What is the Scholarship for Service Program?

The NSI Scholars program is a “scholarship for service” program, wherein NSI Scholars are expected to work in their discipline areas, either for the federal government in the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, or an intelligence agency or in a National Laboratory after their graduation.

The Scholar tuition expenses are forgiven on a “one-for-one” basis (i.e., each year of govern-ment service results in the forgiveness of one year's expenses). Assignments will be in the continental United States (unless the NSI Scholar indicates a willingness to consider assignments outside the United States).

Naval NSI Scholars are employees of the Naval Postgraduate School for the duration of their program.

Eligibility:

All applicants must be U.S. citizens or nationals. (A U.S. “national” is an individual who, though not a citizen of the U.S., owes permanent allegiance to the United States. Individuals who are citizens of U.S. territories such as American Samoa are U.S. nationals. The term does not refer to permanent residents; permanent residents are not eligible.)

In addition the candidate must be eligible for security clearances at all levels.

Application Process:

The required form and instructions package can be found by clicking here. Generally, applications will include:

1. An application form containing information about the applicant,
2. An applicant's statement of educational objectives relevant to government service in national security and homeland defense,
3. Certified transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended (sent directly to the NPS Admissions office),
4. Two letters of recommendation (sent directly to the NPS Admissions office), and
5. Certified copies of Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores (sent directly to the NPS Admissions office).

Application materials should be sent to:

Director of Admissions
Code 01C3, He-022
Naval Postgraduate School
1 University Circle
Monterey CA 93943

Application Deadlines:

NPS operates four quarters per year starting the first week of January, the last week of March, the first week of July, and the last week of September; applications must be submitted at least six months before the desired start date.

Selection Process:

Applicants will be selected based on academic qualifications and availability of graduate advisors and research funding in the areas of interest. Incomplete applications will not be evaluated.