Congressman Gerry Connolly (D-VA), the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and Congressman Dale Strong (R-AL), Member of the House Committees on Appropriations and Homeland Security, reintroduced the CyberCorps Enhancement Act, bipartisan legislation to improve and expand the existing CyberCorps Scholarship for Service (SFS) Program. Connolly and Strong previously introduced the legislation in the 118th Congress.
“The federal government has a lot of work to do when it comes to recruiting and retaining the next generation of the federal workforce, especially in critical fields like cybersecurity and emerging technologies,” said Connolly. “This bipartisan legislation will go a long way toward strengthening our nation’s cybersecurity posture by ensuring we can attract the best of the best to serve our country.”
“North Alabama is a national leader in cybersecurity education, with one of the highest numbers of participants and graduates in the CyberCorps Scholarship for Service program. This legislation will allow our local colleges and universities to continue to produce highly skilled, U.S.-trained cybersecurity experts to protect our national security interests and contribute to cutting-edge research,” said Strong. “Strengthening this pipeline is not just about defending our nation against cyber threats—it’s about creating high-paying, high-impact jobs here at home and ensuring America continues to lead the way in cybersecurity, innovation, and defense.”
The CyberCorps SFS Program currently offers scholarships for up to three years of undergraduate or graduate education in cybersecurity, supporting a wide range of degrees—including Ph.D., master’s, bachelor’s, and associate degrees—focused on cybersecurity in fields such as AI, aerospace, quantum technologies, and more. In return, recipients commit to working in a cybersecurity role within the U.S. government for a period equal to the length of their scholarship.
George Mason University, located in Virginia’s 11th District, recently received a $3,800,000 CyberCorps SFS grant for their project EAGLE: Empowering American Government Leadership in Cybersecurity through Education.
The CyberCorps Enhancement Act proposes two key improvements to the existing CyberCorps SFS Program:
- Extending Scholarship Support: Increases the statutory cap on scholarships from three to five years, accommodating students pursuing advanced degrees like Ph.D.s and expanding the pool of highly specialized cybersecurity professionals.
- Clarifying Loan Repayment Terms: Ensures the full amount of student loans is eligible for forgiveness. This change addresses concerns raised by participants about loan repayment challenges.
|
“George Mason University enthusiastically supports Congressman Connolly and Congressman Strong’s CyberCorps Enhancement Act, because it will allow more of our graduate students to benefit and enhances the talent pool in cybersecurity for the Federal government. Congressman Connolly is to be commended for his continued leadership in reintroducing this legislation. As a designated National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity, George Mason has been a recognized national leader in cybersecurity research, education and training,” said Kenneth Ball, Dean of the College of Engineering and Computing, George Mason University.
“The University of Alabama in Huntsville is home to one of the largest cohorts of CyberCorps Scholarship for Service recipients in the country, comprised of 92 incredibly bright scholars in the critical fields of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence,” said Dr. Tommy Morris, director of the University of Alabama in Huntsville’s Center for Cybersecurity Research and Education and eminent scholar of computer engineering. “The proposed changes will allow us to grow this important program by attracting more doctoral students, which will ultimately enhance national security considering recipients must work for the federal government upon graduation. UAH proudly offers top cybersecurity programs at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels, and one of the largest cybersecurity research centers in America – the Center for Cybersecurity Research and Education – is located on our campus in Huntsville, a community that is leading the way in cybersecurity work. We are thankful to Congressman Strong for spearheading this effort.”
"At Hampton University, we are committed to equipping our students with the tools and expertise needed to excel in the ever-evolving field of cyber security," said LTG Darrell K. Williams, U.S. Army Retired, President of Hampton University. "The CyberCorps Enhancement Act of 2025 is a pivotal advancement, and I commend Rep. Connolly and Rep. Strong for their vision in extending the scholarship program to five years. This initiative not only addresses the growing demand for skilled professionals but also ensures access and equity in shaping the future of digital security. By creating new scholarship opportunities, it enables students to pursue advanced academic achievements, empowering the next generation of cybersecurity innovators."
“Old Dominion University has worked tirelessly to advance educational programs and professional opportunities in this important area. It is a critical need in the Commonwealth and across the nation. On behalf of our current and future students, we deeply appreciate Congressman Connolly’s leadership and support in this area, especially the possibilities associated with the CyberCorps Enhancement Act. We look forward to being an active partner in this continued journey to meet the evolving needs of business and industry in this dynamic and ever-changing area,” said Brian O. Hemphill, PhD, President of Old Dominion University.
Text of the CyberCorps Enhancement Act is available here.
