University of Central Arkansas · ARISE CyberAI Scholarship for Service
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Scholarship for Service ARISE CyberAI SFS
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About the Scholarship

About the ARISE CyberAI Scholarship for Service

ARISE is a proposed student-centered scholarship pathway designed to prepare eligible students for cybersecurity-focused public-service careers through academic preparation, mentoring, research, hands-on learning, and structured workforce development.

Up to 3 Years Scholarship support may be provided for up to three years, depending on pathway and entry point.
Annual Stipend The students will receive support which includes an annual stipend along with other academic and professional support.
BS and MS Pathways Eligible undergraduate, accelerated BS-MS, and master’s students may participate.
Public-Service Focus The program is designed to prepare students for qualifying government cybersecurity careers.
Notice: The ARISE CyberAI SFS program is pending funding through NSF Program Solicitation NSF 26-503. Content on this site reflects the proposed program as described in the submitted proposal.

Program mission

The ARISE CyberAI Scholarship for Service program is designed to connect eligible UCA students with a structured pathway into government-focused cybersecurity careers. The program emphasizes cybersecurity education, applied AI, practical skill development, faculty mentoring, internship preparation, and long-term readiness for public-sector service.

The goal is not simply to fund a degree. The goal is to help students build the academic, technical, and professional foundation needed to succeed in cybersecurity roles that support government missions and the public interest.

ARISE CyberAI students and learning environment" alt="Students discussing academic and career planning" />

Who the program supports

ARISE is intended for students in approved UCA computing pathways who want to strengthen their preparation in cybersecurity, secure systems, software, data, and AI-supported cyber defense.

  • Eligible BS students in approved pathways
  • Eligible accelerated BS-MS students
  • Eligible MS students in approved computing pathways
  • Students seeking rigorous preparation for cybersecurity careers in government service

Detailed eligibility criteria, including GPA and class-standing requirements, are listed on the Requirements page.

Why the program matters

ARISE is designed to reduce financial barriers while creating a stronger pathway from academic preparation to government cybersecurity service. The proposed support model includes full tuition and fees, an annual stipend, books and supplies, professional travel including the SFS Job Fair, and cybersecurity certification preparation.

This combination of financial support and guided preparation can help students focus more fully on academic success, internship readiness, and long-term career development.

Core goals of ARISE

Prepare future cybersecurity professionals

Develop students for government cybersecurity service through strong academic preparation, applied learning, faculty mentoring, and workforce-oriented experiences.

Strengthen the workforce pipeline

Expand pathways from undergraduate and graduate computing programs into qualifying cybersecurity careers in federal, state, local, and tribal government settings.

Support student success at UCA

Strengthen student preparation through curriculum, mentoring, professional development, applied experiences, and a structured scholarship community.

ARISE CyberAI students and learning environment alt="Students working together with laptops in a collaborative learning environment" />

What makes ARISE distinctive

ARISE is designed as more than a scholarship package. It combines financial support, faculty mentoring, cohort-based development, internship pathways, research opportunities, and career preparation into one coordinated experience.

The program also includes structured support for career placement through résumé preparation, interview readiness, participation in the CyberAI SFS Job Fair, and guidance on federal hiring and security-clearance processes.

What scholars may receive and experience

Area What it means for students
Financial support Proposed support includes full tuition and fees, an annual stipend, and allowances for books and supplies.
Professional development Students may receive support for professional travel, including the SFS Job Fair, and preparation for cybersecurity certifications.
Mentoring and cohort model Students benefit from faculty mentoring, cohort-based support, peer learning, and shared professional development.
Research and applied learning Students may participate in faculty-mentored research, projects, cyber exercises, and other applied experiences.
Internship and placement support Students receive guidance for internship pathways, government hiring preparation, résumé development, and interview readiness.
Service-oriented outcome The pathway is designed to prepare scholars for qualifying government cybersecurity employment after graduation.

Important consideration: ARISE is a scholarship-for-service pathway, not simply a general scholarship. Scholars are required to complete one year of full-time employment in a qualifying government cybersecurity position for each year of scholarship support received. If the required service is not completed, the scholarship may become a repayment obligation similar to a student loan.