The Corella and Bertram F. Bonner Foundation joins Fels as an admission partner organization

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Bonner Scholars, Leaders, alumni, and staff are now eligible for Fels admission benefits

The Fels Institute of Government welcomes the Corella and Bertram F. Bonner Foundation, which joins our illustrious admission partner organizations. The Foundation’s Bonner Program is the largest privately-funded, service-based college scholarship program in the country, offering need-based financial assistance to undergraduate students who demonstrate leadership and service. Through this program, Bonner Scholars and Bonner Leaders gain access to education and the opportunity to meaningfully serve their communities. As Fels Faculty Directors Matt Levendusky and John Lapinski note, “Bonner Foundation’s approach to public service and providing opportunities to diverse students is well-aligned with our core vision and values at Fels.”

Beginning in the fall 2020 term, Bonner Scholars and Leaders, as well as Bonner staff, are eligible for admission benefits at Fels Institute of Government. Bonner Scholars, Leaders, alumni, and staff who apply for the Master of Public Administration (MPA) at Fels will have their application fee waived, and are eligible for a $10,000 scholarship. “This partnership will undoubtedly help Bonner graduates obtain an excellent and affordable graduate education to help them ‘be the change they seek,’” says Tyler Seville, a 2011 Burlington County College Bonner Leader and 2018 Fels MPA graduate.

Application fees for the Fels Full-time MPA or Executive MPA programs will be waived for current members and alumni of Fels admission partner organizations, and those students may be eligible to apply for a grant once admitted. Fels admission partner organizations include AmeriCorps, City Year, Eastern Leadership Academy, Jesuit Volunteer Corps, Peace Corps, Public Policy and International Affairs Program, Teach For All, and Teach for America.

For more information about the Bonner Foundation partnership with Fels, please visit the organization’s press release, “New Graduate School Partnership with UPenn's Fels Institute of Government.”

For more information about admission partner grants at Fels, please visit our Financial Aid page.

Admission Partner Alumni

Fels students are dedicated, driven, and passionate about public service. Explore the stories of Fels studies and alumni who honed their skills in leadership and service with our admission partners.

Alex Bird
MPA ’19
Teach for America

Ashanta Douglas
MPA ’18
Americorps and Teach for America

Matthew Forrest
MPA ’19
City Year

Kalie Wertz
MPA ’17
Americorps

Fels Institute of Government

The Fels Institute of Government
3814 Walnut St. 
Philadelphia, PA 19104

(215) 898-7326
felsinstitute@sas.upenn.edu