Key Takeaways
Social work students at the bachelor's, master's, or doctoral level can access dozens of scholarships to reduce student loan debt and fund their education.
The list includes national, identity-based, and degree-specific scholarships, with awards ranging from $500 to $90,000 for eligible applicants.
Applying to multiple scholarships aligned with your background and specialization can increase financial support and reduce reliance on loans.
Social workers help people overcome challenges, access support services, and improve their quality of life. Although social work careers are in high demand, many roles are not high-paying, making scholarships especially valuable.
Scholarships can reduce student loan debt and ease the cost of earning a social work degree. Keep reading to find scholarship opportunities for students pursuing a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree in social work.
Popular Online BSW Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Available Social Work Scholarships
Whether you're pursuing a bachelor's degree or a master of social work (MSW), there are many scholarship opportunities available to help fund your education. Below are 25 scholarships with varying eligibility requirements, award amounts, and deadlines.
15 Undergraduate Social Work Scholarships
Alice M. Yarnold and Samuel Yarnold Scholarship Trust
Eligibility: New Hampshire residents pursuing a social work degree qualify for this scholarship. Applicants must complete at least one year of college before applying. The scholarship also requires proof of financial need, and recipients must plan to practice in New Hampshire.
Award Amount: $1,000-$5,000 per year
Deadline: June
View the Alice M. Yarnold and Samuel Yarnold Scholarship Trust
Davis-Putter Scholarship
Eligibility: This scholarship recognizes students who are actively involved in progressive economic and social justice movements. Candidates must attend a postsecondary or technical school and submit a personal essay, letters of support, and evidence of financial need.
Award Amount: $7,500-15,000 per year
Deadline: April 1
Freemont Foundation Scholarship Program
Eligibility: Applicants must attend or plan to attend a historically Black college or university pursuing a career in the helping professions. Candidates must demonstrate a record of leadership and volunteerism in the community and participation in extracurricular school activities.
Award Amount: Varies
Deadline: February 7
Indian Health Service Preparatory Scholarship
Eligibility: This scholarship provides tuition and expenses to American Indian and Alaska Native undergraduate students enrolled in courses that lead to healthcare degrees. Applicants must be members or descendants of federally recognized, state-recognized, or terminated tribes.
Award Amount: $350-$750, plus a monthly stipend of $1,500
Deadline: February 28
The Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago Scholarship
Eligibility: This scholarship supports junior or senior undergraduate students of Jewish descent who demonstrate financial need. Recipients must be full-time students who intend to enter careers in the helping professions.
Award Amount: $4,000
Deadline: March 1
View the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago Scholarship
Leopold Schepp Foundation Scholarship
Eligibility: Intended for students majoring in social work or related fields, these scholarships support students who demonstrate superior character, academic excellence, compassion, and a commitment to volunteerism. Candidates must submit letters of recommendation, hold a minimum 3.3 GPA, and demonstrate financial need.
Award Amount: Up to $10,000
Deadline: Rolling
Lawanna Renee Barron Scholarship Endowment Fund
Eligibility: This scholarship supports BSW and MSW students pursuing their degrees in mostly rural areas. NASW members in good standing can apply by submitting an application form, biographical essay, official transcripts, and two letters of recommendation.
Award Amount: $2,000
Deadline: Early March
Patty Gibbs-Wahlberg Scholarship
Eligibility: Sponsored by the Phi Alpha Honor Society for Social Work, this scholarship benefits chapter members enrolled in accredited social work programs. Applicants must demonstrate a consistent record of scholarship, leadership, and service.
Award Amount: $1,000-$3,000
Deadline: May 31
Presbyterian Scholarships for Undergraduates
Eligibility: This need-based award for members of the Presbyterian Church assists students who have completed their first year of college with a minimum 2.5 GPA. Applicants may major in several fields, including healthcare services and social work.
