The new cyber-option NROTC scholarships are a key part of a comprehensive Navy strategy to attract, recruit and develop elite cyber professionals needed to operate securely and effectively in cyber space. This includes providing intense professional and career development programs for officers, enlisted and civilian cyber security experts. The new cyber-option NROTC scholarship program will allow the Navy to identify the best and the brightest young minds to support Navy's cyber force.

The Navy will award five cyber-option NROTC scholarships annually to high school seniors or first year college students who individually place in the top 20 percent at the U.S. Cyber Challenge competition. The competition is a national talent search and skills development program that identifies young Americans with the interests and technical skills required to fill the ranks of cyber security practitioners, researchers and professionals who become the innovative leaders in cyber security. The students must have also met the requirements for entering the NROTC program, such as maintaining a grade point average of 3.0 or greater on a 4.0 scale, ranking in the top 40 percent of their class, scoring competitively in the ACT and⁄or SAT and passing a physical exam.

Upon commissioning from the NROTC program, the cyber-option scholarship winners will use their skills in cyber warfare leadership positions.

NROTC scholarships provide significant benefits, including 100 percent payment of college tuition; full reimbursement for required books, supplies and equipment; a monthly monetary stipend; and active duty pay and benefits for up to 45 days a year.

The NROTC program, overseen by Naval Service Training Command at Naval Station Great Lakes, Ill., was established to develop midshipmen mentally, morally and physically and to imbue them with the highest ideals of duty, loyalty and Navy core values. NROTC graduates become Naval officers who possess a basic professional background, are motivated toward careers in the Naval service and have a potential for future development in mind and character so as to assume the highest responsibilities of command, citizenship and government.

For more information about applying for NROTC scholarships, visit https:⁄⁄www.nrotc.navy.mil.

For more information about the U.S. Cyber Challenge competition, visit http:⁄⁄ www.csis.org⁄uscc.