Gillibrand’s Cyber Service Academy Will Create Pipeline Of Cyber Professionals To Protect Our National Security
Nearly 30,000 Department of Defense Cyber Positions Remain Unfilled
Starting In Their Junior Year In A Four-Year Program Or Second Year In An Associate’s Degree Program, Students Receive A Year Of Free College For Every Year Committed To Public Service
Interested students can learn more at www.gillibrand.senate.gov/cyberacademy
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand joined New York State Assemblymember MaryJane Shimsky and educators to encourage Pace University students to apply to the DoD Cyber Service Academy scholarship program, which provides full college tuition in return for public service in the Department of Defense (DoD) or the Intelligence Community (IC). Successful applicants will serve one year in the DoD or the IC as a civilian employee for each year of their scholarship.
Pace University is one of 24 New York institutions that qualify to host students through the program because of their designations as National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity. Gillibrand created the Cyber Service Academy scholarship program through her work on the Senate Armed Services Committee. With nearly 30,000 unfilled DoD cyber positions, it is more essential than ever that the U.S. create a pipeline for a talented, highly trained cyber workforce.
“Thousands of unfilled DoD cyber positions leave our country with a severe shortage of personnel needed to protect the United States from adversaries like Russia. I developed the Cyber Service Academy scholarship program to help meet these needs and give our youth a path to good-paying jobs in government,” said Senator Gillibrand. “This program will create a pipeline for a talented, highly trained cyber workforce, granting one year of free college for every year of subsequent public service. Pace University is a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity, and I encourage students to apply, earn free tuition, and serve our great nation.”
“Some of our nation’s greatest national security threats are emerging through cyberspace,” said U.S. Congressman Mike Lawler. “The Cyber Service Academy scholarship program creates opportunity for students at Pace University and across our nation to meet a critical need in expanding the cybersecurity workforce. I applaud this program and thank Senator Gillibrand for her leadership on this initiative.”
“It is exciting to have three of Westchester’s NCAE-C institutions located in the 92nd Assembly District, in Pleasantville, Dobbs Ferry, and Valhalla,” said New York State Assemblymember MaryJane Shimsky. “Our colleges and universities are key to training the next generation of workers to meet both the demands of job market and the needs of our society. The Cyber Service Academy sets students on a pathway to employment and upward mobility – and it does so by targeting a mission-critical field that will only continue to grow in scale and significance. I thank Senator Gillibrand for her leadership on this important national initiative.”
“I would like to thank Senator Kirsten Gillibrand for spearheading the Cyber Service Academy Scholarship Program, which offers a great opportunity for Westchester County’s college students, while at the same time creates a pipeline of cyber personnel to protect our national security,” said Westchester County Executive George Latimer. “With upwards of 40,000 public-sector cybersecurity positions unfilled, this initiative not only offers students scholarships but also empowers them to serve their Country. We thank Senator Gillibrand for her dedication to our future cyber workforce both here in Westchester, and nationwide.”
“Now more than ever, our nation is in need of a highly-skilled cyber security workforce to protect us from the potential for cyber threats and attacks,” said Westchester Deputy County Executive Ken Jenkins. “We would like to thank Senator Kirsten Gillibrand for her leadership on this issue, and for providing an opportunity for our students to pursue the Cyber Service Academy Scholarship Program at multiple locations in Westchester. This program provides students with the skills and training they need for high-demand jobs in a field that is critical, and I encourage our students to apply.”
“Cyberattacks are growing in size and scope, posing a serious threat to the U.S. economy and critical infrastructure. That’s why recruiting and training the next generation of cybersecurity professionals is vital,” said Pace University President Marvin Krislov. “Pace is proud to partner with Senator Gillibrand and the federal government on the Cyber Service Academy program, which creates opportunities for our students while strengthening the nation’s cybersecurity workforce.”
The Cyber Service Academy scholarship program includes:
- A scholarship covering the full cost of tuition, select books and fees, a stipend for room and board, purchase of a laptop, and more;
- Areas of study including cybersecurity, cyber operations, digital and multimedia forensics, computer crime investigations, and more;
- A service commitment for a period equivalent to the length of a recipient’s scholarship that starts after graduation;
- Opportunities to serve throughout the DoD and the Intelligence Community.
Interested students should go to www.gillibrand.senate.gov/cyberacademy and click on the DoD Cyber Scholarship Program link to apply. This page will continue to be updated as the DoD refines its application process. The application for the 2025-2026 academic year is open through February 1, 2025.
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