MSW Grants and Scholarships for Social Work Students
A social work degree can pave the way for a fulfilling career supporting underserved communities, facilitating access to social services, and providing crucial mental health support. While social work careers are vital and in strong demand, they often don't offer high salaries, making scholarships and grants particularly valuable for social work students. Scholarships mean lower student loan debt and more opportunities after graduation. Social work students can qualify for many scholarships.
The Importance of Financial Aid for Social Work Students
Pursuing a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree is a worthy investment, but financing it can be challenging, whether you choose to study online or on campus. Social work careers are in strong demand, they rarely offer high salaries. That makes scholarships even more valuable to social work students. Scholarships mean lower student loan debt and more opportunities after graduation. Knowing the resources that are available will help you conquer the challenge posed by financing your education. Fortunately, numerous grants and scholarships are available to help alleviate the financial burden.
Undergraduate Social Work Scholarships
Several scholarships cater to undergraduate students pursuing a bachelor's degree in social work (BSW). Here's a look at some of them:
Alice M. Yarnold and Samuel Yarnold Scholarship Trust: This trust assists New Hampshire residents pursuing degrees in nursing, medicine, or social work. Applicants must be New Hampshire residents, already in the process of post-secondary education, who can demonstrate both financial need and academic excellence. Submit applications to Alice M. Applicants must have completed at least one year of college and demonstrate financial need, with a commitment to practicing in New Hampshire after graduation.
Davis-Putter Scholarship: This scholarship supports students actively involved in progressive economic and social justice movements. Candidates must attend a postsecondary or technical school and submit a personal essay, letters of support, and evidence of financial need. The Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund provides grants to students actively working for peace and justice and living in the United States. These need-based scholarships are awarded to those able to do academic work at the university level and who are part of the progressive movement on their campus and in the community.
Read also: Comprehensive Doctoral Funding
Freemont Foundation Scholarship Program: This program is for students attending or planning to attend a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) and pursuing a career in the helping professions. Candidates must demonstrate a record of leadership and volunteerism in the community and participation in extracurricular school activities.
Indian Health Service Preparatory Scholarship: This scholarship provides tuition and expenses to American Indian and Alaska Native undergraduate students enrolled in courses that lead to healthcare degrees. Applicants must be members or descendants of federally recognized, state-recognized, or terminated tribes. The Health Professions Scholarship Program is for American Indian and Alaska Native students who are members of their Tribe (federally recognized only), enrolled in a Master of Social Work degree program.
The Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago Scholarship: This scholarship supports junior or senior undergraduate students of Jewish descent who demonstrate financial need. Recipients must be full-time students who intend to enter careers in the helping professions.
Leopold Schepp Foundation Scholarship: This scholarship is intended for students majoring in social work or related fields. These scholarships support students who demonstrate superior character, academic excellence, compassion, and a commitment to volunteerism. Candidates must submit letters of recommendation, hold a minimum 3.3 GPA, and demonstrate financial need.
Lawanna Renee Barron Scholarship Endowment Fund: This scholarship supports BSW and MSW students pursuing their degrees in mostly rural areas. NASW members in good standing can apply by submitting application form, biographical essay, official transcripts, and two letters of recommendation.
Read also: Unlock Funding for College
National Association of Black Social Workers Scholarships: Candidates must be members of the NABSW and enrolled full time in an undergraduate or graduate social work program. The application requires a personal statement describing professional aspirations and previous social work experience. NABSW offers a number of scholarships to African American social work students, such as the Dr. Joyce Beckett Graduate Tuition Scholarship, the Selena Danette Brown Book Scholarship, and the Cenie Jomo Williams Tuition Scholarship. NABSW scholarships are for active, paid members enrolled for full-time study at an accredited United States social work program.
Patty Gibbs-Wahlberg Scholarship: Sponsored by the Phi Alpha Honor Society for Social Work, this scholarship benefits chapter members enrolled in accredited social work programs. Applicants must demonstrate a consistent record of scholarship, leadership, and service. The Patty-Gibbs Wahlberg Scholarship is presented by the Phi Alpha Honor Society for Social Work and is awarded for student scholarship, service and leadership.
