Opportunities for Social Work Scholarships

The following is a list of some masters in social work scholarships that may be available to qualified students enrolled in social work MSW graduate programs.

#1 The Dr. Alma S. Adams Scholarship for Outreach and Health Communications

Description: This scholarship is sponsored by the American Legacy Foundation and designed to reduce tobacco use in “priority populations”, or populations that are disproportionately targeted by the tobacco industry. Such populations and their communities typically have limited resources to combat tobacco use and therefore experience more of the negative effects of tobacco use. These communities primarily include minority people with low incomes.

Award Amount: $5000

Number of Awards: Two scholarships awarded annually to graduate and undergraduate students

Eligibility: This award is available to full time students pursuing a degree in public health, communications, social work, education, and other related liberal arts fields. Eligible applicants must have a 3.0 GPA at the time of application and provide evidence of community service in an economically or socially disadvantage community and/or setting.

Click here to visit the legacyforhealth.org website to find out more about the Dr. Alma S. Adams Scholarship for Outreach and Health Communications

#2 The Consuelo W. Gosnell Memorial MSW Scholarships

Description: This scholarship is administered by the National Association of Social Workers foundation and is awarded annually to students earning their scholarships for masters in social work. Candidates must demonstrate an interest in working with American Indian, Alaska Native and Hispanic, and Latino populations. Preferred candidates will also demonstrate a commitment to working with nonprofit and grass-root agencies and groups in the United States. This scholarship is awarded in the name of Consuelo W. Gosnell, a native Mexican (from Ciudad Juarez) who was a diligent champion of civil and human rights who worked to improve conditions for American Indians and Latinos in the southwest.

Award Amount: Award amounts vary based on the project annual earnings of the fund. For the 3013-2014 academic year, up to 10 scholarships of $4,000 each will be awarded.

Number of Awards: The number of scholarships awarded depends upon available funds and the number of applicants.

Eligibility: This award is available to members of the National Association of Social Workers who are enrolled in an accredited master’s-levelsocial work program and have a minimum GPA of 3.0.

Click here to visit the NASWfoundation.org website to find out more about The Consuelo W. Gosnell Memorial MSW Scholarships.

Social Change Advocate? Earn an Online MSW

• GRE scores are not required to apply.
• Complete the online MSW program in as few as 18 months if you have a BSW; if you do not have a BSW, the program may be completed in as few as 27 months.
• There are two online MSW program tracks: traditional and advanced standing.

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#3 The Vern LaMarr Lyons Memorial MSW Scholarships

Description: This scholarship is administered by the National Association of Social Workers foundation and is awarded annually to students earning their scholarships for masters in social work. Candidates must demonstrate an interest in working in, or have experience working in, a health or mental health clinic that serves African American communities. This scholarship is awarded in the name of Vern LaMarr Lyons, a social worker and NASW member who died while waiting for a heart transplant. Lyons devoted her life to addressing health concerns that had detrimental effects of African American communities.

Award Amount: Award amounts vary based on the project annual earnings of the fund.

Number of Awards: The number of scholarships awarded depends upon available funds and the number of applicants.

Eligibility: This award is available to members of the National Association of Social Workers who are enrolled in an accredited master’s-level social work program and have a minimum GPA of 3.0.

Click here to visit the NASWfoundation.org website to find out more about The Vern LaMarr Lyons Memorial MSW Scholarships.

#4 The Jewish Community Centers (JCC) of North America Graduate Scholarship

Description: This scholarship is a merit-based scholarship available to students pursuing degrees in fields such as social work, health services, and childhood education.

Award Amount: Up to $10,000 per year for up to two years

Eligibility: This award is available to graduate scholars. All scholars must complete a field placement at JCC during their studies. They must also agree to work in the JCC Movement for two years after graduation. The JCC Association will work with recipients of the award to secure positions after graduation.

Click here to visit the jccworks.com website to find out more about The Jewish Community Centers (JCC) of North America Graduate Scholarship

#5 The Judith Holm Memorial Student Award

Description: This scholarship is sponsored by the American Clinical Social Worker Association (ACSWA) and is available to students in the final year of their scholarships for masters in social work. To compete for the scholarship, students must write a paper demonstrating their readiness to enter professional practice. This scholarship is awarded in the name of Judith Holm, the first President of the America Board of Examiners in Clinical Social Work.

