Huntsville Leader

Congressman Dale Strong of Alabama has introduced the "CyberCorps Enhancement Act of 2024," a bipartisan effort aimed at extending the CyberCorps Scholarship for Service (SFS) Program. The legislation proposes to increase the program's participation period from three to five years, providing support for students pursuing advanced degrees in STEM fields and enhancing the pool of cybersecurity professionals.

"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," stated Congressman Strong. He emphasized that this initiative would bolster national security and create high-paying jobs domestically.

The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) has expressed its support for this legislative proposal. Dr. Tommy Morris, director of UAH’s Center for Cybersecurity Research and Education, highlighted that UAH hosts one of the largest groups of SFS recipients nationwide. He noted that expanding the program could attract more doctoral students, thus strengthening national security as these scholars are required to work for the federal government after graduation.

Congressman Gerry Connolly from Virginia co-led this bipartisan bill with Strong. Connolly remarked on the necessity for improvement in recruiting and retaining talent within critical fields like cybersecurity, stating that this legislation will enhance national cybersecurity by attracting top talent.

The current SFS Program provides scholarships covering three years for students engaged in undergraduate or graduate studies related to cybersecurity, with an obligation to serve in government roles post-graduation. The proposed act seeks two main changes: extending scholarship duration to five years and clarifying loan repayment terms to ensure full forgiveness eligibility.

These modifications aim to support various degrees focused on areas such as AI, aerospace, and quantum technologies. The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) USA backs this legislation.