Presbyterian Scholarship for Undergraduates: This need-based award for members of the Presbyterian Church assists students who have completed their first year of college with a minimum 2.5 GPA. Applicants may major in several fields, including healthcare services and social work.
Pride Foundation Scholarship: The Pride Foundation offers multiple scholarships for LGBTQ+ and allied students studying social work and related fields. Candidates must be residents of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Washington, or Oregon, but may study elsewhere.
American Indian College Fund Scholarships: Members of federally recognized tribes, including American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian applicants, can apply for these scholarships. Applicants must attend an accredited, nonprofit college or university. Graduate fellowships are offered for American Indian and Alaskan Native students. AIGC awards are based on unmet need.
Read also: Eligibility for Master's Funding
Lawanna Renee Barron Scholarship: This scholarship supports bachelor and master of social work students with interest or experience working in rural settings or in the health and mental health of African American communities. Applicants must be members of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW).
Carl A. Scott Book Scholarship: The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) awards two book scholarships, one to a bachelor of social work student and one to a master of social work student, who are committed to promoting equity, racial, economic, and environmental justice. Applicants must attend a CSWE-accredited program and attend full time. Two book scholarships are awarded each academic year to students who demonstrate a commitment to work for social justice and equity in social work. Applicants must be in their last year of study in a bachelor’s or master’s degree program in social work accredited by CSWE. Applicants must have a GPA of at least a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, be a full-time student, demonstrate a commitment to equity and social justice and be American citizens, non-citizen nationals or have permanent residence status.
Graduate Social Work Scholarships and Fellowships
Many scholarships and fellowships are specifically designed for MSW students. These awards often consider factors such as academic merit, financial need, and commitment to specific areas of social work practice.
Consuelo W. Gosnell Memorial Scholarship: Master of social work students who are members of the National Association of Social Workers can apply. Candidates must be committed to working with or have a special affinity with American Indian/Alaska Native and Hispanic/Latino populations. The scholarship also supports candidates who demonstrate a commitment to public or voluntary nonprofit agencies or local grassroots groups. Up to 10 scholarships of up to $4,000 each are awarded to master’s degree candidates in social work who have demonstrated an affinity with or commitment to working with, Hispanic/Latino and American Indian/Alaska Native populations.
Neysa Fanwick Memorial Scholarship Endowment: This scholarship supports MSW students dedicated to addressing injustices within criminal justice, foster care, healthcare, or other systems. Candidates must be NASW members in good standing. Application requirements include a biographical essay, statement of merit and financial need, official transcripts, and two letters of recommendation. Master of social work students who are NASW members qualify for this award. The scholarship supports students dedicated to addressing injustices in criminal justice, foster care, healthcare, and education. While the scholarship does not require a minimum GPA, applicants should demonstrate strong graduation potential.
Council on Social Work Education Minority Fellowship Program - Master’s: Master of social work students in their final year may apply for this program if they demonstrate a commitment to reducing health disparities and improving healthcare outcomes of racially and ethnically diverse populations. The scholarship provides funding primarily but not exclusively for racial or ethnic minorities.
Social Work Doctoral Student Policy Fellowship: Social work doctoral students who have finished at least one year of their program can apply. The fellowship funds experiential learning through virtual placements at a congressional office or government relation firm to gain policy experience.
Eileen Blackey Doctoral Fellowship: Available for NASW members, applicants for this award must be doctoral students in social work specializing in welfare policy and practice. Candidates must submit a proposal summary, a statement of relevance, a project design, their expected dissertation completion date, and an itemized budget.
Jane B. Aron Doctoral Fellowship: The National Association of Social Workers, in partnership with the Council on Social Work Education, offers this fellowship to doctoral candidates. Recipients must engage in research on healthcare social work education, policy, or practice. Social Work HEALS is a collaboration between the NASW and CSWE to provide a grant to one deserving doctoral fellow. The candidate’s dissertation must focus on health policy and practice, and diversity components are encouraged.
