Verne LaMarr Lyons Memorial Scholarship: Empowering Future Social Workers
The Verne LaMarr Lyons Memorial Scholarship stands as a beacon of support for Master's Degree candidates in social work, fostering their dedication to health/mental health practice and their commitment to African American communities. This prestigious scholarship honors the memory of Verne LaMarr Lyons, a dedicated social worker and NASW national staff member whose life was tragically cut short in 1989 while awaiting a heart transplant. The NASW Foundation proudly administers this program, ensuring that Lyons' legacy of service continues through the next generation of social work professionals.
Eligibility Requirements
To be considered for the Verne LaMarr Lyons Memorial Scholarship, applicants must meet specific criteria:
- NASW Membership: Applicants must be a current member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW).
- MSW Program Enrollment: Applicants must have applied to or been accepted into an accredited Master of Social Work (MSW) program. The scholarship award is contingent upon the candidate's full admission into the program.
- Academic Potential: Students must demonstrate the potential for successfully completing an MSW program.
- GPA Requirement: A Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 or above is required.
Application Components
A complete application package for the Verne LaMarr Lyons Memorial Scholarship includes the following:
- Biographical Essay: A two-page, double-spaced essay is a crucial component of the application. This essay serves as a platform for applicants to articulate their career goals, interests, and experiences related to health/mental health practice within African American communities. Furthermore, the essay should include a statement of merit and need for the award, highlighting the applicant's qualifications and financial circumstances.
- Official Transcript: Applicants must submit an official copy of their transcript from the most recent academic work, whether undergraduate or graduate. The transcript may be opened for photocopying purposes.
- Completed Application: Only applications that are fully completed will be considered for the scholarship.
The Scholarship's Impact
The Verne LaMarr Lyons Memorial Scholarship has a profound impact on its recipients, empowering them to pursue their educational and career goals in social work. Kianna Goodwin, a 2018-2019 Verne LaMarr Lyons Scholar, attested to the scholarship's significance, stating, "Receiving this award is an honor and it has a significant impact on my work in mental health supporting black women."
Previous recipients of the Verne LaMarr Lyons Memorial Scholarship have gone on to make significant contributions in various settings, including hospitals, medical clinics, and social services agencies. These dedicated professionals provide treatment and specialized services to African American clients, while others have assumed leadership roles within the field.
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Exemplary Scholars
The Verne LaMarr Lyons Memorial Scholarship has supported numerous exceptional individuals who are committed to serving African American communities.
Fatoumata Magassa: A first-year MSW student with aspirations of becoming a forensic social worker, Fatoumata is a Harlem, NYC native. She is passionate about social change and empowering the lives of justice-involved and low-income families. With a BA in Public Policy Studies from the University of Chicago, specializing in criminal justice and critical race theory, Fatoumata is actively involved in various organizations, including the Action Lab for Social Justice at Columbia, Afrikana, and CASA-NYC.
Kim McDaniel: As a first-generation college graduate, Kim is embarking on a career change into social work after years of experience in administrative and program roles within education and child and youth-serving government agencies. Her experiences growing up in Oakland, CA, fuel her commitment to providing services for youth of color, particularly African American girls and LGBTQIA+ youth residing in urban areas. Kim plans to use her MSW degree to uplift and empower others, focusing on addressing the social determinants of health and well-being in her community.
Kendall L.: At the young age of 25, Kendall became the youngest Dean of Students in Chicago Public Schools, serving at Kenwood Academy High School. He also served as executive director, hosting a male summer enrichment program for boys of color. Currently pursuing an MSW in Administration at The University of Chicago’s Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice, Kendall is dedicated to mentoring students and raising funds to support their educational endeavors.
Christiana Tyler: An online MSW student in the Pathways Distance Program at California State University, San Bernardino, Christiana received her BA in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice from California State University, East Bay. With a personal mission to advocate for historically disadvantaged communities and promote social justice through a career in social work centered around criminal justice reform and community-based support services, Christiana is committed to serving individuals with lived experience in the criminal justice system, those struggling with substance use disorder, and senior citizens, particularly within Black and Indigenous communities.
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Additional Scholarship Opportunities for Social Work Students
In addition to the Verne LaMarr Lyons Memorial Scholarship, numerous other scholarships and bursaries are available to support MSW students across the USA:
- Allied Healthcare Scholarship Program (AHSP): Offers up to $4,000 per academic year in exchange for a service obligation in a medically underserved area of California.
- American Association of University of Women Scholarship: Provides funding for women's graduate education.
- American Indian Graduate Center (AIGC): Offers graduate fellowships for American Indian and Alaskan Native students.
- Consuelo W. Gosnell Memorial Scholarship: Awarded to master's degree candidates in social work who have demonstrated a commitment to working with American Indian/Alaska Native and Hispanic/Latino populations.
- Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund: Provides financial support for students active in progressive movements for liberation and social justice.
- Carl A. Scott Book Scholarship: Awards book scholarships to BSW and MSW students who have demonstrated a commitment to promoting equity and justice in their social work careers.
- Lawanna Renee Barron Scholarship Endowment Fund: Supports students with an interest in working in rural settings and/or health and mental health in African American communities.
- CSWE Minority Fellowship Program: Supports the mission of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration by increasing the number of individuals trained to work with underrepresented racial/ethnic minority persons with or at risk for mental health and/or substance abuse disorders.
- Robert F. Lawson Fund for Careers that Care: Supports high school and undergraduate students pursuing careers in healthcare, social work, government, education, or related fields.
- 2K Annual Drug Rehab USA - Mental Health Scholarship: Supports aspiring mental health professionals dedicated to making a positive impact on individuals and communities.
- State NASW Chapter Scholarships: Many NASW Chapters offer their own scholarship programs for MSW students.
Crafting a Compelling Scholarship Essay
The scholarship essay is a critical component of the application process, providing an opportunity for applicants to showcase their qualifications, experiences, and aspirations. In general, many scholarship essays ask you to talk about your career aspirations, goals, and your commitment to your community and social justice. As an MSW student these themes might sound familiar. If you are applying to your MSW be sure to keep copies of your personal statement so that you can use it for inspiration later. If you don’t have a personal statement you can use our personal statement template or watch our webinar on how to write a compelling personal statement.
Loan Forgiveness Programs
In addition to scholarships, loan forgiveness programs can provide financial relief to social workers:
- Department of Health and Human Services: Offers loan repayment to social workers for a two-year commitment in a shortage area.
- Loan Forgiveness for Public Service Jobs: Loan forgiveness would be offered to those who hold public service jobs (including social workers in a public child or family service agency).
- California Department of Healthcare Access and Information: Offers loan forgiveness programs for people who are providing mental health services.
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