While a social work degree is certainly a worthy investment, financing your MSW program can be challenging. With the many organizations that offer scholarships, grants, and loan programs designed to help aspiring social workers pay for their education, cost should not be a deterrent when deciding whether or not to earn an advanced degree.
Knowing the resources that are available will help you conquer the challenge posed by financing your education. Here are just some of the many websites and programs dedicated to helping you pay for your social work master’s degree. This page was last updated on January 2020. If you have a suggestion for a scholarship please reach out to us at contactus@socialworklicensemap.com.
- Social Work Scholarships
- Social Work Scholarships for Minority Students
- Military Financial Assistance
- Social Work Scholarships for Women
- Fraternity and Sorority Scholarships
- Social Work Loans and Loan Repayment
Social Work Scholarships
Alice M. Yarnold and Samuel Yarnold Scholarship Trust
Amount: $1,000 to $5,000
State Restriction: Open to residents in New Hampshire.
Description: This trust was established to help students entering the fields of nursing, medicine, or social work, who may not otherwise be able to attend college due to financial circumstances. Applicants must be New Hampshire residents, already in the process of post-secondary education, who can demonstrate both financial need and academic excellence. Submit applications to Alice M. Yarnold and Samuel Yarnold Scholarship Trust, 127 Parrott Avenue, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, 03801.
Consuelo W. Gosnell Memorial Scholarship
Amount: $4,000
Description: Up to 10 scholarships of up to $4,000 each are awarded to master’s degree candidates in social work who have demonstrated an affinity with or commitment to working with, Hispanic/Latino and American Indian/Alaska Native populations. Students must be an NASW member and have applied to or been accepted to an accredited MSW program.
Sponsored Online Social Work Programs
- Research-driven faculty dedicated to making an impact on social problems
- Prepares you to apply social work skills across practice settings
- Four areas of focus: Individuals and Families, Organizations and Community, Evaluation, and Policy Practice and Advocacy
- Four Specialized Courses of Study: Child and Family, Trauma and Interpersonal Violence, Mental Health and Addictions and Health and Aging
- Four program tracks: Advanced Standing, Accelerated, Full-Time and Extended
- CWRU’s Mandel School is a top-10 ranked graduate school of social work (2019).1
- Three paths of study are available to prepare social work leaders to work in clinical or community practice.
- Offered by USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, a top-ranked graduate school by U.S. News & World Report (2019).1
- Features field education in or near student’s own communities.
- Ethically integrates faith and social work practice
- Specialize in clinical practice or community practice
1U.S. News & World Report – Best Schools for Social Work
Sponsored Online Social Work Programs
Amount: Up to $15,000
Description: The Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund provides grants to students actively working for peace and justice and living in the United States. These need-based scholarships are awarded to those able to do academic work at the university level and who are part of the progressive movement on their campus and in the community. The exact amount of the award is determined by circumstance and the amount of funding available.
Amount: 5,000
State Restrictions: Texas-based graduate schools of social work are invited to recommend a student only.
Description: The Ima Hogg Foundation awards scholarships to graduate in accredited social work programs in Texas. Applicants must be recommended by the dean or director of the social work program, demonstrate a commitment to providing mental health services to underrepresented or underserved Texas communities and address needs and hardship in the personal statement.
Jane B. Aron Doctoral Fellowship
Amount: Varies $17,900
Description: Social Work HEALS is a collaboration between the NASW and CSWE to provide a grant to one deserving doctoral fellow. The candidate’s dissertation must focus on health policy and practice, and diversity components are encouraged. Of the award amount, $15,500 will be disbursed directly to the university of the recipient with an additional $2,400 set aside for conferences and leadership development.
National Association of Junior Auxiliaries, Inc. Graduate Scholarship Program
Amount: Various
Description: Applicants must be working or planning to work directly with children and pursuing graduate level studies for one year in fields which address the special needs of children and youth. Scholarships are NOT awarded for graduate work in administration or general education. Applicants must also be a U.S. citizen and a permanent resident of a state with a Junior Auxiliary Chapter: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee.
The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF)
Amount: $2,500 – $12,000
Description: The NIAF will award scholarships and grants to Italian American students, or students with one Italian descent, who demonstrate outstanding potential and high academic achievements. The awards will be made on the basis of academic merit and divided between two groups of students.Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.5.
