CUNY Graduate School of Public Health & Health Policy
CUNY Graduate School of Public Health & Health Policy
CUNY Graduate School of Public Health & Health Policy
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Scholarships & Fellowships

Contact the Financial Aid Office
financialaid@sph.cuny.edu
(646) 364-9545
55 West 125th Street
Room 545
New York, NY 10027

CUNY SPH, the Office of the Dean, the CUNY SPH Foundation, and the Graduate Student Government Association (GSGA) offer scholarships, fellowships, grants, and awards to help master’s and doctoral students reach their full potential during their time at school. Below is a listing of these funding opportunities from CUNY SPH and partners, along with a selection of other scholarships and fellowships from external sources.

For master’s students

Who for? First year MS students in Population Health Informatics or Health Communication for Social Change
How much? 18 credits of in-state tuition
Description CUNY SPH awards several Dean’s Scholarships to master of science students based on a demonstrated history of academic excellence. Scholarships cover a portion in-state tuition during the first year of study.
Eligibility Requirements
 Overall GPA of 3.5 or higher. Eligible students will automatically be considered for this scholarship via their completed SOPHAS application. No additional application is needed. Once awarded a Dean’s Scholarship, enrollees must register for at least 6 or 9 credits per semester and maintain a minimum of a 3.0 Graduate GPA. Limited numbers of scholarships are awarded each semester. Scholarships are not guaranteed to each eligible applicant. Applicants must submit a completed SOPHAS application by Aug 1 to be eligible.
Who for? Incoming Spring or Fall 2025 graduate student at CUNY SPH enrolled in an MPH or MS program (see additional eligibility requirements)
How much? $1250 per semester for four consecutive semesters ($5,000 total) starting in Fall 2025
Description The goal of the Molina Health Equity Scholarship Fund is to support students who have the academic and interpersonal competencies to excel in public health careers, and who have demonstrated a commitment to working within Latino communities to address the social determinants of health.

Despite the sustained growth of the Latino population and their contributions to the economic and social fabric of the U.S., they continue to experience the economic and social inequities that produce poor health outcomes. These unmet needs require a public health workforce prepared to address the social determinants of health to achieve health equity for Latinos in New York City and beyond.

Launched by Marilyn Aguirre-Molina and Carlos W. Molina in 2022 and approved for endowment by the CUNY Board of Trustees in December 2023, the Molina Health Equity Scholarship Fund is described by them “… as our way of giving back to CUNY that made our careers and the success that followed possible. We hope it does the same for others”.

Molina Health Equity Scholars receive a scholarship award toward their tuition for four consecutive semesters. The Scholarship Fund includes a biennial Molina Health Equity Summit which welcomes current and prior scholarship recipients to learn from experts the latest public health efforts to address the needs of U.S. Latino populations.

The Scholarship Program is directed by Distinguished Professor of Epidemiology, Dr. Luisa N. Borrell, a respected scholar and mentor to students who have gone on to successful public health careers.

Molina Scholars benefit from the generous mentorship and expertise of the Molinas and Dr. Borrell, as well as the camaraderie and professional network of their fellow scholars.
Eligibility Requirements
 Students must be accepted to enter CUNY SPH in Spring or Fall 2025. Scholarship applicants must reside in New York and be first-time graduate degree candidates. Applicants must have experience working in Latino communities in the U.S., be fluent in Spanish, and demonstrate their commitment to working towards health equity for Latinos. Once selected, scholars are required to attend an orientation meeting, meet at least once a semester with the Scholarship Program Director, maintain a minimum GPA of 3.5, and participate in the biennial Molina Health Equity Summit. Additionally, recipients are encouraged to participate in educational and related Scholarship meetings and programs.
Application
 Complete the Dr. Marilyn Aguirre-Molina & Dr. Carlos W. Molina Scholarship Fund supplemental application by May 8, 2025. Qualified candidates will be invited to interview by May 10, 2025.
Who for? MS students in the Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences program
How much? At least 24 credits of in-state tuition reimbursement.
Description The MS in industrial hygiene is an ABET accredited program funded through the National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety Education and Research Centers (NIOSH ERC) grant. CUNY SPH is part of the New York-New Jersey Occupational Safety & Health Center ERC. Students admitted into the MS degree program are eligible for at least 24 credits of tuition reimbursement. Admission criteria for the MS degree include a baccalaureate degree in a science or engineering, and a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. Considerations will be given to promising applicants that are currently working in the field. All applicants must have completed at least 40 credit hours in the following courses: biology, chemistry, health sciences, mathematics, statistics, physics, or engineering prior to admission.
Eligibility Requirements Eligible students will automatically be considered for this scholarship. No additional application needed.
Who for? MS students in the Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences program
How much? Full coverage of in-state tuition
Description The development of new technologies for detection of environmental contaminants have increased considerably in the last 15 years. The technology in the form of new sensors, smartphone applications, and wearables devices are widely available to researchers as well as consumers interested in obtaining spatial and temporally resolved environmental data. The overall goal of this training program is to add significant new research opportunities for students in MS EOHS program. In addition to tuition reimbursement, we will provide five graduate assistantships per year (approximately $20,000) for students to work with faculty mentors in the research areas of sensor technology development and validation.
Eligibility Requirements
 Applicants must first have applied successfully to the MS program in Environmental Health Sciences. Eligibility is restricted to U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are prepared to work part time with a faculty mentor. Suitable for students in CUNY SPH’s 4+1 programs as well as other students.

