Requirements | ARISE CyberAI SFS

Who should review this page?

You should review these requirements carefully if you are interested in cybersecurity, applied AI, research, and government service and want to determine whether ARISE is a realistic fit for your academic background and career goals.

Because ARISE is a scholarship-for-service pathway, students should evaluate not only whether they are academically eligible, but also whether they can realistically meet the internship, employment, and service-related obligations associated with the program.

ARISE CyberAI students and learning environment

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Core eligibility requirements

Be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.
Be enrolled full-time, or accepted for full-time enrollment, in an approved UCA computing pathway aligned with the program.
Meet the minimum GPA requirement of 3.0 at the time of application.
For BS pathways, be a junior or senior while in the program. Freshmen are not eligible for participation in the program pathway.
Show strong academic preparation and readiness for cybersecurity- and AI-related study.
Be willing to participate in program activities, mentoring, and applied learning expectations.

Service and career commitment

Be interested in a government career path related to cybersecurity or the AI/cybersecurity mission of government.
Be willing to complete required experiential learning, including internship preparation and participation.
Be prepared to complete one year of full-time employment in a qualifying government cybersecurity position for each year of scholarship support received.
Be able to pursue employment pathways that may require background review or security-clearance eligibility.
Understand that inability to complete the required service may result in repayment obligations similar to a student loan.

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Proposed UCA academic pathways

Based on the proposed program design, ARISE is intended to support students in UCA computing pathways that connect to cybersecurity, secure systems, data analysis, software systems, and AI-supported cyber defense.

The proposed pathway is not limited to undergraduate students. Eligible master’s students are also included.

The program may also appeal to students from different schools or states who value rigorous computing preparation, cybersecurity-focused pathways, and ABET-aligned quality in computing education.

BS in Computer Science

BS in Cybersecurity

BS in Data Science

BS in Software Engineering

MS in Computer Science

Accelerated BS-MS Pathway

What ARISE will likely look for in strong applicants

Academic readiness

Strong applicants will typically demonstrate solid preparation in computing, programming, mathematics, data analysis, cybersecurity, software systems, or related technical coursework.

Interest in cybersecurity and applied AI

Students should show genuine interest in how cybersecurity and AI intersect in areas such as threat detection, secure systems, vulnerability analysis, cyber defense analytics, and applied research.

Motivation for service

The scholarship is intended for students who are interested in contributing to the public interest through cybersecurity-related government service after graduation.

Engagement and growth potential

Research interest, projects, competitions, leadership, internships, or other evidence of initiative can strengthen an application and show readiness for the program’s expectations.

Important participation expectations

Expectation	What it means for students
Full-time study	Students should be prepared to maintain full-time enrollment in an approved UCA pathway while participating in the program.
Academic standing	Students should maintain strong academic performance and continue to meet program and university expectations.
Applied cybersecurity engagement	Students should be ready to engage with cybersecurity and AI-supported learning through coursework, labs, research, and applied experiences.
Professional development	Students should expect mentoring, career preparation, participation in the SFS Job Fair, and activities that support government service readiness.
Internship requirement	Students should be prepared for internship-related expectations that support transition into public-sector cybersecurity pathways.
Post-graduation service	Scholarship recipients are required to complete one year of full-time qualifying government cybersecurity employment for each year of scholarship support received.
Career and clearance readiness	Students should be prepared for federal hiring processes, security-clearance-related requirements, and documentation expectations that may apply to government roles.

Important consideration: ARISE is a scholarship-for-service program, not simply a general scholarship. Students should apply only after carefully considering whether they can realistically pursue qualifying government service. If a student cannot complete the required service, the scholarship may become a repayment obligation similar to a student loan. Students who may face barriers to qualifying government employment or related background-based eligibility should review the requirements very carefully before applying.

Not sure whether you are eligible?

Review the FAQs, explore the program page, and contact the ARISE team if you want guidance on fit, pathways, or application readiness.

Read FAQs Explore the Program Contact the Program

ARISE CyberAI SFS Requirements