San Antonio College Receives More than $636,000 for Cybersecurity Program

San Antonio College has received two separate grants to fund a new cybersecurity pilot program on the campus. The first grant, from the National Science Foundation (NSF), will provide financial support to students in the new program. The second grant, from the Department of Education (DOE), supports technology upgrades for community college cybersecurity programs.

The NSF grant awarded SAC $568,831 for the “SAC Cyber Service Scholarship Program.” The grant is funded by the NSF’s Community College Cyber Pilot Program. SAC is one of only three entities in the nation to be selected for the pilot program.

The award will enable information assurance and cybersecurity majors at SAC who are veterans of the Armed Forces or who have earned a bachelor’s degree to complete the associate of applied science in information assurance and cybersecurity degree and enter a federal, state, local or tribal government job related to cybersecurity after graduation.

“San Antonio College is an ideal location for the Cyber Service Scholarship Program,” said SAC President Dr. Robert Vela. “Our computer information systems program is nationally recognized and veterans make up a sizable amount of our student population. In addition, the city of San Antonio is a major hub for government agencies that are actively recruiting qualified employees.”

“It is evident why, among the institutions that received the grant, SAC was the only community college to be accepted without being part of a collaborative project. Our faculty and staff are primed to build this new program.”

Successful applicants into the pilot program will receive a $22,500 annual stipend as well as a scholarship to pay tuition. In addition, the students will receive $6,000 for professional development each year. Applicants will begin classes fall 2019.

The DOE grant awards SAC more than $68,000 for cybersecurity education technological upgrades at the community college level. The program was created to expand cybersecurity education in lower-income student populations and to assist community colleges in maintaining state of the art programs.

For more information, visit alamo.edu/sac/cyber-service-scholarship.

Photo caption: U.S. Congressman Lloyd Doggett speaks at the announcement of the two grants SAC received. State Senator Jose Menendez and SAC President Dr. Robert Vela also gave remarks at the event.