ManJoeAs the demand for more efficient social and human services continues to increase in our era, opportunities for aspiring social workers also tend to increase.
However, the rising expense of higher education has created financial hardships for students and their families.
Fortunately, scholarships for master’s programs in social work are available based on a student’s needs, performance, or merit.
The average expense of schooling in the United States (US) may be impeding the route to meeting the need for qualified social workers.
On the bright side, qualified students for the Scholarships for Master’s Programs in Social Work get government student aid, campus-based scholarships, and organization-funded grants.
According to research conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) in 2021, students at four-year schools in the United States who received federal grants and scholarship aid received an average of $14,080 in the academic year 2019–2020.
In this guide, the Explorescholar team covers the best scholarships for Master’s programs in social work in the United States, including qualifying criteria, application processes, and potential scholarship amounts.
Furthermore, fellowship funds for graduate students are available to assist social work professionals who want to enhance their education and professions.
Let’s get started.
Scholarships for Master’s Programs in Social Work
Scholarships for Master’s Programs in Social Work are classified into three types: merit-based scholarships, need-based scholarships, and demographic- or specialty-specific scholarships.
Taking these factors into account, US and international students have numerous possibilities for funding their further education and embarking on a fulfilling career in social work.
Let’s talk about these types of scholarships
1. Merit-based scholarships.
Merit-based scholarships are financial grants provided to students who have demonstrated excellent academic, athletic, or creative abilities and accomplishments, among other things, rather than being granted solely on the basis of financial need.
These scholarships are offered by academic institutions, private organizations, and enterprises. The amount of money conferred varies from a set sum to the full tuition and additional fees.
The cash scholarship may also cover educational opportunities such as mentorships, internships, and studying abroad.
Popular merit-based scholarships in the United States include the National Merit Scholarship Program and the Harry S. Truman Scholarship.
2. Need-based Scholarships
Need-based scholarships are awarded to students from low-income families or to people who face financial difficulties that prevent them from pursuing their postsecondary education.
These scholarships are awarded based on a variety of financial variables, including family income, assets, and expenses.
The amount of money students may require to cover educational expenses is determined by the evaluation of these personal details.
Examples of need-based scholarships are the Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund and the Federal Pell Grant.
In the academic year 2020-2021, an expected 6.4 million students earned the Federal Pell Grant, with the maximum amount awarded being $6,345 according to research conducted by the US Department of Education in 2022.
3. Scholarships for specific demographic groups or social work specialties
Demographic-based scholarships are financial incentives given to students based on their personal traits or demographic origins.
They want to help those from oppressed groups like ethnic minorities, the LGBTQIA+ community, and students with impairments.
The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) offers a demographic-based social work scholarship through the Carl A. Scott Memorial Fund.
Meanwhile, specialty-based scholarships are available to students based on their educational and professional interests, abilities, and ambitions in a certain field of study, such as science, the arts, or healthcare.
Examples of specialty-based social work scholarships include the CSWE’s Substance Use Disorders Scholars Program and the National Association of Social Workers Foundation Scholarship.
Having understood the types of Scholarships for Master’s Programs in Social Work, let’s see the best Scholarships in 2024
Best Scholarships for Master’s Programs in Social Work in 2024
1. The Dr. Alma S. Adams Scholarship for Outreach and Health Communications
The first scholarship for master’s programs in social work on our list is the Dr. Alma S. Adams Scholarship for Outreach and Health Communications.
The American Legacy Foundation sponsors this scholarship, which aims to minimize tobacco use in “priority populations,” or groups that are disproportionately targeted by the tobacco industry.
Such groups and communities usually have insufficient resources to counteract tobacco use, resulting in greater exposure to the detrimental effects of tobacco use.
These communities are mostly composed of ethnic individuals with low incomes.
- Award amount: $5000.
- Two scholarships are granted annually to graduate and undergraduate students.
Eligibility: This grant is available to full-time students pursuing degrees in public health, communications, social work, education, or other liberal arts fields.
