Columbia SPS CUNY Fellowship

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the CUNY Fellowship?

The Columbia CUNY Fellowship Program was created to prepare talented, high-performing CUNY graduates to lead, innovate, drive community impact, and advance their professional industries through program engagement, mentorship, and career development opportunities.

What benefits do CUNY Fellowship Award recipients receive?

All selected fellows will receive the following benefits:

• Full-tuition
• Student health insurance
• Stipend per semester
• Mentorship program
• Community and professional development activities
• Access to Columbia University’s vast alumni network

How do I apply?

All of our applications are submitted online. You can create your applications by clicking here.

Who is eligible for the CUNY fellowship?

To be eligible, students must meet the following qualifications:

• Current CUNY seniors or recent graduates (bachelor’s or master’s degree May 2023 or later)
• Applying to a School of Professional Studies full-time or part-time Master of Science program for the Fall 2025 term

Do I need to create separate applications?

Yes, you will need to create two separate applications. You will need one application for the CUNY Fellowship and a separate application for the master’s degree program of your choosing. 

What are the application deadlines?

The CUNY Fellowship application AND your Master's degree program application is due by January 6, 2025.

Please keep in mind that ALL application materials must be submitted by the deadline dates. 

Tip: Students should submit their master's degree application first followed by submitting their CUNY Fellowship application.

Do I need to receive the master’s decision first before applying for the fellowship?

No, you can submit both applications for consideration simultaneously. Keep in mind that this does not mean both decisions will be released at the same time. 

When will I receive my decisions? 

• Decisions to the master’s programs are released on a rolling basis. You will receive your decision within 6-8 weeks of your completed application.   
• Fellowship decisions will be released in March. 

If I don’t receive the fellowship, will I still be able to join my master’s program if admitted?

Yes, you will still be able to matriculate into the master’s program if you were not offered the fellowship. We recommended that you get in contact with Student Financial Services to inquire about other forms of aid if needed. 

What are the eligible degree programs?

Below is a list of the eligible MS and MPS programs at Columbia SPS.

• Actuarial Science »
• Applied Analytics »
• Bioethics »
• Construction Administration »
• Enterprise Risk Management »
• Human Capital Management »
• Information and Knowledge Strategy »
• Insurance Management
• Narrative Medicine »
• Negotiation and Conflict Resolution »
• Nonprofit Management »
• Political Analytics »
• Sports Management »
• Strategic Communication »
• Sustainability Management »
• Sustainability Science »
• Technology Management »
• Wealth Management

What are the application requirements for the master’s programs?

Please visit the website for your program of choice and carefully read the Application Requirements for the program. Each program has a unique prompt for the statement of academic purpose and supplemental essay (where applicable), and other requirements, such as the need to provide standardized test scores, may also differ.

How much time do I have to complete the program?

• Full-time students will have 3 semesters to complete their program.
• Part-time students will have 6 semesters to complete their program.

Will there be application fees for both applications?

• The CUNY fellowship application is free to submit. 
• The MS application fee will be waived for students applying to the fellowship program. 

Can I still apply for the fellowship if I’ve already been accepted to an MPS or MS for Fall 2025?

Yes, you can still apply. You must apply by the January 6 deadline.