There are many scholarship opportunities available to social work students. Scholarships help alleviate the cost of higher education, and the funds do not have to be repaid. Students often have to meet GPA requirements and other criteria to become eligible for certain scholarships. Scholarships each have their own set of criteria that students must meet. Learners will find that some scholarships are only offered to those pursuing a social work career or degree, while others have more broad requirements.
Explore the many scholarships available to students entering helping professions.
Online Bachelor’s in Social Work Scholarships
BSW Scholarships
Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago Scholarship Funds
$8,000
Who Can Apply: The Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago Scholarship Funds are typically awarded to students in the Chicago area who are full-time undergraduate or graduate Jewish students planning to pursue a career in the helping professions.
National Association of Black Social Workers Scholarships
Varies
Who Can Apply: The National Association of Black Social Workers offers several scholarship opportunities to members of the NABSW. Candidates must be bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral students who are enrolled full time in a social work program.
Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans
$20,000 to $25,000
Who Can Apply: The Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans provide students with partial support in completing their education. Candidates must have their green card or be naturalized, first generation citizens of the United States. Applicants must also be either a college senior or in their first or second year of a graduate social work program.
Freemont Foundation Scholarship Program
Varies
Who Can Apply: The Freemont Foundation Scholarship Program is available to high school seniors, undergraduates, and graduate students pursuing a career in the helping professions. Candidates must attend a historically black college or university.
SIP Scholarship Program
Varies
Who Can Apply: The SIP Scholarship Program offered by UAS7 awards two-to-six month internship opportunities to social work and applied science undergraduate students and provide them with a full-tuition waiver for the semesters in which they are enrolled in the internship.
Elizabeth J. Davis Scholarship
$3,000
Who Can Apply: The Elizabeth J. Davis Scholarship is available to Vermont undergraduate or graduate students studying nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, or medical social work.
Senior Care Scholarship
$3,000
Who Can Apply: The Senior Care Scholarship is available to students interested in gerontology. Candidates must be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program in social work, nursing, or another medical-related program and plan on pursuing a career that involves working with senior citizens.
Dr. Alma S. Adams Scholarship for Outreach and Health Communications
$5,000
Who Can Apply: The Dr. Alma S. Adams Scholarship for Outreach and Health Communications offers scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students dedicated to helping truth initiative accomplish a tobacco-free generation. Candidates must be pursuing a major in social work, communications, or public health.
Bethesda Lutheran Communities Student Scholastic and Service Scholarship
$3,000
Who Can Apply: Bethesda Lutheran Communities Student Scholastic and Service Scholarship awards scholarships to undergraduate students pursuing a degree in any area of service to help people with developmental disabilities. Candidates must be an active member of a Lutheran congregation and have a 3.0 minimum GPA.
NFRW National Pathfinder Scholarship
$2,500
Who Can Apply: The NFRW National Pathfinder Scholarship is awarded to women studying to prevent drug and alcohol abuse. Candidates must be majoring in social work, sociology, psychology, or pharmacology.
Online Master’s in Social Work Scholarships
MSW Scholarships
Consuelo W. Gosnell Memorial Scholarship
$2,000 to $4,000
Who Can Apply: The Consuelo W. Gosnell Memorial Scholarship is awarded to 10 master of social work students each year. Candidates must be committed to working with American Indian/Alaska Native and Hispanic/Latino populations.
Verne LaMarr Lyons Memorial MSW Scholarship
$4,150 to $5,500
Who Can Apply: The Verne LaMarr Lyons Memorial MSW scholarship is awarded students pursuing a master’s in social work who have an interest or experience with health/mental health practice, and they must also be committed to working with members of the African-American community.
The National Association of Black Social Workers Scholarships
Varies
Who Can Apply: The National Association of Black Social Workers has several scholarship opportunities for members. Candidates must be enrolled in a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate social work program.
American Indian Education Program
Varies
Who Can Apply: The American Indian Education Program awards scholarships to master’s of social work students who belong to a federally recognized tribe. Candidates must have a 2.0 minimum GPA and be a junior or senior.
The Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans
$20,000 to $25,000
Who Can Apply: The Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans offers partial support to students who are completing their social work education. To be considered, candidates must be naturalized, have their green card, or be first generation citizens in the United States.
The Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago Scholarship Funds
$8,000
Who Can Apply: The Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago Scholarship Funds are offered to Jewish college students who are studying full-time and pursuing careers in the helping professions. Students who receive the scholarships are often from the Chicago area.
The Freemont Foundation Scholarship Program
Varies
Who Can Apply: The Freemont Foundation Scholarship Program is offered to high school seniors, undergraduates, and graduate students who plan on attending a historically black college or university and pursuing a career in the helping professions.
The Elizabeth J. Davis Scholarship
$3,000
Who Can Apply: The Elizabeth J. Davis Scholarship is available to undergraduate and graduate students in Vermont studying medical social work, physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, or nursing.
The Melanie Foundation Scholarship
$2,500
Who Can Apply: The Melanie Foundation Scholarship is awarded to students pursuing their master’s or doctoral degree in the mental health field. Candidates must be involved in volunteer, research, and extracurricular activities.
The Senior Care Scholarship
$3,000
Who Can Apply: The Senior Care Scholarship is awarded to students interested in the gerontology field. Students must be enrolled in associate, bachelor’s, or graduate-level programs in nursing, medical, or social work and plan to pursue a career working with senior citizens.
Online Doctorate in Social Work Scholarships
DSW Scholarships
Social Work HEALS Doctoral Fellowship
$17,900
Who Can Apply: Offered by NASW, this fellowship funds doctoral students in social work who plan to pursue careers in health social work. Applicants must be NASW and CSWE members attending a CSWE-accredited doctoral program.
Eileen Blackey Doctoral Fellowship
$4,000-$6,500
Who Can Apply: Doctoral candidates with membership in NASW who specialize in welfare policy and practice qualify for this fellowship. To apply, applicants must submit a three-page proposal summary including the objectives of their project, a statement of relevance and significance, the project design and methodology, their expected dissertation completion date, and an itemized budget.
Jane B. Aron Doctoral Fellowship
$17,900
Who Can Apply: NASW offers this fellowship to doctoral candidates who demonstrate a commitment to the field of health social work. Applicants should be engaged in dissertation research related to healthcare social work education, policy, or practice.
National Association of Black Social Workers Scholarships
Varies
Who Can Apply: The NABSW offers multiple scholarships to doctoral students. Applicants must be members of NABSW and submit a statement of purpose and two letters of recommendation.
Minority Fellowship Program
Varies
Who Can Apply: Provided by CSWE, doctoral students in social work can apply for this fellowship. Applicants should be committed to reducing health disparities and improving healthcare outcomes of racially and ethnically diverse populations by increasing the number of culturally competent behavioral health professionals. While this program targets applicants who identify as racial or ethnic minorities, it is not explicitly limited to these groups.
Melanie Foundation Scholarship
$2,500
Who Can Apply: Doctoral students in the field of mental health can apply for this scholarship. Applicants must be nominated and provide two letters of recommendation, a CV, transcripts, an essay, and a cover letter. Recipients may reapply for additional years.
Doctoral Dissertation Award in the Psychology of Aging
$2,500
Who Can Apply: Candidates in their final year of a doctoral program can apply for this award if their research focuses on the psychology of aging and adult development. Applicants must provide a cover letter, a dissertation abstract, and a letter from their dissertation advisor.
CSWE Scholars Program
Varies
Who Can Apply: The scholars program offered through CSWE helps doctoral students in social work by providing funds for research projects. Applicants should hold experience with a variety of research methods, such as literature reviews, surveys, and focus groups.
Leopold Schepp Foundation Scholarship
$9,000
Who Can Apply: Doctoral students in the field of social work can apply for this award. Candidates must submit letters of recommendation, hold a minimum 3.3 GPA, and demonstrate financial need. Applicants must be enrolled in classes full time, and finalists must attend an interview in New York.
Graduate Student Research Award
$500
Who Can Apply: The American Society on Aging offers an award to doctoral students who submit an unpublished research paper on a topic related to aging. Applicants must be sponsored by a faculty member.