Participants in the CyberCorps: Scholarship for Service program are increasingly frustrated as federal job offers and internships have been withdrawn, leaving many with fears of large debts. Critics argue that the program, which requires students to work in government jobs in exchange for scholarships, is compromised by hiring freezes and budget cuts. Those unable to secure employment risk seeing their scholarships converted into loans after 18 months of searching.
With a significant reduction in funding proposed for fiscal 2026, students express regret over their commitment to the program, feeling misled about future job prospects. The historical context of CyberCorps, operational since 2000, highlights its original purpose of closing the cyber skills gap, but recent trends suggest that it may not be fulfilling its promise effectively. Concerns have been raised by several stakeholders including policymakers and former participants, who highlight a pervasive lack of support and transparency from the agencies responsible for student job placements. This situation poses a dire challenge for the program’s future and its ability to fulfill workforce needs in cybersecurity, which remains critical for national security.
👉 Pročitaj original: CyberScoop
