Social Work Scholarships

Social workers provide valuable help and support for vulnerable people. They often work with victims of domestic violence and homeless people as well as children and the elderly. Hospitals even hire social workers to help patients find the resources they need once they go home. Social work scholarships give current and incoming students financial help to pay for both college and grad school.

While it’s possible to get a job in this field with just an undergraduate degree, some of the higher positions require a Master of Social Work. This type of degree includes a practicum where you spend some time working in an organization or agency to gain practical experience. Social work scholarships often help students cover their living expenses while they work full-time. Learn more about the top social work scholarships that are open to students at all levels along with the due date and how to apply.

Top Social Work Scholarships

Alice M. Yarnold and Samuel Yarnold Scholarship Trust
Amount: Up to $5,000
Due Date: May 20
Who Can Apply: New Hampshire grad students
Do You Need a Specific Major: Yes, social work, medicine, or nursing

This scholarship program provides several worthy students with $1,000 to $5,000 every year. The program is only open to New Hampshire residents already enrolled in a graduate program who plan to work there.

Jane Beers School of Social Work Scholarship
Amount: $1,500
Due Date: February 10
Who Can Apply: San Diego State University students
Do You Need a Specific Major: Yes, social work

The Jane Beers School of Social Work scholarship is open to current and future SDSU students. Applicants must already be enrolled when they apply and write an essay as part of the process.

Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund
Amount: $15,000
Due Date: April 1
Who Can Apply: All students
Do You Need a Specific Major: No

The Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund looks for students committed to fostering change in the world. Students need to demonstrate their practical experience and write a detailed essay when they apply.

Caren Kaplan Endowed Scholarship Fund
Amount: $10,000
Due Date: April 15
Who Can Apply: University of Michigan students
Do You Need a Specific Major: Yes, social work

Students in a social work program at the University of Michigan can apply for these funds. The university gives priority to students who already have some experience and those who plan to live and work in Michigan.

National Institutes of Health Undergraduate Scholarships
Amount: $20,000
Due Date: March 15
Who Can Apply: Undergrads
Do You Need a Specific Major: Yes, health care or health services

These scholarships go to students with a passion for health and well-being, including social work majors. Undergrads must supply the FAFSA to show their financial need and have a GPA of 3.3 or higher.

Consuelo M. Gosnell Memorial Scholarship
Amount: Up to $4,000
Due Date: March 3
Who Can Apply: NASW grad school members
Do You Need a Specific Major: Yes, social work

The NASW launched this scholarship program in honor of a civil rights activist. Up to 10 students receive up to $4,000 annually. Applicants must have a 3.0 GPA or higher and be in an accredited MSW program or plan to start one.

AbleLight Scholarships
Amount: $3,000
Due Date: May 12
Who Can Apply: Lutheran students
Do You Need a Specific Major: Yes, public service

AbleLight and the Bethesda Auxiliary provide scholarships for students who plan to use their faith and work in public service. It’s only open to college seniors and seminary students who belong to a Lutheran Church.

Council on Social Work Education Scholarships
Amount: Varies
Due Date: Varies
Who Can Apply: Students in CSWE-accredited degree programs
Do You Need a Specific Major: Yes, social work

CSWE is the organization responsible for accrediting college degree programs. It hands out multiple scholarships that include some full tuition options for those enrolled in an accredited school.

Dr. Alma S. Adams Scholarship
Amount: $5,000
Due Date: Varies
Who Can Apply: Undergrad and graduate students
Do You Need a Specific Major: Yes, social work

The American Legacy Foundation awards two $5,000 scholarships through this program. Students need to show the experience they have working in a disadvantaged community with an emphasis on smoking cessation.

Elizabeth J. Davis Scholarship
Amount: Up to $3,000
Due Date: Varies
Who Can Apply: Vermont residents
Do You Need a Specific Major: Yes, health care

Students enrolled in health care degree programs that include medical social work can apply for this scholarship. They need to write an essay to outline their future goals and be a permanent resident of Vermont.

Ima Hogg Scholarships
Amount: Varies
Due Date: Varies
Who Can Apply: Grad students enrolled in a Texas MSW program
Do You Need a Specific Major: Yes, MSW

Available through the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health, these scholarships go to students who live and work in Texas. It honors future professionals who will provide mental health resources to patients in different parts of the state.

Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta Scholarships
Amount: $2,500
Due Date: Varies
Who Can Apply: Georgia
Do You Need a Specific Major: Yes, medicine or social work

The Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta hands out several scholarships every year to Georgia residents. Students must show their commitment to improving the state once they finish college.

James F. Reville Scholarship
Amount: $3,000
Due Date: Varies
Who Can Apply: Students in New York programs
Do You Need a Specific Major: Yes, social work and similar fields

New York university and college students can apply for this scholarship as long as their goals include working with disabled people later. They get $1,500 at the beginning of the two main semesters.

International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies Scholarships
Amount: $5,000
Due Date: Varies
Who Can Apply: Undergrad and graduate students
Do You Need a Specific Major: Yes, social work or a similar field

ITTSS awards $5,000 scholarships to interdisciplinary majors who want to work with people who survived traumatic events. It includes an essay component where applicants write about what they plan to do with their degrees.

