assurance and security during March or early April. Applicants should submit their entire application in a sealed envelope that is signed across the seal by the letter writer.

To be considered each applicant to NMT's SFS program must provide the following:

• Letter expressing interest in the SFS program that states your citizenship status and indicates an understanding of the two year degree seeking nature of the program, the mandatory summer internship, and the service commitment to the federal government after graduation. Include:
  • The chosen title of your presentation about information assurance and security.
  • Number of years of support requested (1 or 2).
  • Terminal degree (ie. BS in Computer Science).
• Copy of transcripts of all college work.
• A formal resume.
• Statement of purpose and description of goals in your degree program, and the field of interest within Information Assurance.
• Recommendation letters from at least two faculty members or employment managers familiar with your background.

Send complete applications in a single package to:

Scholarship for Service
Attn: L.M. Liebrock
New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
Computer Science Department
801 Leroy Place
Socorro, NM 87801

If you have questions or concerns please contact: Dr. Liebrock