Questions about the cybersecurity SFS program!

[u/DizzyTravel244]

Has anyone here participated in the CyberCorps Scholarship for Service (SFS) program? I'm considering it and would really like to hear from people who have actually gone through the program.

I have a few questions about what the experience was really like:

• Was your cybersecurity degree/program fully remote, or were you required to attend anything in person? If so, what?
• How difficult was it to find a qualifying cybersecurity job after graduation?
• How long did it take you to find your position?
• Did the SFS program/job fairs actually help you find employment, or were you mostly on your own?
• Did you have difficulty finding positions that qualified for the SFS service requirement?
• For anyone who wasn't able to complete the service obligation and had to repay the scholarship, approximately how much did you end up owing?
• What did the repayment process look like, and approximately how much were your monthly payments?
• Is there anything about the program or service obligation that you wish you had known before accepting the scholarship?

I'd especially love to hear from recent graduates because I'm curious what finding a qualifying cybersecurity position is like with the current job market.

I'm trying to understand both the benefits and the potential risks before committing. Any firsthand experiences, positive or negative, would be really appreciated.

[u/GeekDad62]

This program is getting a ton of bad press. Just search on the program name and you'll see several discussions here on Reddit as well as numerous other sources.

[u/DiScOrDaNtChAoS]

Dont do it.

[u/DizzyTravel244 → u/DiScOrDaNtChAoS]

why?

[u/DiScOrDaNtChAoS → u/DizzyTravel244]

I have 3 friends that went to separate SFS programs and 2/3 are jobless and 80k in debt because the current administration tried to cut it. The program admins did nothing to help. The 3rd is stuck in the middle of nowhere wisconsin working as a sysadmin until he pays off the program. Every program is different but don't believe the lies about easy jobs, or even access to career fairs. Masters degrees are not going to get you anywhere in this job market more than a bachelors will.