Award Amount: $2,000

Eligibility: This award is available to students who are in their final years of accredited social-work master’s programs. The awards are given based on a national competition judged by faculty members of social-work graduate programs, practitioners, and directors and staff of the ACSWA.

Click here to find out more about The Judith Holm Memorial Student Award

National University

• Earn your degree from a university with a “Whole Human Education” approach that focuses on assisting you in all aspects of your education: academic, emotional, career, financial, and family.
• Choose from 75+ programs: Whether you’re starting fresh or seeking advancement, our career-focused programs are designed to help you make an impact in your chosen field.
• National University is regionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

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#6 The Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund

Description: This scholarship is for students working for social change and is available to students who actively participate in the struggle for civil rights, economic justice, international solidarity, and/or other progressive issues.

Award Amount: Up to $10,000 depending upon the availability of funds and students’ needs

Eligibility: This award is available to students who are in need of financial aid and perform well at the college level. Eligible scholars must also be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate-level program at an accredited school, and they must be receiving credit during the time period covered by the grant.

Click here to visit the davisputter.org website to find out more about The Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund

#7 The National Association of Black Social Work Scholarships

Description: This scholarship is administered by the National Association of Social Workers foundation and is awarded annually to students earning their scholarships for masters in social work. Candidates must demonstrate an interest in working in, or have experience working in, a health or mental health clinic that serves African American communities.

Award Amount: Award amounts vary depending on the scholarship:

• The Cenie “Jomo” Williams Tuition Scholarship ($2000)
• The Selena Brown Book Scholarship ($250)
• The Guynn Family Book Scholarship ($250) (requires min 3.0 GPA)
• The Stella M. Browne Book Scholarship ($250) (requires min 3.0 GPA)
• The Dr. Theresa L. Roberts Book Scholarship ($250)
• The Dr. Joyce Beckett Tuition Scholarship ($1000)
• The Office of Student Affairs Community Leadership Tuition Scholarship ($1000) (requires min 3.0 GPA; & needs to be at least half-time status)

Eligibility: These awards are available to students who are paid members of the NABSW during the year of application and have a minimum 2.5 GPA. They must also be African American and demonstrate a history of community service and interest in working in the African American community. Eligible scholars must be enrolled in full-time study at an accredited social work program in the United States during the semester that the award will be granted. *Note that additional eligibility requirements are listed next to each scholarship.

Click here to visit the uakron.edu website to find out more about scholarships offered through the National Association of Black Social Workers

Pursue An Online Master of Social Work from USC

• The MSW@USC is an online Master of Social Work from top-ranked USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work.
• USC’s online MSW can be completed in as few as 12 months with a BSW.
• USC offers virtual and in-person field education, and students focus on adults, youth or social change.

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#8 The Leopold Schepp Foundation Scholarship

Description: This scholarship is awarded based on applicants’ character, ability, and financial need. To apply for this scholarship, students will need to provide references from academic deans, professors, or advisors; employers; and/or personal associates. Students must also maintain a certain GPA and provide the foundation with academic transcripts.

Award Amount: Award amounts vary based on recipients’ needs. The Foundation will award eligible students up to $8,500 annually.

Eligibility: This award is available to students who have a minimum 3.2 GPA on a 4.0 scale and are enrolled in a full-time graduate program approved of by the Foundation. Students must also be under 40 years of age at the time of application for the scholarship.

Click here to visit the scheppfoundation.org website to find out more about The Leopold Schepp Foundation Scholarship

An Additional Note on Scholarships:

Students interested in pursuing a career in social work should contact their State Departments of Higher Education for information on other scholarships, grants, and loan-forgiveness programs that they may potentially qualify for.

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About the Author: Annie Rose Stathes holds a B.A. in International Affairs and an M.A. in Political Science, from the University of Colorado, Denver. She is currently an instructor of writing at Fort Lewis College in Durango Colorado.