UPDATE: The application deadline for the 2008-2009 program is January 30, 2008.
Mail completed applications to:
Attn: P. Carcamo
Center for Secure Information Systems
MSN 5B5
George Mason University
4400 University Drive
Fairfax, VA 22030-4444
Direct inquiries to Patricia Carcamo at pcarcamo@gmu.edu or 703-993-3767.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Information Assurance Scholarship Program provides full scholarship support to selected undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students seeking degrees and graduate certificates in information assurance disciplines. Support includes tuition, a stipend, a paid part-time internship, and full-time employment following graduation.

During breaks in their academic studies, Information Assurance Scholars will receive progressive, hands-on experience in information security internships at Department of Defense agencies. In return, scholars must agree to some restrictions and obligations regarding curriculum, GPA and post-program employment. If all conditions are met, Information Assurance Scholars will receive full-time permanent positions with the Department of Defense on program completion.

GMU is one of a few universities that has been selected by the DoD to participate in the IASP. The Center for Secure Information Systems (CSIS) provides a dedicated environment to encourage the development of expertise in both the theoretical and applied aspects of information systems security. Our members conduct research across a broad spectrum of security areas. We offer undergraduate degrees (Computer Science and Applied Information Technology), a graduate certificate, five Master of Science degrees (Information Security and Assurance, Information Systems, Software Engineering, Computer Science, and Computer Engineering), and a Ph.D. in Information Technology or Computer Science focusing on Information Security. CSIS is one of the nation's premier research and security organizations conveniently located in Fairfax, Virginia in the Washington, DC area.

In order to apply through our organization, applicants must be either current GMU students or accepted for fall '07 admission. IASP applicants must apply for admission to GMU as a separate process. Detailed admissions information can be found at http://admissions.gmu.edu/. Please note that the IASP is limited to U.S. citizens.

ELIGIBILITY

• You must be at least 18 years of age.
• You must be a U.S. citizen 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 GMU as of the fall '07 semester.
• You must be a rising junior or senior undergraduate, masters or doctoral candidate, or graduate certificate program student.
• You must have completed (or will have completed by September 2007) the first two years of an undergraduate degree program and be eligible to:
  • begin either the third or fourth years of an undergraduate degree program;
  • begin the first or second year of a masters degree program;
  • pursue doctoral studies; or
  • complete a graduate certificate program in information assurance.
• You must be pursuing a course of study and/or have declared a major in one of the scientific, technical, or managerial disciplines related to computer and network security, with a concentration in an information assurance function.
  • For these purposes, the scientific, technical and managerial disciplines related to computer and network security are: Mathematics, Biometrics, Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Computer Programming, Computer Support, Data Base Administration, Computer Systems Analysis, Operations Research, Information Security (Assurance) or Business Management or Administration.
  • For these purposes, the information assurance function are: System/Network Administration and Operations, Systems Security Engineering, Information Assurance Systems & Product Acquisition, Cryptography, Threat & Vulnerability Assessment (including Risk Management), Web Security, Operations of Computer Emergency Response Teams, Information Assurance Training/Education/Management, Computer Forensics, and Defensive Information Systems.
• You must be able to obtain the required security clearance for the position selected, which may include drug and polygraph testing.
• You must be recommended for the scholarship by GMU's IASP review panel.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDENTS NOT CURRENTLY IN THE IASP:

An acceptable application package for the Information Assurance Scholarship consists of all of the following, which can be found in the Student Application Package below:

• A completed, signed, and dated Resume
• A completed, signed, and dated Checklist
• Supplemental Information including GPA at each institution attended, your residency status, major, and year.
• One (1) Letter of Reference from a current faculty member who is fully knowledgeable of your potential for successful learning, your knowledge, and your ability. See application package for instructions about the content of this Letter of Reference.
• One (1) additional Letter of Reference from either a current or former faculty member, or a current or former supervisor who is fully knowledgeable of your potential for successful learning, your knowledge, and your ability. See application package for instructions about the content of this Letter of Reference.
• Official or unofficial copies of all of your transcripts from all the institutions of higher learning you have attended.
• Attached awards description on separate sheets of plain 8-1/2” X 11” paper on which you record any academic recognition (certifications included), honors, distinctions, or awards that you have received.
• Supplemental Competency Statement. You must complete the OF612 Supplemental Competency Statement with narrative responses that describe the level of your attainment of the knowledge and ability factors indicated. See application package for detail.
• Supplemental Statement of General Academic and Employment Conditions. If you agree with the all of the academic and employment conditions required for your receipt of scholarship assistance and appointment under the Information Assurance Scholarship and Student Career Experience Program, and wish to be considered for it, you must complete the OF612 Supplemental Statement of General Academic and Employment Conditions, and include it in your application package.
• Contact Information. Provide the address, phone number, and e-mail address where we can reach you until the selection process is complete (July, 2007). Notify us of any changes that occur during that time.
• Supplemental OF612 Continuation Sheets. If the application does not have sufficient space for you to provide complete answers to all questions asked, you must attach separate sheets of plain 8 1/2" X 11" paper on which you record your responses or the continuations of your responses. On each such page, indicate your name, social security number, and the OF612 item numbers to which your responses apply.
• Copy of your DD-214 or Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty if you are claiming 5-point veterans' preference.
• Copy of your SF-15 plus the proof required by that form if you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS for CURRENT IASP STUDENTS WHO ARE REAPPLYING:

An acceptable application package for the Information Assurance Scholarship consists of a letter and the maintenance of your grade point average:

• One (1) Letter of Reference from the current Principal Investigator or key faculty member who is knowledgeable of your potential for successful learning, your knowledge, and your ability, based upon this past year of effort.

• Official or unofficial copies of all of your transcripts from all the institutions of higher learning you have attended, since your last submission. You are required to maintain the appropriate GPA to maintain your status in the program.

• Note regarding the Supplemental Statement of General Academic and Employment Conditions. This form has been submitted under your previous application. Following the selection of students for scholarship, letters will be sent to selected students, containing similar information, which affirms the student's willingness to commit to the internship (if applicable) and the obligated service requirement. It will also note that failure to do so will require pay back of Scholarship to the U.S. Government. Once signed, this will be attached to previous documentation for the record. Therefore, it is not necessary to submit the supplemental statement again.

WHERE TO DOWNLOAD FORMS:

Student Application Package (110 KB Microsoft Word Document)
Everything new applicants need to submit can be found here. Please contact Patricia Carcamo with questions.

A list of other participating universities, more detailed information about the program, and the required application forms will be posted on the DoD's IASP page at:
http://www.defenselink.mil/nii/iasp/index.html.

The OF-612 and other federal employment forms can be downloaded from The Office of Personnel Management at: http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/forms.htm.

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Designated as a Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education by the National Security Agency

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	The Committee on National Security Systems and the National Security Agency have certified that George Mason University offers a set of courseware that has been reviewed by National Level Information Assurance Subject Matter Experts and determined to meet National Training Standards for Information Systems Security Professionals, NSTISSI No. 4011, 4012, and 4013 for academic years 2005 - 2008.

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The Information Assurance Scholarship Program is open to U.S. Citizens pursuing undergraduate, masters, and doctoral degrees from the Centers of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education

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