Harvard Graduate School of Education

HGSE offers City Year AmeriCorps members, alumni, and staff $10,000 tuition scholarships.

Two City Year applicants enrolling in HGSE’s Ed.M. programs will receive $10,000 tuition scholarships. Applicants will also be considered for additional merit-based aid based on the strength of the application.

Additional benefits

• • No application fee (Ed.M. only). Please note that the Ph.D. program is administered by a separate school, the Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and is not eligible for application fee waivers.
  • Eligible for HGSE’s new Public Service Priority Pathway (PSPP). PSPP is designed for prospective students completing national service programs like City Year, offering a structured, multi-year path toward admission for our residential Ed.M.
  • Dedicated one-on-one and small group sessions with HGSE admissions staff
  • Occasional, partner-specific information sessions
  • Harvard GSE will match, up to $5,000, the value of a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award applied toward tuition by a City Year AmeriCorps member, alumnus, or staff member who demonstrates qualifying financial need

Why City Year loves HGSE

The mission of the Harvard Graduate School of Education is to prepare education leaders and innovators who will change the world by expanding opportunities and outcomes for learners everywhere. To that end, HGSE offers two doctoral and six Ed.M. programs that can accelerate one’s impact at all levels and across all roles in the education field. With exceptional faculty mentors, highly personalized degree plans, a lifelong network of innovative colleagues and friends, and a deep commitment to social justice, HGSE helps students pursue ambitious goals and establish an impactful, rewarding, and successful career in education.

To apply

You can start your HGSE admission application at https://www.gse.harvard.edu/admissions-and-aid/apply.

Applications for Fall 2027 enrollment open in August 2026 and application deadlines range from November 1, 2026 to January 5, 2027 depending on the program.

To identify your City Year affiliation

Please complete our Partnership Benefits Form and indicate City Year in the Referral Information section.

To access the application fee waiver and apply for the scholarship

To access the application fee waiver, indicate affiliation with City Year when prompted within the application, submit the application, but do not pay the associated fee.

As long as you self-attest your City Year affiliation per the above, you will be automatically considered for the scholarship.

To contact the admissions office

Please email us at gseadmissions@harvard.edu with any questions.