City Scholarship Program Opens Doors for Staff

By HOWARD MEGDAL

Applications are still being accepted for the Mayor's Graduate Scholarship Program, which has provided financial help to city employees working towards additional college degrees since its founding in 1969.

The Chief-Leader/Pat Arnow CHERYL RAFRA: Program of personal growth.

"It was originally a recruitment tool," MGSP Director Cheryl Rafra said during a Sept. 19 phone interview. "Also, to provide credentials for city employees who had learned new skills but did not have credentials to back up their skills."

Program Blossomed

The program, which began with a partnership with Pace University, has now expanded to 38 schools within 22 institutions in the metropolitan area, such as Fordham Law School, New York University's School of Social Work, and the College of New Rochelle's School of Nursing.

The colleges participating agree to provide partial scholarships in exchange for the city's help in determining the best candidate. Between 300 and 500 employees submit applications to the Department of Citywide Administrative Services, and 200 to 300 are sent by DCAS to participating institutions.

Last year, 56 employees received awards from MGSP. So far, 34 have done so in 2006.

"The guidelines are very strict," Ms. Rafra said. "Employees need to pay attention to make sure that they are eligible. If an employee doesn't have background or criteria for one program, they can choose another institution."

Nov. 20 Deadline

Employees must submit their applications to DCAS by Nov. 20 to be eligible for this round of awards. The department asks that applications also be submitted to the school or schools sought by the employee. The deadlines for those programs vary, and are listed on the MGSP Web site, www.nyc.gov/html/dcas/html/resources/mgsp.shtml .

Ms. Rafra said that the benefits to city employees go beyond the professional.

"Gains are more than just applying for other positions - it's about meeting people from other backgrounds," she said. "One woman I spoke to compared it to a global experience. It's not just professional, but also personal growth."

She added that the intellectual growth provided the city a rich influx of views.

"Given that this is a $50 billion operation, there have been people who have offered the city not only different ideas, but effective ones. On both sides, there have been benefits."