Award Amount: $4,000, $2,000 supplemental award for people of color
Deadline: Early May
Pride Foundation Scholarship
Eligibility: The Pride Foundation offers multiple scholarships for LGBTQ+ and allied students studying social work and related fields. Candidates must be residents of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Washington, or Oregon, but may study elsewhere.
Award Amount: Varies
Deadline: January 9
American Indian College Fund Scholarships
Eligibility: Members of federally recognized tribes, including American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian applicants, can apply for these scholarships. Applicants must attend an accredited, nonprofit college or university.
Award Amount: $3,000
Deadline: May 31
Lawanna Renee Barron Scholarship
Eligibility: This scholarship supports bachelor's and master's social work students with interest or experience working in rural settings or in the health and mental health of African American communities. Applicants must be members of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW).
Award Amount: $1,000
Deadline: Early March
Carl A. Scott Book Scholarship
Eligibility: The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) awards two book scholarships, one to a BSW student and one to an MSW student, who are committed to promoting equity, racial, economic, and environmental justice. Applicants must attend a CSWE-accredited program and attend full time.
Award Amount: $500
Deadline: March 31
Dr. Morris F. X. Jeff, Jr. Tuition Scholarship
Eligibility: The National Association of Black Social Workers (NABSW) awards this scholarship to African-American student members. Applicants must be social work majors enrolled full- or part-time at an accredited college or university with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.
Award Amount: $2,000
Deadline: January 27
Senior Planning Social Work and Eldercare Award
Eligibility: Senior Planning awards this scholarship to undergraduate students who have fewer than 90 completed college credits and intend to pursue a social work degree specifically to work with the elderly population. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
Award Amount: Up to $900
Deadline: July 31 (for fall term) and December 15 (for spring term)
10 Graduate Social Work Scholarships
Consuelo W. Gosnell Memorial Scholarship
Eligibility: MSW students who are members of the National Association of Social Workers can apply. Candidates must be committed to working with or have a special affinity with American Indian/Alaska Native and Hispanic/Latino populations. The scholarship also supports candidates who demonstrate a commitment to public or voluntary nonprofit agencies or local grassroots groups.
Award Amount: $4,000
Deadline: March
Neysa Fanwick Memorial Scholarship Endowment
Eligibility: This scholarship supports MSW students dedicated to addressing injustices within criminal justice, foster care, healthcare, or other systems. Candidates must be NASW members in good standing. Application requirements include a biographical essay, statement of merit and financial need, official transcripts, and two letters of recommendation.
Award Amount: $5,000
Deadline: Not yet announced for 2026–27 cycle
Council on Social Work Education Minority Fellowship Program – Master's
Eligibility: MSW students in their final year may apply for this program if they demonstrate a commitment to reducing health disparities and improving healthcare outcomes of racially and ethnically diverse populations. The scholarship provides funding primarily but not exclusively for racial or ethnic minorities.
Award Amount: Varies
Deadline: May 11
View the Council on Social Work Education Minority Fellowship Program – Master's
Social Work Doctoral Student Policy Fellowship
Eligibility: Social work doctoral students who have finished at least one year of their program can apply. The fellowship funds experiential learning through virtual placements at a congressional office or government relation firm to gain policy experience.
Award Amount: $2,000 stipend and $2,000 travel award
Deadline: January 20
The Melanie Foundation Scholarship
Eligibility: These master's and doctoral scholarships provide assistance to students who plan to enter the mental health social work field. Candidates must be enrolled in an accredited master's program and provide evidence of volunteer, research, or work experience related to mental health.
Award Amount: $2,500
Deadline: March 5
Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans
Eligibility: This fellowship recognizes the work of immigrants, children of immigrants, and refugees pursuing graduate studies in several fields, including social work. Candidates must demonstrate a commitment to making significant contributions to American society, culture, or their academic field.
Award Amount: Up to $90,000
Deadline: October 29
Ima Hogg Scholarship
Eligibility: MSW students enrolled in a CSWE-accredited graduate program in Texas qualify for the scholarship. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and a commitment to providing mental health services to underserved or underrepresented communities in Texas.