The Melanie Foundation Scholarship: These master’s and doctoral scholarships provide assistance to students who plan to enter the mental health social work field. Candidates must be enrolled in an accredited master’s program and provide evidence of volunteer, research, or work experience related to mental health.
Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans: This fellowship recognizes the work of immigrants, children of immigrants, and refugees pursuing graduate studies in several fields, including social work. Candidates must demonstrate a commitment to making significant contributions to American society, culture, or their academic field.
Ima Hogg Scholarship: Master of social work students enrolled in a CSWE-accredited graduate program in Texas qualify for the scholarship. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and a commitment to providing mental health services to underserved or underrepresented communities in Texas. The Ima Hogg Foundation awards scholarships to graduate in accredited social work programs in Texas.
Verne LaMarr Lyons Memorial MSW Scholarship: This master of social work scholarship supports students committed to working with members of underrepresented communities and those demonstrating an interest in healthcare and mental health practice. Applicants must hold membership in the National Association of Social Workers.
University-Specific and Memorial Scholarships
Many universities and organizations offer scholarships specific to their programs or in memory of individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of social work. These scholarships often have unique eligibility criteria and application requirements.
- ABCD Therapy Scholarship in Social Work: This scholarship provides one or more annual scholarships to Master of Social Work (MSW) students with lived refugee experience: defined as individuals who have been displaced from their home or who are unwilling to return home due to fear, war, natural disaster, persecution, or for other harmful reasons outside of their control.
- Art Blinick Scholarship: Awarded to a deserving MSW student who demonstrates an alignment of their personal and academic goals with the scholarship’s mission of promoting social justice and equity.
- Dr. Jan Carter-Black Scholarship: Awarded to a deserving SW student who demonstrates high academic achievement, a commitment to the School and the campus community through involvement and leadership, and a commitment to diversity through research or practice.
- Ruppert Downing Scholarship: Awarded to a deserving MSW student.
- Miranda J. Dresing Scholarship: Awarded to a deserving MSW student who will be entering an unpaid internship in the field of mental health.
- Dr. James “Jim” Dudley Scholarship: Awarded to a deserving BSW or MSW student, with preference given to those interested in social work at the macro practice level to address and overcome such problems as poverty, discrimination, poor health, and hopelessness in the lives of others.
- Anonymous Scholarship: Awarded to a deserving MSW student with preference given to a member of an Indigenous tribe or a student of Black or Indigenous decent, and other People of Color (BIPOC).
- John K. Gibson and Nancy L. White-Gibson Scholarship: Awarded to a deserving BSW or MSW student who has demonstrated commitment to any of the following areas: social justice, restorative justice, civil rights, and/or experience working with marginalized persons.
- Mark P. Hale Scholarship: Awarded to a deserving MSW student who demonstrates outstanding scholarship and potential for making a significant contribution to the social work profession.
- Janice M. Hartman Scholarship: Awarded to a student who has experienced hardship during their MSW studies and persevered.
- Adah Hopkins Aime Scholarship: Awarded to a student who has experienced hardship during their MSW studies and persevered.
- Sue Keller Scholarship: Awarded to a student who has experienced hardship during their MSW studies and persevered.
- Michael C. Langendorf Scholarship: Awarded to a deserving MSW student in the school social work specialization in honor of the late alumnus Michael C.
- Becca Nimmer Marcus Scholarship: Awarded to a deserving BSW or MSW student with a strong interest in the field of mental health.
- Ron H. Moorman Fund: This fund was established in honor of Ronald H. Moorman’s lifetime dedication to children and families.
- Patchner-Ramanathan Scholarship: The fund is named after each professor’s parents.
- Dr. Marietta Steveson Scholarship: Awarded to a deserving MSW student who has a demonstrated interest in social work policy and can provide supporting evidence of leadership.
- Mur & Henry Taylor Scholarship: Awarded to a deserving MSW student who has a demonstrated interest in social work policy and can provide supporting evidence of leadership.
- Shirley Wattenberg Scholarship: Established in memory of Shirley Wattenberg, a medical social worker and researcher.
- Youngsoon Park Scholarship for Social Work: Awarded to BSW or MSW.