Phi Gamma Mu Scholarships
Amount: $2,000
Due Date: February 15
Who Can Apply: High school students and undergrads
Do You Need a Specific Major: Yes, social sciences

Phi Gamma Mu welcomes students with good grades in social science degree programs. Only members of the honor society can apply for its scholarships, which go to several worthy applicants annually.

American Indian Graduate Center Scholarships
Amount: Varies
Due Date: Varies
Who Can Apply: American Indian students
Do You Need a Specific Major: No

The American Indian Graduate Center offers social work scholarships and scholarships for other majors. Applicants must be full-time students and demonstrate their commitment to their studies. The program is only open to American Indian students.

Maryland Higher Education Commission Graduate and Professional Scholarship Program
Amount: Up to $5,000
Due Date: Varies
Who Can Apply: Maryland residents
Do You Need a Specific Major: Yes, social work or another professional field

This scholarship is only open to Maryland residents enrolled in social work and other professional programs. Applicants must complete the FAFSA and supply a copy to show their financial need.

Jewish Community Centers of North America Graduate Scholarship
Amount: $5,000
Due Date: Varies
Who Can Apply: Jewish graduate and post-graduate students
Do You Need a Specific Major: Yes, professional studies

To help Jewish students pay for graduate school and professional training programs, this organization designed a scholarship program. Students may need to show they have professional or practical experience.

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Scholarships
Amount: Up to $5,000
Due Date: May 1
Who Can Apply: Omega Psi Phi Fraternity members
Do You Need a Specific Major: No

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity expanded from Howard University to other campuses since it started. Members can now apply for scholarships as long as they’re in an accredited program and plan to help the community later.

NYU Silver School Scholarships
Amount: Up to $15,000
Due Date: Varies
Who Can Apply: Current and incoming Silver School students
Do You Need a Specific Major: Yes, social work

More than 90% of the students at the New York University Silver School receive at least one scholarship. Students need to apply every year and can apply if they received an acceptance letter but haven’t yet started.

National Italian American Foundation Scholarships
Amount: Varies
Due Date: Varies
Who Can Apply: Italian American students
Do You Need a Specific Major: No

Open to all majors, the National Italian American Foundation offers several scholarship programs to undergrad and graduate students with a GPA of 3.5 or higher. Applicants may need to show they live in a specific state, too.

The Melanie Foundation Programs
Amount: $2,500
Due Date: Varies
Who Can Apply: Graduate and doctoral students
Do You Need a Specific Major: Yes, psychology, social work, or a related field

Several students receive $2,500 scholarships from The Melanie Foundation to pay for their doctoral or graduate program costs. Only those enrolled in accredited programs can apply for one of the awards.

Pride Foundation Scholarships
Amount: Varies
Due Date: January 6
Who Can Apply: LGBTQ+ students
Do You Need a Specific Major: No

The Pride Foundation offers a variety of scholarships for LGBTQ+ students who want to help others. While some programs have a residency requirement, they all ask for proof the applicant is in an accredited program.

Verne LaMarr Lyons Memorial Scholarship
Amount: $4,333
Due Date: March 8
Who Can Apply: Graduate students
Do You Need a Specific Major: Yes, social work

Verne LaMarr Lyons was an important member of the NASW and now has a scholarship named after him. The organization gives priority to students with experience in medical social work and those who plan to work in this field.

Jane Baerwald Aron Doctoral Fellowship
Amount: $6,000
Due Date: March 8
Who Can Apply: Doctoral students
Do You Need a Specific Major: Yes, social work

Also available from the NASW, this scholarship gives students funds to attend its annual conference and other funds for college. Only those already enrolled in an accredited doctoral degree program can apply.

The National Association of Junior Auxillares
Amount: Varies
Due Date: February 1
Who Can Apply: Graduate students
Do You Need a Specific Major: Yes, social science

The NAJA launched its scholarship program in 1962 to help students with an interest in social science. Applicants can apply as long as they’re in a graduate program such as social work, psychology, or criminology.

Phi Alpha Honors Society Scholarships
Amount: Varies
Due Date: Varies
Who Can Apply: Phi Alpha members
Do You Need a Specific Major: No

Members of the national honors society can apply for scholarships worth up to $1,500 and even more. Some of the programs require applicants to apply with permission from their local college or university chapter.

National Association of Black Social Workers Scholarships
Amount: $2,500
Due Date: March 3
Who Can Apply: Residents of select states
Do You Need a Specific Major: Yes, social work

Students who live in one of the southern states with a junior auxiliary chapter of this organization can apply for one of its scholarships. They must also be in a social work program and plan to work with children.

American School Health Association Scholarships
Amount: $1,000
Due Date: Varies
Who Can Apply: All students
Do You Need a Specific Major: Yes, health care or health services

Future medical social workers qualify for one of these scholarships. They need to show proof their career goals involve working with children and that they’re in an accredited program.

Point Foundation Scholarship
Amount: Full tuition
Due Date: December 21
Who Can Apply: LGBTQ+ students
Do You Need a Specific Major: No

The Point Foundation offers full-tuition scholarships for students who belong to the LGBTQ+ community. Not only do they get their total tuition costs covered, but they can renew the scholarship for up to four years of coverage.