Patty Gibbs-Wahlberg Scholarship
Amount: $1,000, $2,000 and $3,000
Description: The Patty-Gibbs Wahlberg Scholarship is presented by the Phi Alpha Honor Society for Social Work and is awarded for student scholarship, service and leadership. The first-prize winner also receives an all-expenses paid trip to present their work during the Association of Baccalaureate Program Directors conference.
Amount: Varies
Description: The Point Foundation provides financial support, mentoring, and hope to meritorious students who are marginalized due to sexual orientation, gender expression, or gender identity. The application is open to all LGBTQ students nationwide regardless of level of education.
The Roothbert Fund – Fellowship
Amount: Average $5,000-$7,000
Description: The Roothbert Fund provides scholarships for persons who are motivated by spiritual values and who can demonstrate financial need.
Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America Leadership Grant
Amount: $4,000 — $25,000
Description: Through the Sons of Italy Foundation (SIF) and more than 650 state and local lodges, the Order Sons of Italy in America (OSIA) has awarded nearly $61 million in scholarships to date to U.S. citizens of Italian descent (at least one Italian or Italian American grandparent) enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at a four-year, accredited academic institution during the fall term. Previous SIF scholarship winners are not eligible. Additional eligibility requirements may apply to specific scholarships.
Amount: $1,000 — $7,000
Description: The Kosciuszko Foundation provides tuition scholarships for U.S. citizens of Polish descent to be used for graduate studies in any field at colleges and universities in the United States, and to Americans of non-Polish descent whose studies at American universities are focused primarily on Polish subjects. Scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis for one academic year.
The Verne LaMarr Lyons Memorial Scholarship
Amount: Up to $5,500
Description: This scholarship is offered by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) for one academic year to a Master of Social Work degree candidate who demonstrates an interest in or has experience with health/mental health practice and has a commitment to working in the African American community.
Social Work Scholarships for Minority Students
American Indian Graduate Center (AIGC)
Amount: Varies
Description: Graduate fellowships are offered for American Indian and Alaskan Native students. AIGC awards are based on unmet need. Applicants must be pursuing a degree as a full-time student.
Sponsored Online Social Work Programs
- Research-driven faculty dedicated to making an impact on social problems
- Prepares you to apply social work skills across practice settings
- Four areas of focus: Individuals and Families, Organizations and Community, Evaluation, and Policy Practice and Advocacy
- Four Specialized Courses of Study: Child and Family, Trauma and Interpersonal Violence, Mental Health and Addictions and Health and Aging
- Four program tracks: Advanced Standing, Accelerated, Full-Time and Extended
- CWRU’s Mandel School is a top-10 ranked graduate school of social work (2019).1
- Three paths of study are available to prepare social work leaders to work in clinical or community practice.
- Offered by USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, a top-ranked graduate school by U.S. News & World Report (2019).1
- Features field education in or near student’s own communities.
- Ethically integrates faith and social work practice
- Specialize in clinical practice or community practice
1U.S. News & World Report – Best Schools for Social Work
Sponsored Online Social Work Programs
Amount: $500 each
Description: Two book scholarships are awarded each academic year to students who demonstrate a commitment to work for social justice and equity in social work. Applicants must be in their last year of study in a bachelor’s or master’s degree program in social work accredited by CSWE. Applicants must have a GPA of at least a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, be a full-time student, demonstrate a commitment to equity and social justice and be American citizens, non-citizen nationals or have permanent residence status. Priority will be given but not limited to minority ethnic/racial individuals.
Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF)
Amount: $500-$5,000
Description: Student must be of Hispanic heritage, and have a minimum 3.0 GPA. Student must be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident pursuing their degree full-time at a not-for-profit four-year university or graduate school, and must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Each HSF scholarship and grant may also have its own specific requirements. Scholarships are available for both undergraduate and graduate students.
Indian Health Services – Health Professionals Program
Amount: Varies
Description: The Health Professions Scholarship Program is for American Indian and Alaska Native students who are members of their Tribe (federally recognized only), enrolled in a Master of Social Work degree program. Students incur service obligations and payback requirements on acceptance of funding from this program.
