Social Work Scholarships Guide

In 2020, there were nearly 716,000 social worker jobs in the United States, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The rate of social worker employment is projected to increase by 12% through 2030, which is faster than average. The median rate of pay is more than $50,000.

The job outlook for social workers is promising, but career advancement isn’t the goal that drives most social workers. Individuals train to become social workers because they want to help others. If you’re interested in empowering the vulnerable and oppressed, promoting social justice, and improving the well-being of all people, social work may be your calling.

You’ll need a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. While the requirements vary, you’ll need to be licensed for any position in social work.

Explore the following scholarships to learn more about options for supporting your education and training requirements.

Social Work Scholarships

A social worker typically deals with a range of everyday problems. They act as advocates and crisis managers. They work to connect with the individuals they serve. Social workers typically fall into one of four types.

  • Child, family, and school social workers
  • Healthcare and medical
  • Mental health and substance abuse
  • Other social workers

You’ll need a bachelor’s degree in social work to start on your path toward becoming a social worker. In your program, you’ll typically study intercultural issues, psychology, sociology, and other topics. Here are some funding options as you pursue your bachelor’s degree in social work.

Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work Scholarships

As a student, the cost of pursuing a bachelor’s degree in social work can vary from $48,000 – $53,000 in total tuition, according to the US News & World Report. Here are a few options for social work scholarships as you pursue your bachelor’s degree.

Bethesda Lutheran Communities Student Scholastic and Service Scholarship ($3,000): This scholarship awards funding to undergraduate students working toward a degree that helps individuals with developmental disabilities. To apply, you must have a 3.0 GPA and be an active member of the Lutheran congregation.

Dr. Alma S. Adams Scholarship for Outreach and Health Communications ($5,000): The scholarship awards undergraduate students enrolled in nursing programs, social work, or related fields. To apply, you must be planning to pursue a career that involves working with senior citizens.

Freemont Foundation Scholarship Program: This scholarship program awards funding to undergraduates who plan to attend a historically black university or college in pursuit of a degree in a “helping” profession. To apply, you should demonstrate leadership and volunteerism.

Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago Scholarship Funds ($8,000): This needs-based scholarship awards funding to undergraduate students of Jewish descent. To apply, you must be a full-time student with the intention of working in a “helping” profession.

National Association of Black Social Workers Scholarships ($20,000 – $25,000): This scholarship is for NABSW members. To apply, you should be a full-time undergraduate student in a social work program.

NFRW National Pathfinder Scholarship ($2,500): The scholarship awards funding to women who wish to study pharmacology, psychology, social work, and sociology, with a focus on preventing substance abuse. 

Senior Care Scholarship ($3,000): This scholarship awards a student studying gerontology in programs like nursing or social work. To apply, you should plan to work with senior citizens. 

SIP Scholarship Program: The scholarship awards internship opportunities, with full-tuition waivers, to undergraduates in social work. 

Master’s Degree in Social Work Scholarships

As a student, the cost of pursuing a master’s degree in social work can vary from $11,000 – $39,000 in total tuition, according to the US News & World Report. Here are a few options for social work scholarships as you move forward with your master’s degree.

American Indian Education Program: This scholarship awards funding to MSW students who are members of federally recognized tribes. To apply, you should have a 2.0 GPA (minimum). 

Consuelo W. Gosnell Memorial Scholarship ($2,000 – $4,000): The scholarship goes to 10 students pursuing an MSW every year. To apply, you should be focused on working with Hispanic/Latino and American Indian/Alaska Native populations.

Freemont Foundation Scholarship Program: This scholarship program awards funding to graduates who plan to attend a historically black college or university. To apply, you should demonstrate volunteerism and leadership.

Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago Scholarship Funds ($8,000): This needs-based scholarship awards funding to graduate students of Jewish descent. To apply, you must be a full-time student intending to work in a “helping” profession.

Melanie Foundation Scholarship ($2,500): The scholarship awards funding to MSW students who plan to pursue a career in mental health. To apply, you should be involved in extracurricular activities as well as research and volunteering. 

Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans ($20,000 – $25,000): This scholarship awards partial funding to students pursuing an MSW. To apply, you should have a green card, be naturalized, or be a first-generation U.S. citizen. 

Senior Care Scholarship ($3,000): This scholarship awards graduate students studying in programs like nursing or social work. To apply, you should plan to pursue a career that involves working with senior citizens. 

The National Association of Black Social Workers Scholarships: This scholarship is for NABSW members. To apply, you should be a full-time graduate student in a social work program.

Verne LaMarr Lyons Memorial MSW Scholarship ($4,150 – $5,500): The scholarship awards students who are pursuing an MSW. To apply, you should be interested in health or mental health practice. 

Doctorate in Social Work Scholarships

Pursuing a doctorate degree in social work can cost anywhere from $38,000 and $90,000, according to the US News & World Report. Here are a few options for social work scholarships as you take your career to the next level with a doctoral degree.

CSWE Scholars Program: This scholarship funds research projects for doctoral students. To apply, you should have experience in various research methods. 

