University of Pennsylvania, Social Policy & Practice

The University of Pennsylvania’s School of Social Policy and Practice offers City Year AmeriCorps members, alums and staff

$15,000-$18,750 scholarships

The University of Pennsylvania’s School of Social Policy and Practice will provide five City Year National Service Scholarships for the following programs:

• Master of Social Work (full time or part time): The award totals $30,000 ($15,000 per year) for the two-year social work program for up to two City Year applicants per year.
• Master of Social Work (advanced standing): The award totals $18,750 for the one-year social work program for one City Year applicant per year.
• Master of Science in social policy: The award totals $18,750 for the one-year social policy program for one City Year applicant per year.
• Master of Science in nonprofit leadership: The award totals $18,750 for the one-year nonprofit leadership program for one City Year applicant per year.

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 may be considered for additional merit-based aid depending on the academic strength of their application. However, City Year National Service Scholarships cannot be combined with other School of Social Policy and Practice scholarships.

Additional benefits

• Application fee waiver
• Enrollment deferral: Admitted City Year National Service Scholars may defer enrollment by one year if they choose to serve additional time with City Year before starting their studies.

Why City Year loves the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Social Policy and Practice

The School of Social Policy and Practice, formerly Penn Social Work, has long been known for its commitment to social justice and educating students committed to taking an active role in fighting oppression. It brings together innovative programs, world-class faculty and research, transdisciplinary collaboration and immersive fieldwork to provide an unparalleled educational experience in pursuit of social justice.

The School of Social Policy and Practice contributes to the advancement of more effective, efficient and humane human services through education, action, research and civic engagement. In pursuit of this mission, its theory-based master’s and doctoral programs in social work, social welfare, nonprofit leadership and social policy encourage students to think and work across disciplinary lines and cultures as well as across national and international boundaries.

To apply

Please visit the social work, social policy or nonprofit leadership admissions pages to apply online.

To identify your City Year affiliation

To identify your City Year affiliation, a service verification letter must be received by the School of Social Policy and Practice’s admissions office by December 15th (nonprofit leadership program) or January 15th (social work and social policy programs). Please email alumni@cityyear.org with “PENN SP2: City Year verification letter request” in the subject line and include your service site and dates of service in the email. This letter will be sent to the admissions office on your behalf.

To access the application fee waiver and apply for the scholarship

To request the application fee waiver, email apply@sp2.upenn.edu with your name and state your current or past affiliation/service with City Year.

Applicants who complete the application process by December 15th for the nonprofit leadership program or January 15th for the social work and social policy programs are automatically considered for the City Year National Service Scholarships. All supplemental admission materials, including letters of recommendation and applicable test scores, must be submitted by these dates.

To contact the admissions office

Please contact the admissions office by calling (215) 746-1934 or emailing apply@sp2.upenn.edu.

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.