Scholarships for Social Work Majors

Kayla Leng
By
Updated on September 6, 2023
Edited by
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Learn about scholarships and financial aid available for social work students.

Individuals looking to launch a successful social work career often start their journey by earning an accredited social work degree. Graduating from a social work program means completing diverse coursework in topics such as psychology, sociology, and intercultural issues. Additionally, gaining licensure entails spending significant time performing supervised work to gain clinical experience.

The time and expense that you spend earning an online social work degree and licensure can lead to better employment opportunities and a higher salary. Additionally, many social work degree scholarships exist to help you pay for school.

This guide provides an overview detailing what to expect when looking for scholarships for social work students.

Financial Assistance for Social Work Majors

Many different forms of financial assistance, such as loans, scholarships, grants, fellowships, and work-study opportunities, can all help you pay for your social work degree.

College loans come from private financial institutions, such as banks, or from the federal government. The terms of these loans vary depending on many factors. For example, federal loans typically carry lower interest rates than private loans. If you demonstrate enough need, you may also qualify for a subsidized loan, which can save you thousands of dollars on interest.

Whatever form of assistance you pursue, remember to begin by filling out your FAFSA.

Grants and scholarships award funds that you do not need to repay. Grants often come from federal funding and are typically need-based awards. In contrast, scholarships come from private sources and usually set academic standards that you must meet to keep your awarded funds.

Fellowships provide merit-based financial awards at the graduate level or above; these are usually given to students conducting research and entail service commitments. Work-study programs match students who demonstrate financial need with a part-time job on campus, allowing them to earn money to help pay for expenses.

Whatever form of assistance you pursue, remember to begin by filling out your FAFSA. Your FAFSA results demonstrate your level of need and are a requirement for seeking financial aid at accredited schools.

Social Work Loan Repayment and Forgiveness

Organizations maintain many loan repayment and forgiveness programs for social work students. These programs usually feature employment-based stipulations, such as working in high-need areas.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

PSLF can forgive all of your remaining student loan debt after you have completed 10 years of service working full time for an approved employer.

National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program

If you plan on working as a licensed clinical social worker, you may receive up to $50,000 from NHSC to pay off your student loans. Qualification requirements include working for at least two years at an eligible site.

Scholarships for Bachelor’s in Social Work Students

Majoring in social work at the undergraduate level offers an excellent introduction to the field. It can prepare graduates for careers in counseling or graduate school. You can learn more about earning an online bachelor’s in social work (BSW). Social work majors may qualify for a variety of scholarships, including the awards listed below.

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Scholarships for Master’s in Social Work Students

Earning a master’s in social work (MSW) may qualify you to provide direct clinical care. To help increase the number of MSW graduates, many organizations offer scholarships to individuals pursuing an online master’s in social work. See the list below for a few examples.

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Scholarships for Doctorate in Social Work Students

Earning a doctorate in social work (DSW) can open the door to exciting careers in research, higher education, and advanced clinical practice. Many organizations offer scholarships and fellowships, such as those listed below, to help doctoral students complete their education, conduct research, and carry out their dissertation.

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Additional Financial Aid Resources

An Overview of Financial Aid

Approximately two-thirds of today’s college students rely on loans to fund their education, but there are plenty of overlooked financing options you can use to reduce your overall student debt for your social work degree.

Financial Aid for Online Students

Financial aid for social work online learning is equivalent to what you will find for campus-based learning, but that has not always been the case. Learn about the changes that have taken place, as well as the different funding opportunities available to online students.

Scholarships for Single Parents

An online social work program can be a flexible, affordable option for single parents interested in earning a degree and securing their family’s financial future. We’ve compiled a list of scholarships, grants, and other financial aid options geared toward single moms and dads.

Scholarships for Students with Disabilties

Paying for a social work degree can be difficult for students with disabilities. Our guide provides an overview of the many financing options and benefits for disabled students.

Financial Aid for Veterans and Active Military

U.S. military personnel interested in a social work degree can take advantage of millions of unused dollars in free money. Learn more about grants, scholarships, and other financial aid opportunities for veterans, active-duty service members, and reservists.


Frequently Asked Questions

How do you pay for a degree in social work?

Paying for a social work degree need not intimidate you. Many forms of financial aid exist for this purpose, including scholarships and grants. The aid available to you depends on your degree level, financial situation, and other demographic factors.

Are there many scholarships available for social work?

Many organizations offer social work degree scholarships to traditional and nontraditional learners. The field of social work continues to experience shortages of qualified workers who hold accredited degrees. Private organizations often incentivize students to pursue social work degrees by providing scholarships.

Where can I find scholarships for social work?

You can search for social work scholarships through online portals. Professional organizations for social workers, such as the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), typically maintain helpful reference materials. CSWE offers an extensive index of links to social work degree scholarships.

Are there grants for social work students?

Many grants are tailored specifically to social work students. Grants typically award funds based on outstanding need or other special qualifiers, such as a social work student’s plan to work in high-need areas or with at-risk populations upon graduation.

How do I qualify for a social work scholarship?

Social work scholarships, like other scholarships, typically award funds based on merit. However, many social work scholarships show preference towards students who also fall into a specific cultural, economic, or gender group in the interest of promoting diversity and helping the underserved.

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