Doctoral Dissertation Award in the Psychology of Aging ($2,500): This scholarship supports doctoral students with research that focuses on adult development and the psychology of aging. To apply, you should include a letter from your dissertation adviser, a cover letter, and a dissertation abstract. 

Eileen Blackey Doctoral Fellowship ($4,000 – $6,500): This scholarship awards fellowship funding to NASW members, who are pursuing a career in welfare policy. To apply for the fellowship, you should submit a three-page proposal following the guidelines. 

Graduate Student Research Award ($500): The American Society on Aging (ASA) awards doctoral students with unpublished research papers on aging topics. To apply, you must have a faculty sponsor. 

Jane B. Aron Doctoral Fellowship ($17,900): The scholarship supports doctoral students committed to health-related social work. To apply, you should engage in research related to education, policy, or practice in social work. 

Leopold Schepp Foundation Scholarship ($9,000): This financial-needs scholarship awards funding to doctoral students in social work. To apply, you should have a 3.3 GPA (minimum) and be enrolled as a full-time student. 

Melanie Foundation Scholarship ($2,500): The scholarship awards funding to a doctoral student who plans to pursue a career in mental health. To apply, you should be involved in extracurricular activities as well as research and volunteering. 

Minority Fellowship Program: The scholarship funds doctoral students dedicated to improving health outcomes and reducing health disparities for ethnically and racially diverse populations. 

National Association of Black Social Workers Scholarships: This scholarship is for NABSW members. To apply, you should be a full-time doctoral student in a social work program.

Social Work HEALS Doctoral Fellowship ($17,900): The scholarship funds doctoral students in social work. To apply for this fellowship, you should be a member of the CSWE and NASW. You must attend a CSWE-accredited program with plans to pursue a career in social work. 

Social Work Scholarships for Women

Nearly 82% of social workers are women and 74% of full-time faculty in social work are women. The number of female students pursuing studies in social work continues to increase. Female social workers have unique opportunities to fight against human trafficking and domestic violence. With greater diversity, women also bridge gaps to achieve greater equity.  

Here’s a scholarship for women who are interested in pursuing a career in social work. 

American Association of University Women (AAUW): This AAUW funds grants and fellowships if you’re a woman pursuing graduate studies in social work. 

Social Work Scholarships for People of Color

Diversity has improved over the years, but there’s still a long way to go. Social work often touches upon issues that involve emotional, social, and economic well-being across boundaries of racially and culturally diverse groups. More than 60% of social workers are white, according to the National Association of Social Workers

Here are just a few of the scholarships that offer funding for people of color. 

American Indian Education Program: This scholarship awards funding to MSW students who are members of federally recognized tribes. To apply, you should have a 2.0 GPA (minimum). 

Minority Fellowship Program: The scholarship funds doctoral students who are dedicated to improving health outcomes and reducing health disparities for ethnically and racially diverse populations. 

National Association of Black Social Workers Scholarships: This scholarship is for NABSW members. To apply, you should be a full-time student in a social work program.

Military Financial Assistance

Government grants, scholarships, and financial assistance allow active-duty military and veterans to get support for their educational pursuits related to social work. Here are just a few types of funding currently available to students. 

Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB): The MGIB offers two levels of funding, one for active duty and another for the National Guard and Reserves. The benefits go toward training and education costs. 

Survivors and Dependents Assistance (DEA): These benefits support your education for up to 45 months if you are a child or spouse of an eligible veteran. 

Tuition Assistance Top-Up: This program covers your tuition costs for college courses if you are in the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, or Navy. To apply, you need to meet the eligibility restrictions. 

Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP): The program matches your spending contribution on education benefits. This program allows you to pursue an apprenticeship, certificate, correspondence course, degree, on-the-job training, and flight training class. 

Yellow Ribbon Program: This program is part of the Post-9/11 Veterans Education Assistance Act of 2008 as a way to fund the tuition expenses for veterans and service members. To apply, you need to meet the eligibility restrictions. 

Fraternity and Sorority Scholarships

Fraternity and sorority organizations are sometimes the source or inspiration for future social work for students. Here are a few examples of social work scholarships available to members of fraternities or sororities. 

Juliette Derricotte Scholarship ($1,500 — $2,000): The scholarship awards members of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. To apply, you must be enrolled in graduate work that’s related to social work. 

Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation Scholarship: This scholarship is for Kappa Kappa Gamma members. To apply, you must have a 3.2 GPA (minimum) as a graduate student, with a professional or academic reference. 

Omega Psi Phi – George E. Meares Memorial Scholarship: The scholarship awards full-time graduate students in criminal justice, social sciences, and social work. A chapter of Omega Psi Phi must make the nominations, but the candidates do not necessarily have to be members. 

Pi Gamma Mu Scholarship ($1,000 – $2,000): This scholarship is for Pi Gamma Mu members. To apply, you must study anthropology, criminal justice, economics, history, human/cultural geography, international relations, law, political science, public administration, social work, or sociology. You should be in your first or second year of graduate studies. 

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