Master's Degree Funding

Breakthrough of Greater Philadelphia recruits college students to teach in their program, building a pathway for diverse, talented educators.

Penn GSE awards a minimum of $20,000 scholarships towards tuition to any Breakthrough of Greater Philadelphia member in the first year of their program. This scholarship can be combined with need-based aid and other merit scholarships up to the cost of tuition. 

Eligibility

All full-time students who are eligible members or alumni of Breakthrough of Greater Philadelphia who have enrolled in either the Urban Teaching Apprenticeship, M.S.Ed., or Urban Teaching Residency, M.S.Ed., including accelerated students. 

How to Apply

In your application for admission, identify yourself as a member of Breakthrough of Greater Philadelphia. To be considered for this award, applicants must apply by a program's priority deadline.

Note that members are eligible for an application fee waiver if applying after March 1.

City Year is an education-focused nonprofit that unites young people of all backgrounds for a year of full-time service, helping students stay in school and succeed. Penn GSE’s partnership with City Year reflects a shared commitment to using knowledge and service to address social challenges.

In recognition of this partnership, Penn GSE awards a minimum of $15,000 scholarships towards tuition to two eligible City Year corps members, alumni, or staff. This scholarship can be combined with need-based aid and other merit scholarships up to the cost of tuition. 

Eligibility

All full-time master's students who are City Year members, alumni, or staff. 

• City Year Corps Members: Must have completed at least one year of service.
• City Year Staff: Must have been employed by City Year for two years. 

How to Apply

In your application for admission, identify yourself as a City Year member, alumnus, or staff member and submit the Certification of Service. To be considered for this award, applicants must apply by a program's priority deadline.

Note that members are eligible for an application fee waiver if applying after March 1.

Penn GSE has a deep commitment to fostering a community of scholars with a wide range of perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds and expanding educational access to all students. 

Towards this end, Penn GSE offers the Dean’s Fellowship: Power of Possibility, a half-tuition scholarship to a number of our incoming master’s students, with special consideration given to students who have a demonstrated financial need, or to students who have worked with and will continue to serve communities in need. This scholarship can be combined with need-based aid and other merit scholarships up to the cost of tuition.

Eligibility

Both domestic and international students applying for full-time enrollment in any of the non-executive, in-person master's degree programs with a demonstrated commitment to serving communities in need will be considered. School and Mental Health Counseling is also an eligible program. 

How to Apply

Students will be automatically considered for these prestigious half-tuition awards at the time of application review; there is no additional application process. Fellowship recipients will be notified of their award at the time of admission notification. To be considered for this award, applicants must apply by a program's priority deadline.

The Empowerment Through Education Scholarship reflects Penn GSE’s commitment to expanding access and fostering an inclusive community that serves all individuals. Penn GSE awards a scholarship of up to $20,000 towards tuition for the Urban Teaching Apprenticeship, M.S.Ed. program.

Consideration for this scholarship is independent of merit-based and need-based awards, and recipients may combine it with need-based aid and other merit scholarships up to the cost of tuition. 

Eligibility

Both domestic and international applicants to the Urban Teaching Apprenticeship, M.S.Ed. 

How to Apply

Applicants to the Urban Teaching Apprenticeship, M.S.Ed. are automatically considered during the application review process and will be notified of any award upon admission. To be considered for this award, applicants must apply by a program's priority deadline.

The Franklin Fellowship is a unique opportunity for Franklin & Marshall College (F&M) undergraduates who are committed to long-term teaching in the Philadelphia area are guaranteed a minimum $15,000 scholarship. 

This scholarship can be combined with need-based aid and other merit scholarships up to the cost of tuition.

Eligibility

Franklin & Marshall College undergraduates admitted to the Urban Teaching Residency, M.S.Ed.

How to Apply

Identify yourself as a graduate of F&M University in the GSE application for admission. To be considered for this award, applicants must apply by 12/15. The priority review deadline does not impact scholarship eligibility. 

Recipients of the Fulbright award for graduate studies will receive a $25,000 scholarship from Penn GSE. This scholarship can be combined with funding from Fulbright-affiliated organizations. 

This scholarship can be combined with need-based aid.

Eligibility

All full-time master's programs, except online-only programs. Students must be using a Fulbright to attend Penn GSE (prior awardees not eligible). 

How to Apply

Identify yourself as a Fulbright Scholar on your application for admission. To be considered for this award, applicants must apply by a program's priority deadline.

The Japan Exchange and Teaching Program Alumni Association of the United States of America (JETAA USA) acts as an umbrella and amplifier for regional alumni efforts, ensuring that JET Program’s legacy in the U.S.–Japan cultural and educational exchange continues well beyond participants’ time in Japan.

