New Program Expands Scholarship Support for Veterans and Military-Connected Students

The McCourt School of Public Policy is honored to announce the creation of the Craig Newmark Veterans Scholarship Fund , which will increase access to a McCourt School education for active-duty servicemen and women, veterans, and military-connected students, and deepen the impact they have in public policy. 

The Craig Newmark Veterans Scholarship Fund will support scholarships, experiential learning opportunities, and community programs in support of military-connected students at the McCourt School, specifically:

• funding up to five Craig Newmark Scholars, eliminating their out of pocket expenses for the 2021-2022 academic year;
• supporting military-connected students who pursue unpaid internships, by providing funding to support their living expenses, including travel, housing, and food; and,
• expanding the work of the Civil-Military Association, a McCourt School student organization, by providing dedicated resources for events, outreach, and other needs related to the military-connected community. 

“Our veterans and their families are no strangers to service,” said Craig Newmark, founder of craigslist and Craig Newmark Philanthropies. “I am proud to support the Craig Newmark Veterans Scholarship Fund at Georgetown’s McCourt School, which will advance opportunities for military-connected students who want to extend their service in the field of public policy, and deepen the impact they can have for the common good.” 

The Craig Newmark Veterans Scholarship Fund was established through a 5,000 gift to the McCourt School from Craig Newmark, founder of craigslist and Craig Newmark Philanthropies, which seeks to strengthen our democracy and contribute to the common good across a number of areas, including in support of veterans and military families. 

Building a More Inclusive McCourt

The McCourt School is currently home to several dozen military-connected students, including approximately 20 active-duty U.S. Army Officers participating in the Joint Chiefs of Staff Internship program. 

“Military-connected students bring a rich diversity of lived experience to our classrooms. These students are a vital part of the McCourt community, and this gift supports another important step in our efforts to become a more inclusive school,” said Maria Cancian, dean of the McCourt School of Public Policy. “We are deeply grateful to Craig and Craig Newmark Philanthropies for their support of our military-connected students, and veteran community engagement programs at the McCourt School.” 

McCourt School aspires to become the most inclusive public policy school in the world, by educating a new generation of leaders who better reflect the diversity of our local, national. and global communities. 

By eliminating financial barriers to a McCourt School education, including for active duty servicemen and women, veterans, and military connected students, the school hopes to empower them to immediately pursue their calling as civil servants and public service leaders and thereby directly impact the future of public policy.

Driving Civic Engagement

Craig Newmark Philanthropies was created by craigslist founder Craig Newmark to support, connect, and drive powerful civic engagement. The organization works to advance people and grassroots organizations that are getting stuff done in areas that include trustworthy journalism, voter protection, gender diversity in technology, and veterans and military families.

The organization contributes to a myriad programs in support of veterans and military families, including the Master of Arts in Public Leadership program at the University of San Francisco, a program specifically designed for veterans and their families who wish to pursue a career in public service or elective office.