Eligible applicants must have a 3.0 GPA at the time of application and demonstrate community service in an economically or socially disadvantaged community and/or environment.
2: The Consuelo W. Gosnell Memorial MSW Scholarships
The National Association of Social Workers Foundation administers this scholarship, which is offered annually to students pursuing master’s degrees in social work.
Candidates must be interested in working with American Indian, Alaska Native, Hispanic, and Latino populations.
Preferred applicants will also exhibit a willingness to cooperate with nonprofit and grassroots organizations and groups in the United States.
This fellowship is named after Consuelo W. Gosnell, a native Mexican (from Ciudad Juarez) who was a dedicated civil and human rights advocate who campaigned to improve the lives of American Indians and Latinos in the Southwest.
Award amounts fluctuate depending on the fund’s projected annual returns. For the academic year 2024–2025, up to ten $4,000 scholarships will be awarded.
- Number of Awards: The number of scholarships awarded is determined by the available cash and the number of applications.
Eligibility: This prize is open to members of the National Association of Social Workers who are enrolled in an accredited master’s-level social work program with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
GRE scores are not necessary while applying.
If you already have a BSW, you can finish the online MSW program in as little as 18 months; if you don’t, it can take as little as 27 months to complete.
The online MSW program has two tracks: regular and advanced standing.
3. National Merit Scholarship Program
The National Merit Scholarship Program is a top social work program that recognizes and grants college scholarships to outstanding high school students in the United States.
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), an independent non-profit organization founded in 1955, organizes and administers the program.
Over the years, the NMSC has guaranteed that it recognizes students with outstanding academic performance, provides financial aid to further their studies, and properly manages sponsorships that pay the
Eligibility: Must take the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).
Must be enrolled as a high school student (traditional or homeschooled), progressing as usual toward high school completion, and expecting to enter college by the fall after high school completion.
4. The Harry S. Truman Scholarship
The Harry S. Truman Scholarship is a distinguished graduate fellowship in the United States that is offered each year to academically excellent undergraduate juniors who want to pursue professions and leadership roles in public service.
Congress established the scholarship program in 1975 to honor Harry S. Truman, the 33rd president of the United States, and the ideas of service that inspired his administration.
Award Amount: Up to $30,000.
Eligibility: Must be a US citizen, a US national living in American Samoa, or expecting citizenship by the awarding date.
Must be enrolled in a US-based, approved college.
Applicants finishing in a minimum of four years must be in their penultimate year of undergraduate studies, while those graduating in a maximum of three years must be in their final year.
Candidates for community college or transfer must be nominated by their present or prior academic institutions.
Applicants must plan to attend graduate school to pursue a career in public service. The application deadline occurs in the first quarter of the year.
5. Vern LaMarr Lyons Memorial MSW Scholarship
The National Association of Social Workers Foundation administers this scholarship, which is offered annually to students pursuing master’s degrees in social work.
Candidates must be interested in working in, or have previous experience working in, a health or mental health clinic that serves African American populations.
This fellowship honors Vern LaMarr Lyons, a social worker and NASW member who died while awaiting a heart transplant.
Lyons dedicated her life to solving health issues that disproportionately affected African American communities.
- Award amounts fluctuate depending on the fund’s projected annual returns.
- Number of Awards: The number of scholarships awarded is determined by the available cash and the number of applications.
Eligibility: This grant is available to members of the National Association of Social Workers who are enrolled in an accredited master’s-level social work program with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
FAQS
What are the requirement for Masters in Social Work?
The candidate must have a second-class (lower division) Bachelor’s degree in social work from an approved university or a postgraduate diploma with a CGPA of at least 3.0 on a 5-point scale, or its equivalent, from an accredited university.
Which course is the best for a social worker?
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), Master of Social Work (MSW) A bachelor of social work (BSW) degree qualifies you for entry-level careers in mental health, geriatric services, and residential treatment. To become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), you must first complete your MSW.
Conclusion
Students interested in a career in social work can contact their state departments of higher education to learn about alternative scholarships, grants, and loan forgiveness programs that they may be eligible for.
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