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University of Pennsylvania Fels Institute of Government

City Year is proud to partner with the University of Pennsylvania’s Fels Institute of Government, offering annual $15,000 tuition scholarships for the Master of Public Administration to City Year applicants, plus additional scholarship opportunities.

The University of Pennsylvania’s Fels Institute of Government offers City Year AmeriCorps members, alums and staff

$15,000 scholarships

The Admissions Partner Grant awards all admitted City Year applicants a minimum $15,000 annual tuition scholarship towards the full-time Master of Public Administration and Executive Master of Public Administration programs. The scholarship is renewable for up to two years.

Scholarships are awarded to City Year AmeriCorps members and alums who complete at least one term of service and City Year staff employed for at least two years.

Applicants will be considered for additional merit-based aid depending on the strength of their application.

Additional benefits

  • Application fee waiver

Why City Year loves the University of Pennsylvania’s Fels Institute of Government

The University of Pennsylvania’s Fels Institute of Government has pioneered the training and practice of public administration for over 85 years. Today, it builds on its legacy to prepare the next generation of public leaders. Whether you are already established in your career or seeking to enter the public or nonprofit sectors, each Fels program is designed to help you achieve your academic and career goals. Taught by high-level practitioners and distinguished Penn scholars, its curriculum brings the Fels approach of context, analysis and practice to life with real-world applications.

The full-time Master of Public Administration degree delivers the specialized knowledge, practical experience and valuable connections students need to achieve their career goals in just one year. This program is designed for early career professionals and individuals looking to work within the public administration or nonprofit sectors.

The Executive Master of Public Administration program is a practitioner-focused degree designed to meet the needs of experienced professionals who want to advance in or enter the public sector without interrupting their careers. The low-residency format of the program offers the opportunity to complete an Ivy League degree in less than two years while continuing to work full time in and beyond the Philadelphia region.

To apply

Application deadlines and details vary by program.

Visit the full-time Master of Public Administration’s admissions website for details on deadlines, the application process and to apply online.

Visit the Executive Master of Public Administration’s admissions website for details on deadlines, the application process and to apply online.

To identify your City Year affiliation

Applicants should identify their City Year affiliation on their résumé and in their personal statement.

To access the application fee waiver and apply for the scholarship

To request an application fee waiver code, please email Mary Bustamante, admissions manager, at lps@sas.upenn.edu. The fee waiver code must be used on the payment screen before submitting the application.

To be considered for the scholarship, a service verification letter must be requested by emailing alumni@cityyear.org with “Penn Fels” in the subject line. Within the email, include the site where you served and your AmeriCorps graduation month and year. This letter will be sent electronically by City Year to the admissions office and added to your applicant file.

To contact the admissions office

Please call (215) 898-7326 or email felsinstitute@sas.upenn.edu with any questions.

Please note that all admissions and scholarship decisions are made by the educational institution. AmeriCorps members, alums and staff interested in these scholarships must complete the full application process for the institution. Please pay close attention to deadlines and consider beginning work on your applications early in the year.

Become a City Year AmeriCorps member

With more than 100 university and career partners, City Year can help you launch your professional career in any industry. Join our community for access to exclusive scholarships and opportunities nationwide.

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