NYU Wagner takes part in the graduate track of the Mayor’s Scholarship Program (until 2026 the Mayor’s Graduate Scholarship Program), run by the city’s Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS). The school funds the awards and picks recipients; DCAS only screens files.
Recipients keep their full-time city job and study part-time for an MPA or MUP. Applications for the 2027–28 academic year are open now.
Benefits & funding
- Latest published NYU Wagner offering (2026–27): up to five awards a year, each up to $10,000 toward tuition, for part-time students.
- 2027–28 figures sit in the city’s online offering guide and may change.
- Awards cannot be deferred; funding continues only while you stay a full-time city employee in good academic standing.
- No duty to stay in city service after graduating.
Eligibility
- Full-time New York City government employee when applying and throughout the degree; classes taken on your own time.
- Bachelor’s degree completed by the start of the scholarship year.
- Newly admitted to NYU Wagner; its scholarship page limits consideration to Fall entrants (the 2026–27 city guide also allowed spring starts).
- Degrees (2026–27 guide): MPA in Public & Nonprofit Management & Policy or Health Policy & Management, or MUP in Urban Planning.
- At least two years of professional experience and a strong academic record (2026–27 guide).
- No minimum length of city service; no nationality or age rule published.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
Education required
Bachelor
Experience required
≥ 2 yrs
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Application process
- 1Check that NYU Wagner and your degree appear in the Graduate Scholarship Offering Guide.
- 2Send NYU Wagner a letter of intent and apply to the school online.
- 3Complete a separate city application for NYU Wagner with three essays (two pages each at most).
- 4Submit it to your agency personnel office by November 13, 2026 (some agencies set earlier dates) for agency-head endorsement.
- 5Email proof of your NYU Wagner application to the program by the school’s confirmation date in the guide.
Program timeline
Filing period opened
September 21, 2026
Online info session; virtual school fair
October 15 and 19, 2026
Graduate school fair
November 2, 2026
Package due to agency personnel office
November 13, 2026
Review and school decisions
November 2026 to summer 2027