The Mayor’s Scholarship Program builds on 60 years of success connecting City employees with graduate scholarships
Applications for undergraduate scholarships are open March 30 through April 27; graduate applications scholarships to open mid-September
Today, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) Commissioner Yume Kitasei launched the City’s first undergraduate scholarship program for municipal employees, with applications opening March 30.
The new undergraduate track expands the longstanding Mayor’s Graduate Scholarship Program, which has provided financial assistance to City employees for more than 60 years. Both programs will now operate under the rebranded “Mayor’s Scholarship Program,” overseen by DCAS.
The Mayor’s Scholarship Program gives full-time New York City government employees the opportunity to pursue undergraduate and advanced degrees at participating colleges and universities across the region. The addition of undergraduate scholarships responds to sustained demand from City workers seeking support to earn bachelor’s and associate degrees.
Applications to the graduate program have surged in recent years, increasing more than 30% over the past two years. Participating institutions collectively award between $360k and $530k in scholarships to City employees every year.
“Our city moves when our workers do,” said Mayor Mamdani. “For more than 60 years, this program has shown that when you make education accessible, working people seize the opportunity. By expanding it to include undergraduate degrees, we are investing in a new generation of public servants who act ambitiously, think creatively and believe firmly in government’s power to deliver for the many.”
“Education is one of the most powerful tools we have to open doors, expand minds and build the skilled workforce our city needs to solve today and tomorrow’s challenges,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Julia Kerson. “The new undergraduate scholarship will help remove financial barriers for City workers, creating pathways to professional growth and development.”
“Education is a powerful investment in our employees and the future of city government,” said DCAS Commissioner Yume Kitsaei. “By expanding the Mayor’s Scholarship Program to include both undergraduate and graduate degrees, we are opening the doors for professional growth and building an even stronger workforce for New York City.”
The undergraduate scholarship program launches in partnership with 10 colleges and universities, with additional institutions in the pipeline. The graduate program has grown to include more than 30 participating schools, including Adelphi University, Columbia University, Baruch College, New York University and others.
All scholarships are awarded and funded directly by participating institutions. The Mayor's Scholarship Program does not provide direct funding.
The initial cohort of undergraduate partner institutions includes:
- Adelphi University
- Albertus Magnus College
- Columbia University School of General Studies
- CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies
- Fordham University
- Lehman College
- Montclair State University
- Marist University
- Metropolitan College of New York
- Purchase College, SUNY
The Mamdani administration is continuing to expand workforce development initiatives and create new pathways for career advancement. Based on a recent sampling of approximately 100,000 City employees, nearly half did not hold an undergraduate degree.
The application period for the first undergraduate cohort will run from March 30 through April 27, with selected participants expected to begin their studies in fall 2026. Applications for the graduate scholarship cohort application will open in mid-September.
City employees must apply through their agency personnel offices and meet the admissions requirements of participating institutions. Additional information is available on the Mayor’s Scholarship Program website.
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