New York City’s Mayor’s Scholarship Program has opened its graduate application cycle for 2027–28. It serves full-time municipal government employees who already hold a bachelor’s degree or will complete one before the program starts. The opportunity allows graduate study at participating institutions while keeping city employment; it is not a general scholarship for city residents or private-sector workers.
Awardees must remain full-time city employees while enrolled, maintain good academic standing, and attend classes on their own time. The city does not require a minimum length of service and does not require recipients to remain in municipal employment after graduation. Each university sets its own admission, program, and, where applicable, exam or experience requirements.
The city application package must reach the employee’s agency personnel office by Friday, November 13, 2026; some agencies impose an earlier internal date. Applicants submit a separate application for each school, with a letter of intent, three essays, proof of the school application, and other required materials. They must also apply directly to the institution and meet its separate deadline.
One important distinction: DCAS’s FAQ says the city itself does not fund or select scholarship recipients. Participating institutions provide the awards and decide whom to select; the current offering guide lists eligible schools and programs. Before preparing essays, confirm that the graduate program appears in that guide, ask agency HR about internal routing, and contact the school about award amounts and remaining costs.
Before submitting, confirm whether the deadline is national, state, school, or campus-based, who must send each document, and the time zone. Keep receipts and check application status. Ask the financial-aid office how the award combines with FAFSA, other scholarships, and the full cost of attendance.
Read the aid-program profile and the FAFSA guide; confirm how funding is coordinated.
Mayor’s Graduate Scholarship Program — NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services.
Graduate Scholarship Application 2027–2028 — NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services.
Graduate Scholarship FAQs 2027–2028 — NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services.
Information verified against official sources on October 13, 2026. Amounts, dates, and rules can change; confirm the cycle and terms with the administering organization before submitting documents or accepting an award.
Confirm eligibility and the deadline on the official cycle page before submitting.
Options to compare
These options relate to the question. Read each profile and check current details before deciding.
Mayor’s Scholarship Program Graduate Scholarships
New York City’s Mayor’s Scholarship Program has opened its graduate application cycle for 2027–28. It serves full-time municipal government employees who already hold a bachelor’s degree or will complete one before the program starts. The opportunity allows graduate study at participating institutions while keeping city employment; it is not a general scholarship for city residents or private-sector workers. Awardees must remain full-time city employees while enrolled, mainta
College scholarship and financial-aid program
Federal Student Aid — U.S. Department of Education
The agency sets rates, eligibility, and caps; the college certifies need, cost, and the individual amount within those limits.
Public student-aid administering office
Sources & references
Sources for the information and reporting discussed in this guide.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official program information and application ↗
Primary source
NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Mayor’s Scholarship Program Graduate Scholarships ↗
Primary source
NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Mayor’s Scholarship Program Graduate Scholarships ↗
Primary source
NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Federal Student Aid — U.S. Department of Education ↗
Primary source
Federal Student Aid · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Federal Student Aid — U.S. Department of Education ↗
Primary source
Federal Student Aid · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.