For doctoral students

Who for? Doctoral Students
How much? Varies depending on proposals.
Description The Dean’s Dissertation Grant is available to PhD students who are actively enrolled and in good academic standing, have successfully defended their dissertation proposal, and have received Institutional Review Board approval for their dissertation proposal.
Who for? Doctoral Students
How much? Full in-state tuition and $5,200-$27,000 stipend per year depending on work requirements
Length 3 academic years
Description
 The Dean’s Fellowship is available to incoming PhD students. Funding is awarded to applicants based on merit, fit with departmental priorities, and demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and social justice. Once awarded a Dean’s Fellowship, enrollees must register for at least 7 credits per semester. Limited numbers of fellowships are awarded each year and are not guaranteed to each eligible applicant. Open to all applicants. Eligible students will automatically be considered for this fellowship via their completed SOPHAS application.
Who for? Doctoral students (number of recipients varies depending on funding availability)
How much? Full in-state tuition and a $35,000 annual stipend
Length
 3 academic years
Description Provided by a generous endowment from Dr. Lyndon Haviland and grant from CUNY SPH, the doctoral fellowship in migrant health provides one doctoral student with the opportunity to develop their theoretical knowledge and practical skills in using policy and public health strategies to address issues related to migrant health. The fellow should be interested in pursuing doctoral research in one of the three following areas: migrant health policy; equitable health care systems and universal health coverage; or health policy in humanitarian crises, including (but not limited to) health policy and access for refugees, displaced and stateless persons. Student will be required to register for a minimum of 7 credits per semester and work 15 hours per week with the Center for Immigrant, Refugee and Global Health throughout the term of their fellowship. Open to all applicants. Interested applicants are required to fill out this supplemental application.
Who for? Doctoral students (number of recipients varies depending on funding availability)
How much? $5,000 annual stipend, annually
Length
 3 academic years
Description Provided by a generous grant from Dr. Michael Apa, the doctoral fellowship in oral population health provides one doctoral student with the opportunity to develop their theoretical knowledge and practical skills to address oral health at a population level and thus improve health outcomes for all New Yorkers. Student will be required to register for a minimum of 7 credits per semester and work collaboratively with Dr. Luisa Borrell on research in the area of oral health and health equity, to teach one course per academic year and to develop/lead a new club for oral population health. Prior dental training and/or experience is required, with experience in New York City preferred. Open to all applicants.
Eligibility Requirements
 Applicants must apply and be admitted to a CUNY SPH PhD program.
Application
 Eligible students can apply with their resume and a personal statement using this form. Top candidates will be contacted for a follow up interview.  Please apply by May 31, 2024
Who for? Doctoral students (number of recipients varies depending on funding availability)
How much? Full in-state tuition, annually (additional stipends may be available, varies by department and Center/Institute)
Length
 Varies
Description Available to incoming PhD students. Please contact your department for more specific information. Funding is awarded to applicants based on merit, fit with departmental or Center/Institute priorities, and demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and social justice. Once awarded, enrollees may need to register for at least 7 credits per semester (varies by type of funding). Limited number of awards available each year and are not guaranteed to each eligible applicant. Open to all applicants.

For all students

Who for? All active students
How much? Saves each student $85 per year.
Description The American Public Health Association is a critical organization for public health students to be involved in. It offers invaluable opportunities to participate in research and service groups, present and share findings, and network with peers across the U.S. to enhance future professional and scholarly opportunities.
Who for? Any CUNY SPH student with an accepted poster or oral presentation at the annual American Public Health Association conference.
How much? $1,000
Description The opportunity to present one’s research at the annual APHA conference gives CUNY SPH students the opportunity to share their work, learn from others, and build relationships that will serve them throughout their future careers. The Dean’s APHA travel award is intended to encourage the widest possible student participation at APHA.
Who for? CUNY SPH students and alumni can now receive a $70 discount when they take the Certified in Public Health (CPH) exam.
How much? $70 off the CPH Exam
Description The Certified in Public Health (CPH) credential distinguishes you as a public health professional at the cutting edge of an ever-evolving field. This credential – the only one of its kind for public health – demonstrates your knowledge of key public health sciences and your commitment to the field through continuing education. Please see this page for more details!
Who for? Active students
How much? Varies
Description The GSGA offers various awards that students may apply for. Please see the GSGA website for details on available awards.

Scholarships and Fellowships from other sources

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