Agnes Jones Jackson Scholarship
Amount: Up to $2,000
Description: This program of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) provides $2,000 stipends to members who are students. Applicants must be U.S. citizens under the age of 25.
National Association of Black Social Workers (NABSW)
Amount: Various
Description: NABSW offers a number of scholarships to African American social work students, such as the Dr. Joyce Beckett Graduate Tuition Scholarship, the Selena Danette Brown Book Scholarship, and the Cenie Jomo Williams Tuition Scholarship. NABSW scholarships are for active, paid members enrolled for full-time study at an accredited United States social work program. Applicants must be enrolled in the semester the award will be granted, be of African descent, have demonstrated service to the community, express a research interest in the black community, and have at least a 2.5 GPA.
National Association of Puerto Rican Hispanic Social Workers (NAPRHSW)
Amount: Varies
Description: NAPRHSW provides scholarship awards to first or second year full-time graduate students presently enrolled in a School of Social Work program. Applicants must be able to demonstrate a strong interest in community organization and community advocacy that could potentially impact the Puerto Rican/Latino community. Applicants should demonstrate financial need and proficient academic performance.
Office of Navajo Nation Scholarship and Financial Assistance (ONNSFA) – Graduate Award
Amount: $2,500 – $5,000
Description: The ONNSFA established to provide financial assistance in the form of grant awards to eligible Navajo students wishing to attend or attending graduate school, utilizing the Navajo Nation Graduate Trust Fund. All graduate applicants shall provide to ONNSFA official academic transcripts with conferred degree and/or type of graduate degree granted.
The Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans
Amount: Up to $90,000 over two years
Description: The fellowships honor and support the graduate education of New Americans: born in the US or board abroad under one of the following: naturalized citizen status, adoptions, possessing a valid green card, having been granted asylum or refugee status in the U.S. Applicants must be pursuing a full-time graduate degree in the U.S.
William Randolph Hearst Endowed Fellowship for Minority Students
Description: The Nonprofit Sector Research Fund, a grant-making program of the Aspen Institute in Washington, D.C., annually offers the William Randolph Hearst Endowed Scholarship. The scholarship, which is based on academic excellence and need, is open to both undergraduate and graduate students who are members of minority groups.
Military Financial Assistance
Amount: Varies
Description: The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides financial support for education to honorably discharged veterans or active duty personnel. The percentage of benefits received depends on the time spent on active duty. Eligibility restrictions apply.
Amount: Varies
Description: The Yellow Ribbon Program is a provision of the Post-9/11 Veterans Education Assistance Act of 2008. This program allows American institutions of higher education to voluntarily enter into an agreement with the Department of Veterans Affairs to fund tuition expenses of service members and veterans that exceed the highest public in-state undergraduate tuition rate. Eligibility restrictions apply.
Amount: Varies
Description: MGIB benefits are available for service members and veterans to help with education and training costs. There are two versions of the MGIB: one for active duty soldiers and veterans (MGIB-AD), and another for members of the Reserves and National Guard (MGIB-SR).
Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP)
Amount: Varies
Description: VEAP is available if you elected to make contributions from your military pay to participate in this education benefit program. Your contributions are matched on a $2-for-$1 basis by the government. You may use these benefits for degree, certificate, correspondence, apprenticeships, on-the-job training and vocational flight training programs. Depending on the number of your monthly contributions, you may be entitled for up to 36-months of benefits.
Survivors and Dependents Assistance (DEA)
Amount: Varies
Description: DEA provides education benefits to eligible spouses and children of certain veterans. You may receive up to 45 months of education benefits, which may be used toward degree programs, certifications, apprenticeships and on-the-job training.
Amount: Varies
Description: Tuition Assistance (TA) will pay for some or all of the tuition costs of college courses that you take while on active duty. TA is a benefit paid to eligible members of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard. Active-duty members may choose to use the MGIB “top-up” in addition to their service-provided TA. The use of “top-up” allows for payment up to 100 percent of tuition expenses. TA benefits are separate from your GI Bill benefits and do not count against them. Eligibility restrictions apply.
