The NYU Peace Corps Coverdell Fellowship supports eligible Returned Peace Corps Volunteers admitted to NYU Wagner. Fellows pursue an MPA in Public and Nonprofit Management and Policy, an MPA in Health Policy and Management, or a Master of Urban Planning in New York City.
The fellowship combines graduate study with leadership development and community service. Fellows complete 160 hours of internship or volunteer work at a local nonprofit or government agency serving high-needs communities.
Benefits & funding
- A 50% tuition scholarship; the Peace Corps partner listing values it at $58,500 against $117,000 in tuition and fees.
- Waiver of the NYU Wagner application fee.
- Individual career coaching and tailored career-development workshops.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be Returned Peace Corps Volunteers with lifetime Coverdell eligibility: completion-of-service status, medical separation, interrupted service for circumstances beyond their control, or qualifying Peace Corps Response or Advancing Health Professionals service.
- Peace Corps Response or Advancing Health Professionals applicants generally need 12 months of service within 24 months; the requirement is waived for those evacuated in March 2020 because of COVID-19.
- Applicants must seek Fall admission to an eligible NYU Wagner MPA or MUP program and hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent for graduate admission.
- Dual master’s degree students at NYU are not eligible for NYU Wagner Named Fellowship programs.
- No minimum professional-experience requirement is stated for the MPA or MUP, although NYU Wagner prefers two years of relevant experience.
- Fellows must complete the 160-hour local service placement and participate in the leadership-development program.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
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Education required
Bachelor
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Application process
- 1Start the NYU Wagner online graduate application for Fall 2027.
- 2Select Peace Corps under affiliations and provide a Description of Service or a signed certification letter from the applicant’s Country Director.
- 3Submit two essays, a résumé, two recommendation letters, and transcripts through the admissions application; no separate scholarship essay is required.
- 4Apply by NYU Wagner’s published Fall Early Action priority deadline; later submissions are considered only if funding remains.
Program timeline
Applications are open.
Fall 2027
Typical Early Action priority window; the exact current date is not published on the accessible official pages.
Late November or early December
After admission decision
Scholarship notification is typically issued within 24–48 hours.
Program begins.
Early September