Penn GSE awards a minimum scholarship of $15,000 toward tuition for the programs listed below. This scholarship can be combined with need-based aid and other merit scholarships up to the cost of tuition.

Eligibility

Must be a JET Program alumni and a full-time Penn GSE student admitted to one of the following programs:

• Education, Culture and Society, M.S.Ed.
• Education Policy, M.S.Ed.
• Higher Education, M.S.Ed.
• Language, Globalization and Intercultural Studies, M.S.Ed.
• Learning Sciences and Technologies, M.S.Ed.
• Literacy Studies, M.S.Ed.
• Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, M.S.Ed.
• Teaching, Learning, and Leadership, M.S.Ed.
• Urban Teaching Apprenticeship, M.S.Ed.
• Urban Teacher Residency, M.S.Ed.

How to Apply

Identify yourself as a JET Program alumnus on the application for admission. To be considered for this award, applicants must apply by a program's priority deadline.

Note that members are eligible for an application fee waiver if applying after March 1.

The Paul D. Coverdell Fellows Program recognizes Returned Peace Corps Volunteers and provides an opportunity to continue their relationship with the Peace Corps while pursuing graduate studies at Penn. Penn GSE awards up to three scholarships of $20,300 towards tuition to the International Educational Development, M.S.Ed. program.

This scholarship can be combined with need-based aid and other merit scholarships up to the cost of tuition.

Eligibility

A Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, and you must be enrolled as a full-time student in the International Educational Development, M.S.Ed. program. 

How to Apply

Indicate Peace Corps Service by completing the question, “Have you served in the Peace Corps?” within the online application. To be considered for this award, applicants must apply by a program's priority deadline.

The Philadelphia Writing Project (PhilWP) Fellows will work as graduate assistants for PhilWP, gaining hands-on research experience while assisting in nationally recognized studies and professional development initiatives. Penn GSE will award a half-tuition scholarship to two incoming Literacy Studies, M.S.Ed. students.

Additionally, fellows will receive:

• Enrollment in PhilWP’s Summer Invitational Institute, a two-week professional development experience leading to Teacher Consultant certification. This certification makes fellows eligible to facilitate paid professional development activities across the district and region.
• Opportunities to participate in professional learning experiences and community partnership work throughout Philadelphia and across the U.S.

Cannot be combined with any other GSE scholarships. 

Eligibility

Must be enrolled as a full-time Literacy Studies, M.S.Ed student. 

How to Apply

Students can apply for this fellowship opportunity when completing their application to the Literacy Studies, M.S.Ed. program. In addition to the general application requirements, students applying for this fellowship will be asked to write a 250-word statement on their interest in becoming a PhilWP Fellow.

Through generous foundation support and partnership with The School District of Philadelphia’s Pathway to Leadership (PTL) Principal Preparation Program, the School Leadership, M.S.Ed. Public/Charter School Track Program is pleased to offer $20,000 scholarships in addition to the $25,000 School District of Philadelphia Pathway to Leadership scholarship to aspiring school leaders. 

Eligibility

Applicants must submit two separate applications: one to the School Leadership master’s program (Public/Charter track) and a separate application to the PTL program through the School District of Philadelphia. The School District will select applicants to the PTL program. GSE does not have a role in selecting PTL members. 

How to Apply

In the personal statement, applicants should reference their careers with the School District of Philadelphia, why they chose to work in the district, and their school leadership goals. Those interested must also submit the general online application for Penn GSE master's program in School Leadership and apply to The School District of Philadelphia Pathway to Leadership Program. 

Penn GSE students in the programs below who are admitted to the Early Childhood Education and Family Studies (ECEFS) Academic Certificate will be invited to apply to be a Suzanne McGraw Scholar. Selected students will receive a partial scholarship to support their tuition for the 2025-2026 academic year.

Eligibility

Must be a full-time Penn GSE student admitted to the Early Childhood Education and Family Studies (ECEFS) Academic Certificate program and one of the following degree programs:

• Education Policy, M.S.Ed.
• Education, Culture, and Society, M.S.Ed.
• Interdisciplinary Studies in Human Development, M.S.Ed.
• International Educational Development, M.S.Ed.
• Language, Globalization, and Intercultural Studies, M.S.Ed.
• Literacy Studies, M.S.Ed.
• Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, M.S.Ed.
• Teaching, Learning, and Leadership, M.S.Ed.

How to Apply

After admission, selected students will be invited to apply separately for this award. The application entails a brief essay.