Award Amount: $5,000
Deadline: March 13
Verne LaMarr Lyons Memorial MSW Scholarship
Eligibility: This MSW scholarship supports students committed to working with members of underrepresented communities and those demonstrating an interest in healthcare and mental health practice. Applicants must hold membership in the National Association of Social Workers.
Award Amount: $4,000
Deadline: Early March
Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation
Eligibility: The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation awards scholarships to students who intend to pursue graduate degrees in public service, including social work.
Award Amount: Up to $30,000
Deadline: February 2
Vet Center Scholarship Program
Eligibility: The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) awards this scholarship program to graduate students pursuing an MSW. Applicants must commit to working full-time within a VA Vet Center after graduation.
Award Amount: Full tuition and fees, additional expenses, and monthly living stipend
Deadline: Rolling
Where Else to Look for Social Work Scholarships
It takes time and effort to find social work scholarships, but it can be easier if you have some go-to places to look. Start with social work organizations such as the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Foundation and the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), which both offer scholarships, fellowships, and other funding opportunities for social work students.
You can also search for scholarship opportunities through:
CareerOneStop's scholarship finder
College and university financial aid offices
Academic advisors and financial aid counselors
State social work associations
Social work faculty and field education coordinators
Employer tuition assistance and scholarship programs
State child welfare agencies
Community foundations and local nonprofit organizations
Common Requirements for Social Work Scholarships
To qualify for social work scholarships, you typically need to meet certain eligibility criteria. While requirements vary, many scholarships require a minimum GPA of 3.0 and enrollment in an undergraduate or graduate social work program.
Some scholarships have additional qualifications, such as belonging to an underrepresented group or being a CSWE or NASW student member.
Typical Eligibility Requirements
Hold a minimum 3.0 GPA
Be an undergraduate or graduate student pursuing a degree in social work
Be a member of the student chapter of the CSWE or the NASW Foundation
Belong to an ethnic minority group
Part-time or full-time enrollment in a CSWE-accredited program
Standard Submission Requirements
College transcripts
Resume or CV
Letters of recommendation
Essay or personal statement
History of volunteer work, internships, or clinical hours
How Social Work and MSW Scholarships Differ from Other Aid
Social work and MSW scholarships are awarded based on criteria such as financial need, academic merit, focus areas, or a commitment to serving underserved populations. They're one of several ways to pay for a degree, alongside loans, work-study programs, fellowships, and grants.
Federal Loans
Federal student loans are a form of financial aid provided by the government to cover the cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, and living expenses. These loans typically offer fixed interest rates, flexible repayment options, income-driven repayment plans, and borrower protections. Students are eligible to receive them by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Work-Study
Work-study is a need-based financial aid program that lets students earn money through part-time jobs while attending college. It can help reduce borrowing by covering expenses without needing to take out additional student loans. Work-study programs typically have flexible schedules designed to fit around classes.
Grants
Grants are free money for college that usually does not need to be repaid. They are typically awarded based on financial need and may come from federal and state governments, colleges, or private organizations.
Completing the FAFSA is the primary way to qualify for most grants, though some states offer separate applications for students who are not eligible for federal aid.
Fellowships
Fellowships are competitive, merit-based programs that provide funding, training, mentorship, and professional development. Typically designed for graduate students, fellowships support research, leadership, public service, internships, or graduate study.
Fellowships often require you to complete a project, research, or other structured work, and provide stipends, grants, or living-expense support in addition to educational funding.
Private Loans
Private student loans can help cover education costs after scholarships, grants, and federal loans have been exhausted. Because approval is based on credit, many students need a cosigner to qualify.
Interest begins accruing as soon as the funds are disbursed by lenders, which include banks, credit unions, and online lenders. In most cases, federal student loans are the better first option because they offer stronger borrower protections.
