Merit-Based Scholarships

nyu wagner merit scholarships  

We offer a number of competitive, merit-based scholarships to help you finance your degree. Approximately 52% of enrolling students are awarded scholarships. All full-time and part-time applicants are considered. Non-degree/advanced professional certificate program, dual degree graduate program students and NYU Employees are not eligible for merit-based scholarships. NOTE: This is not a comprehensive list of scholarships available through NYU Wagner. 

To Apply:

Submit your online application for admission to NYU Wagner. These scholarships do not require you to submit an additional essay. Recipients are chosen based upon fit for the scholarship program and the strength of application submitted.

Dean’s Scholarship: Full-tuition scholarship awarded to applicants based on merit and strength of application, regardless of degree program or area of interest.

Student Success Scholarship: Full-tuition and registration fee scholarship, summer stipend support for an unfunded internship, and support for other expenses awarded to applicants based on academic merit and/or financial need.

Public Service Scholarship: Partial and half-tuition scholarships awarded to applicants based on merit and strength of application, regardless of degree program or area of interest.

Executive Leaders Scholarship: 25% scholarship awarded to select applicants of the Executive MPA for Public Service Leaders program based on merit and the overall strength of application.

City Year Scholarship: Half-tuition scholarship awarded to up to two City Year alumni interested in pursuing full-time or part-time study. You are eligible to apply if you complete your service by the start of the Fall semester. We waive the application fee for all City Year members regardless of the semester for which you apply, but the scholarship is only available to those applying for Fall enrollment.

McNair Scholarship: Half-tuition scholarship awarded to up to two alumni of the McNair Scholars Program interested in pursuing full-time or part-time study. You are eligible to apply if you complete your service by the start of the Fall semester. We waive the application fee for all McNair alumni regardless of the semester for which you apply, but the scholarship is only available to those applying for Fall enrollment.

Teach for America (TFA) Scholarship: Half-tuition scholarship awarded to up to three alumni of Teach for America interested in pursuing full-time or part-time study. You are eligible to apply if you complete your service by the start of the Fall semester. We waive the application fee for all Teach for America alumni regardless of the semester for which you apply, but the scholarship is only available to those applying for Fall enrollment.

Bonner Program Scholarship: Half-tuition scholarship awarded to up to two  Bonner scholars pursuing full-time or part-time study. We waive the application fee for all Bonner alumni regardless of the semester for which you apply, but the scholarship is only available to those applying for Fall enrollment.

AmeriCorps Scholarship: Half-tuition scholarship awarded to up to two AmeriCorps alumni interested in pursuing full-time or part-time study. You are eligible to apply if you complete your service by the start of the Fall semester. We waive the application fee for all AmeriCorps members regardless of the semester for which you apply, but the scholarship is only available to those applying for Fall enrollment. NYU Wagner is not a Segal matching program.

Lead for America and/or American Connection Corps Scholarship: Half-tuition scholarship awarded to up to two LFA/ACC members or alumni interested in pursuing full-time or part-time study for Master of Urban Planning and Master of Public Administration candidates. You are eligible to apply if you complete your service by the start of the Fall semester. We waive the application fee for all LFA/ACC members regardless of the semester for which you apply, but the scholarship is only available to those applying for Fall enrollment. NYU Wagner is not a Segal matching program.

CHCI Scholarship: Half-tuition scholarship and a professional development stipend awarded to up to two Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) alumni interested in pursuing full-time or part-time study in Master of Urban Planning, Master of Public Administration, and Executive Master of Public Administration degree programs. You are eligible to apply if you complete your CHCI program by the start of the Fall semester. We waive the application fee for all CHCI members regardless of the semester for which you apply, but the scholarship is only available to those applying for Fall enrollment. 

Charles B. Rangel Scholarship: Selected Rangel Fellows accepted to NYU Wagner will be considered for 2 years of scholarship funding equivalent to 50% tuition for full-time study. We waive the application fee for all applicants affiliated with the Rangel Fellowship regardless of the semester for which you apply. Please review our NYU Wagner External Scholarship page for more information on the Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Fellowship or apply through the Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Program website.