- Lorraine T. Gerontological Research Award: A scholarship for PhD students who have demonstrated a commitment to gerontological research in social work. Incoming PhD students are eligible for up to three years of support.
- Lola Moeller Zook & Leslie G. Zook Award: It is the donor’s desire this $2,000 award be given to students who show an interest in medical social work and doing their specialized practicum within the Department of Pediatrics.
- Mildred J. Craft Award: This research award is made to honor the memory of John Craft, former Professor of Research at the School of Social Work. PhD students are eligible to receive this award to carry out a research project on children or families.
- Child Welfare Fellows Program: This fellowship provides financial support and educational resources to MSW students who are committed to a post graduate career in public or tribal child welfare.
- John A. Wallace Fellowship: The John A. Wallace Fellowship honors the work of John A.
- Weisdorf Oncology Social Work Fellowship: In 2023-2024, the Weisdorf Oncology Social Work Fellowship will provide financial support for up to two (2) Master of Social Work students who are committed to pursuing a career that focuses on oncology social work practice. This one-time fellowship provides an $8,000 award and a $1,000 stipend for travel expenses to attend the Association of Oncology Social Work annual conference.
Additional Funding Resources
Beyond scholarships, social work students can explore other avenues for financial assistance.
Graduate Assistantships: The School of Social Work offers graduate teaching assistantships for the fall and spring semesters of 2024-25. Teaching assistants assist faculty with course instruction.
Loan Forgiveness Programs: Social workers may be eligible for loan forgiveness programs, such as the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program, which forgives the remaining balance on Federal Direct Loans after 120 qualifying payments while employed full-time by a qualifying public service employer. The Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program is a government initiative to encourage individuals to enter and continue to work full time in public service jobs. Borrowers may qualify for forgiveness of the remaining balance due on their Federal Direct Loans after they have made 120 payments on those loans under certain repayment plans while employed full time by certain public service employers. Social workers may also be eligible for loan repayment through the National Health Service Corps. Department of Health and Human Services and works to offer loan repayment to social workers for a two-year commitment in a shortage area, and who are licensed in the state they plan to serve.
Military Benefits: Veterans and active-duty military personnel may be eligible for education benefits through programs like the Post-9/11 GI Bill, Yellow Ribbon Program, Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB), Veterans Education Assistance Program (VEAP), and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA). The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides financial support for education to honorably discharged veterans or active duty personnel. The percentage of benefits received depends on the time spent on active duty. The Yellow Ribbon Program is a provision of the Post-9/11 Veterans Education Assistance Act of 2008. This program allows American institutions of higher education to voluntarily enter into an agreement with the Department of Veterans Affairs to fund tuition expenses of service members and veterans that exceed the highest public in-state undergraduate tuition rate. MGIB benefits are available for service members and veterans to help with education and training costs. VEAP is available if you elected to make contributions from your military pay to participate in this education benefit program. Your contributions are matched on a $2-for-$1 basis by the government. You may use these benefits for degree, certificate, correspondence, apprenticeships, on-the-job training and vocational flight training programs. DEA provides education benefits to eligible spouses and children of certain veterans. Tuition Assistance (TA) will pay for some or all of the tuition costs of college courses that you take while on active duty. TA is a benefit paid to eligible members of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard. Active-duty members may choose to use the MGIB “top-up” in addition to their service-provided TA. The use of “top-up” allows for payment up to 100 percent of tuition expenses. TA benefits are separate from your GI Bill benefits and do not count against them.
Other Scholarship Databases: Students can utilize online scholarship databases and search engines to identify additional funding opportunities.
Tips for Finding and Applying for Scholarships
Start Early: Begin researching and applying for scholarships well in advance of application deadlines.
Meet Eligibility Requirements: Carefully review the eligibility criteria for each scholarship to ensure you qualify.
Craft a Strong Application: Highlight your academic achievements, experiences, and commitment to social work in your application essays and personal statements.
Seek Recommendations: Request letters of recommendation from professors, supervisors, or mentors who can speak to your skills and potential.
Proofread Carefully: Ensure your application is free of grammatical errors and typos.
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