To amend the Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2014 to make improvements to the Federal Cyber Scholarship for Service Program, and for other purposes.
- Bill Number
- H.R. 494
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Science, Technology, Communications
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-01-16: Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-09T22:06:45Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This legislation, H.R. 494, aims to strengthen the Federal Cyber Scholarship for Service Program by amending the Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2014. The program provides scholarships to students pursuing cybersecurity degrees in exchange for federal service, with the goal of building a skilled government workforce to address cyber threats.
Key Provisions
- Extension of Service Commitment: Changes the required post-graduation service period in federal, state, local, or tribal government roles from 3 years to 5 years.
- Full Loan Repayment Guarantee: Ensures that participants receive full repayment of their federal student loans (under the Higher Education Act's loan forgiveness provisions) without being limited by other rules, regulations, or policies related to those loans.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Increases the mandatory service obligation from 3 to 5 years, potentially encouraging longer-term commitment to public service in cybersecurity.
- Removes barriers to full loan repayment by overriding any conflicting limitations in the Higher Education Act of 1965 (which governs federal student aid, including loans and forgiveness programs), making the scholarship program's benefits more comprehensive and predictable.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Enhances the federal cybersecurity workforce by securing longer service from scholarship recipients, helping agencies like the Department of Homeland Security or National Institute of Standards and Technology address ongoing cyber risks more effectively.
- On Citizens: Benefits students and recent graduates interested in cybersecurity careers by offering extended financial incentives (scholarships and full loan forgiveness), potentially increasing access to education in this field and improving national cybersecurity protections that safeguard public data and infrastructure.
- On International Relations: Indirectly supports U.S. cyber defense capabilities, which could strengthen the country's position in global cyber diplomacy and threat response, though no direct international provisions are included.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Students and Graduates: Primary beneficiaries, as they gain scholarships, education support, and assured loan forgiveness in exchange for service.
- Federal, State, Local, and Tribal Governments: Gain a more stable pipeline of trained cybersecurity professionals to fill critical roles.
- Educational Institutions: Partner with the program to provide cybersecurity training, potentially seeing increased enrollment in related programs.
- U.S. Department of Education: Involved in administering loan forgiveness aspects, with streamlined processes for this specific program.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Aligns with existing federal education and workforce development laws but introduces targeted overrides to loan limitations, which could set a precedent for similar scholarship programs without altering broader student aid rules. No conflicts with constitutional principles like equal protection are evident, as the program is merit-based and focused on national security needs.
- Political: Supports bipartisan efforts to bolster U.S. cybersecurity amid rising threats, potentially appealing to lawmakers focused on technology and education policy. It may face scrutiny over the increased service length, balancing individual obligations against public benefits, but remains a modest amendment without major controversy.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Connolly, Gerald E. [D-VA-11]
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2025-01-16: Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
- 2025-01-16: Introduced in House
- 2025-01-16: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- To amend the Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2014 to make improvements to the Federal Cyber Scholarship for Service Program, and for other purposes. — issued 2025-01-16 — PDF (2 pages)