The Harry S. Truman Scholarship: Selected Truman scholarship recipients accepted to NYU Wagner will be considered for scholarship funding equivalent to 50% tuition for full-time or part-time study. We waive the application fee for all applicants affiliated with the Truman Scholarship Foundation regardless of the semester for which you apply. Please review our NYU Wagner External Scholarship page for more information on the The Harry S. Truman Scholarship or apply through The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation.

The Donald M. Payne Scholarship: Selected Payne Fellows accepted to NYU Wagner will be considered for 2 years of scholarship funding equivalent to 50% tuition for full-time study. We waive the application fee for all applicants affiliated with the Payne Fellowship regardless of the semester for which you apply. Please review our NYU Wagner External Scholarship page for more information on the The USAID Donald M. Payne International Development Graduate Fellowship Program or apply through the Payne International Development Fellowship page.

NYPD Scholarship: NYU Wagner offers half-tuition scholarship awards to up to two active members of the New York City Police Department in partnership with the New York City Police Foundation. In addition, the NYPD Office of Professional Development provides an opportunity to apply for the Wagner and New York City Police Foundation Scholarship. Please reach out to the NYPD Office of Professional Development for more information. We waive the application fee for all NYPD applicants regardless of the semester for which you apply.

The Thomas R. Pickering Scholarship: Selected Pickering Fellows accepted to NYU Wagner will be considered for 2 years of scholarship funding equivalent to 50% tuition for full-time study. We waive the application fee for all applicants affiliated with the Pickering Fellowship regardless of the semester for which you apply. Please review our NYU Wagner External Scholarship page for more information on the Thomas R. Pickering Graduate Fellowship Program or apply through the Thomas R. Pickering Graduate Fellowship Program page.

Public Policy and International Affairs (PPIA) Scholarship: Half-tuition scholarship awarded to up to two alumni of the PPIA Fellowship Program interested in pursuing full-time or part-time study for Master of Urban Planning and Master of Public Administration candidates. We waive the application fee for all PPIA members regardless of the semester for which you apply, but the scholarship is only available to those applying for Fall enrollment. Minimum annual award to PPIA fellows $5,000.

Nneka Fritz (WAG '08) Scholarship: Up to a full-tuition scholarship awarded to select students with an interest in economic development. Candidates should ideally be committed to using their education to benefit the Newark Area of New Jersey. Funded by the MCJ Amelior Foundation.

Brodsky Family Scholarship: Awarded to select incoming full-time and part-time MUP students interested in housing policy, affordable housing, and urban development. Established by Daniel Brodsky '70 and funded by the Daniel and Estrellita Brodsky Family Foundation.

Luther M. Gulick Scholarship: Awarded to select incoming full-time and part-time students interested international public policy or international development.

May and Samuel Rudin Family Foundation Scholarship: Awarded to select incoming or continuing students who work for public service organizations while enrolled at NYU Wagner.

Mayor's Graduate Scholarship Program (MGSP): Up to five partial tuition scholarships awarded for part-time study. To be eligible, you must be a full-time NYC government employee and submit your application directly to the Mayor’s Graduate Scholarship Program. MGSP scholarship consideration is applicable to newly admitted students during the Fall entry term only.

Military Service Scholarship: Half tuition scholarship awarded to select applicants who are military service members or veterans of the US Armed Forces.

The NYU Peace Corps Coverdell Fellowship offers a select group of Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) leadership development and financial support while pursuing a masters degree at NYU Wagner. The program awards a half-tuition scholarship, requires participation in the NYU Peace Corps Coverdell leadership development program, and a summer internship. 

EXTERNAL SCHOLARSHIPS  

Organizations and institutions external to NYU Wagner administer fellowship and scholarship programs that provide financial support to students from all over the world accepted into or enrolled in U.S. graduate programs. Learn more about them in the External Scholarship Directory. Every attempt has been made to provide accurate website links, eligibility criteria, and level of support provided, however, this information is subject to change. If you find information provided here is inaccurate, please email wagner.financialaid@nyu.edu so we can correct it.

Funding for current students

Ellen Schall Experience Fund (ESEF): NYU Wagner awards up to 25 students each year with $7,500 stipends to take on an unpaid public service summer internship. This funding program allows students to explore professional opportunities to achieve their career goals, regardless of compensation or financial need.