Sponsored Online Social Work Programs
- Research-driven faculty dedicated to making an impact on social problems
- Prepares you to apply social work skills across practice settings
- Four areas of focus: Individuals and Families, Organizations and Community, Evaluation, and Policy Practice and Advocacy
- Four Specialized Courses of Study: Child and Family, Trauma and Interpersonal Violence, Mental Health and Addictions and Health and Aging
- Four program tracks: Advanced Standing, Accelerated, Full-Time and Extended
- CWRU’s Mandel School is a top-10 ranked graduate school of social work (2019).1
- Three paths of study are available to prepare social work leaders to work in clinical or community practice.
- Offered by USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, a top-ranked graduate school by U.S. News & World Report (2019).1
- Features field education in or near student’s own communities.
- Ethically integrates faith and social work practice
- Specialize in clinical practice or community practice
1U.S. News & World Report – Best Schools for Social Work
Sponsored Online Social Work Programs
Social Work Scholarships for Women
American Association of University Women (AAUW)
Amount: Varies
Description: One of the world’s largest sources of funding for women’s higher education, the AAUW provides a series of fellowships and grants to women pursuing graduate studies.
Fraternity and Sorority Scholarships
Juliette Derricotte Scholarship
Amount: $1,500 — $2,000
Description: Awards are available to members of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. only. Specifically, this scholarship is awarded to Deltas who are enrolled in a graduate program related to social group work.
Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation Scholarship
Amount: Varies (most scholarships are for $3,000 for one year)
Description: This aid is available only to members of Kappa Kappa Gamma. Please note your chapter membership in your request. Graduate students, please state whether studying full-time or part-time. GPA requirements for the graduate scholarship are a minimum of 3.2 and application must be accompanied by an academic or professional reference.
Amount: $1,000 – $2,000
Description: Pi Gamma Mu’s scholarships are intended for first or second year of graduate work in the areas of sociology, anthropology, political science, history, economics, international relations, public administration, criminal justice, law, social work, psychology, and human/cultural geography. The program is open to members of Pi Gamma Mu who are in good standing.
Omega Psi Phi – George E. Meares Memorial Scholarship
Amount: Up to $5,000
Description: The George E. Meares Memorial scholarship is awarded to full-time graduate or professional students in social work, social sciences or criminal justice. All students in the U.S. are eligible to apply; but application must come from Chapter nomination.
Social Work Loans and Loan Repayment
Bill Raskob Foundation Educational Loan Program
Amount: Varies
Description: The Bill Raskob Foundation offers educational loans at no interest to U.S. citizens enrolled in an accredited institution of higher education for the upcoming school year. Students must be attending a school in the U.S. The Foundation does not award scholarships or grants, nor does it accept applications from foreign students.
National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Loan Repayment Program
Amount: Varies
Description: The NHSC Loan Repayment Program is a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and works to offer loan repayment to social workers for a two-year commitment in a shortage area, and who are licensed in the state they plan to serve. The Loan Repayment Program offers funding based upon the need of the community in which a provider work.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
Amount: Varies
Description: The Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program is a government initiative to encourage individuals to enter and continue to work full time in public service jobs. Borrowers may qualify for forgiveness of the remaining balance due on their Federal Direct Loans after they have made 120 payments on those loans under certain repayment plans while employed full time by certain public service employers. Visit the website for more specific information about eligible repayment plans.
State-by-State Social Work Scholarships
Find social work scholarships specific to your state by clicking on your states name below:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
- Washington, D.C.
If you are interested in pursuing a degree in social work, visit our full list of to find an online (MSW) programs.
Sponsored Online Social Work Programs
- Research-driven faculty dedicated to making an impact on social problems
- Prepares you to apply social work skills across practice settings
- Four areas of focus: Individuals and Families, Organizations and Community, Evaluation, and Policy Practice and Advocacy
- Four Specialized Courses of Study: Child and Family, Trauma and Interpersonal Violence, Mental Health and Addictions and Health and Aging
- Four program tracks: Advanced Standing, Accelerated, Full-Time and Extended
- CWRU’s Mandel School is a top-10 ranked graduate school of social work (2019).1
- Three paths of study are available to prepare social work leaders to work in clinical or community practice.
- Offered by USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, a top-ranked graduate school by U.S. News & World Report (2019).1
- Features field education in or near student’s own communities.
- Ethically integrates faith and social work practice
- Specialize in clinical practice or community practice
1U.S. News & World Report – Best Schools for Social Work
Sponsored Online Social Work Programs