Social Work Scholarships

Most social workers earn a bachelor of social work (BSW) degree before pursuing their career. Others may choose to earn a master of social work (MSW) first. Most learners complete a bachelor's degree in four years and a master's in two years with full-time enrollment.

With one or both of these degrees, professionals stand to bring in a good salary. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports social workers earning a median $58,380 per year. Social and community service managers earn a median $77,030 annually.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, annual bachelor's tuition and fees average $9,800 at public institutions and $40,700 at private ones. These costs do not include room and board, books, and other fees. Some social workers earn a master's degree, with an average cost of $74,840, according to Education Data Initiative statistics.

Since costs add up quickly, scholarships and financial aid can make the difference in students' ability to afford school. Thankfully, many organizations offer social work scholarships.

Scholarships and Grants for Social Work Majors

Students can apply for various social work scholarships, many available to students of all levels. Some scholarships use more specific requirements than others. Below, find just a sample of the available scholarships for social work students. Although a scholarship may not currently accept applications, students should check back during the next application cycle.

Fully Funded Master's in Social Work Programs

The list below highlights a few universities offering full funding for MSW degree-seekers. Fully funded master's programs provide students with full tuition remission and a stipend throughout the entire program. Universities provide full funding with the expectation that recipients will teach or complete research during their program. Some programs also require learners to hold a position in a public setting after graduation.

• Arizona State University – MSW Child Welfare Education Program

  The MSW program specializes in public child welfare and places students in the field for a practicum experience. Students who receive full funding must work for the Arizona Department of Child Services for 36 months after graduation. The university administers the program in person at the Phoenix and Tucson campuses.

• California State University San Marcos – Title IV-E Child Welfare Stipend Program

  The program provides students with an annual $18,500 stipend for up to two years. Learners prepare to work in the public child welfare field. After graduation, recipients must work for a county child welfare agency for the same amount of time they received funding.

• Illinois State University – Graduate Assistantships

  The MSW program at Illinois State prepares learners to work in a school environment. Graduate assistants get monthly wages, a 100% tuition waiver for the appointment semester, and a tuition waiver for 12 credits the summer after the appointment. In return, graduate assistants teach undergraduate classes or help professors with research.

• Saint Louis University – University-Funded Assistantships

  Graduate assistants in SLU's MSW program work with professors for 20 hours per week. They help with research, administrative work, and teaching. In return, the university waives assistants' tuition. Students must reapply each year. Learners can apply for part-time assistantships for partial tuition waivers.

• University of Georgia – Title IV-E Child Welfare Education Program

  The Title IV-E child welfare education program covers tuition and fees for MSW students and BSW seniors. The program prepares learners to work in public child welfare. Graduates must work in a Georgia Division of Family & Children Services office for 12 months for each year they received aid.

Social Work Scholarship Application Tips

To take full advantage of scholarships, students should keep track of the programs they want to apply to. A spreadsheet or document with each scholarship's deadline and requirements can help students stay organized and meet deadlines. Applicants should ask for recommendation letters from trusted mentors well in advance. See below for more tips on applying for social work scholarships.

Financial Aid Resources for Social Work Students

• Grants

  Students do not need to pay grants back. This form of financial aid comes from the federal government, state governments, and individual schools. Applicants with financial need usually receive grants, since committees often consider need over merit.

  Students should file the FAFSA to qualify for the Pell Grant, a federal grant for students with financial need. In 2020-2021, learners received up to $6,345 from Pell Grants. Some states issue grants, as well, such as Illinois' MAP grants and New York's TAP grants.

• Loans

  Borrowers will need to pay loans back. Colleges and universities, federal agencies, and banks loan college students money for school. Some learners qualify for certain loans based on their need, such as with subsidized loans. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest while students are in school, which helps limit the overall interest they pay.

• Work Study

  Work-study programs let students work at their school in exchange for wages paid for by the federal government. Only learners with financial need qualify for work-study programs. Those without financial need can still get an on-campus job, but the school will pay their wages, not the federal government. Students do not need to repay their work-study earnings.

• Employer-Sponsored Programs

  Some employers help workers pay for continued education. Some employers offer specific job-training programs. Others give their employees aid to pay for the tuition of a program related to their occupation.

  Typically, students do not need to pay their employers back for this type of aid. Only employees of companies that offer this type of aid can receive it.

Social Worker Loan Forgiveness and Repayment

Besides funding a degree with social work scholarships and grants, learners can find student loan debt relief programs. These programs pay down a graduate's student debt in exchange for employment, usually in underserved areas or public sectors. The list below describes a few of the programs available to social work graduates.

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

  The PSLF Program pays the remainder of a student's Direct Loans after they've made 120 qualified monthly payments while working full-time for a qualified employer. Qualified employers include nonprofit organizations or U.S. federal, state, local, or tribal government agencies. Government agencies employ many social workers, especially at the local or school level. This means that many social workers may qualify for the PSLF Program.

• Faculty Loan Repayment Program

  The FLRP will repay up to $40,000 of student debt for professors at health profession schools. Faculty must show that they come from a disadvantaged background and that they hold an eligible health professions certificate or degree. Faculty members in clinical social work and professional counseling may qualify.

• National Health Service Corps

  Licensed clinical social workers receive loan repayment assistance through the NHSC Loan Repayment Program. In exchange, practitioners must serve two years at an NHSC-approved site in a health professional shortage area. These areas, populations, or facilities experience shortages of healthcare services.

Frequently Asked Questions About Social Work Scholarships