Social Work Scholarship Opportunities

Child Welfare Education for Baccalaureates (CWEB)

Persons admitted to the CWEB program for full-time study may be eligible to receive full tuition and fees at the in-state rate for their senior year , a fellowship, and a book allowance. (Out-of-state students enrolled in Pennsylvania state or state-related universities will receive tuition at the Pennsylvania resident level only.)

The Child Welfare Education for Baccalaureates (CWEB) program is a cooperative effort among the United States Administration for Children and Families, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, and fifteen undergraduate social work degree programs in Pennsylvania accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. For additional information speak with your advisor or visit: Child Welfare Education for Baccalaureates.

Child Welfare Education for Leadership (CWEL)

The Child Welfare Education for Leadership (CWEL) program is a cooperative effort among the United States Administration for Children and Families, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, the Pennsylvania Child and Youth Administrators and twelve accredited schools of social work in Pennsylvania. Its goal is to strengthen public child welfare services in Pennsylvania by providing educational opportunities at the graduate level for public child welfare personnel. Qualified persons who are admitted to any of the approved schools on either a full- or part-time basis may receive substantial financial support in return for a contractual obligation to continue employment with the sponsoring agency following their studies.  For additional information speak with your advisor or visit Child Welfare Education for Leadership (CWEL) program FAQs

The Julia Nattle ‘19’ 20 Striving for Excellence Direct Scholarship

Established by a KU social work alumna Julia Nattle to provide recognition and financial assistance to outstanding undergraduate students enrolled at Kutztown University. 

One scholarship in the amount of $ 500.00 will be given to a selected student in the Fall and Spring semesters. Students can receive this scholarship only once.  

 Criteria 

  • Bachelor of Social Work major in the senior year 
  • 3.25 GPA (preferred) 
  • Student in the field (preferred) 
  • Submission of a brief essay, covering the following: 
    • What inspired you to choose Social Work as a career?  
    • What has been your favorite/ more insightful social work class you’ve taken so far? How/ Why?  
    • How will these funds help you this semester?  
    • Any information on why you feel you would be a good candidate for this scholarship. 
    • Current Extracurricular activities (if applicable)  
Social Work Prize: Celebrating Diversity 

A cash prize is awarded yearly to the social work major (or group of majors, up to 4 in a group) who can best express what celebrating diversity means in their personal experience.  This creative project may take any form, such as a poem, video, drawing, collage, essay, photograph, or work of fiction. Performance art such as dance or music may be submitted by arrangement.  Up two prizes (one for BSW and one for MSW) are usually awarded in the spring semester.

Graduate Assistantships

Various departments at Kutztown University offer Graduate Assistantships, including the Department of Social Work. For information on Department of Social Work Graduate Assistantships, please contact the Department of Social Work. For information on assistantships available on campus visit the Graduate Assistantship page.

Undergraduate Research Grants

The Kutztown University Undergraduate Research Fund (available through the Office of Grants and Sponsored Projects) provides funding for students to conduct research and present their findings at academic conferences. Funding is divided into two categories, based on project disciplines (Sciences, and Arts and Humanities).  For more information visit: Undergraduate Research Fund.

Graduate Research Grants

The Kutztown University graduate research fund (available through the Office of Grants and Sponsored Projects) was created to encourage and support graduate students as they undertake research and creative projects, present papers at professional meetings, and need research materials or other resources. For more information visit: Graduate Research Fund.

PROFS SCHOLARSHIP FUND

PROVIDING RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR FUTURE STANDOUTS

Kutztown University has partnered with ChildPromise, Inc. to present a one-of-a-kind support program for students who are current or former members of the foster care system. To show dedication to successful students in foster care, PROFS provides college access programs, such as college prep and financial knowledge workshops, for high school students and connects Kutztown University students to the campus resources that will help them succeed.

Students who complete the PROFS program are eligible to receive a $500 scholarship award and free housing at the end of each semester.  For more information visit the PROF Program webpage.  

mILITARY VETERANS BENEFITS

Kutztown University has various services and programs to assist current military personnel and veterans.  Various scholarships are also available.  For more information, visit: https://www.kutztown.edu/about-ku/administrative-offices/military-and-veterans-services/scholarships-aid-and-resources.html 

EMPLOYER REIMBURSEMENT DEFERMENTS

Students who are entitled to reimbursement of tuition from employers may request an Employer Reimbursement Deferment (ERD).  For more information please visit: https://www.kutztown.edu/affordability/bills-and-paying-your-tuition/employer-reimbursement-deferments.html 

Additional Resources

There are national and local scholarships available for social work students. Below are a few websites that may help in identifying scholarship opportunities:

National Association of Social Workers Foundation
  • Verne LaMarr Lyons Scholarship

    "The Verne LaMarr Lyons Memorial Scholarship is awarded to master's degree candidates in social work who demonstrate an interest in or has experience with health/mental health practice and have a commitment to working in African American communities. Previous recipients now work in hospitals, medical clinics, and social services agencies that provide treatment and specialized services to African American patients." (National Association of Social Workers Foundation, 2020)

  • Consuelo W. Gosnell Memorial Scholarship

    "The Consuelo W. Gosnell Memorial Scholarship is awarded to master's degree candidates in social work who have demonstrated a commitment to working with, or who have a special affinity with, American Indian/Alaska Native and Hispanic/Latino populations. Candidates who have demonstrated a commitment to working with public or voluntary nonprofit agencies or with local grassroots groups in the United States are also eligible." (National Association of Social Workers Foundation, 2020)

  • Social Work HEALS

    "With a generous 2014 grant award from the New York Community Trust Robert and Ellen Popper Scholarship Fund, the NASW Foundation is pleased to administer Social Work HEALS - Social Work Healthcare Education and Leadership Scholars - a collaborative endeavor with the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The grant objective is to strengthen delivery of health care services in the United States by advancing education and training of health care social workers."  (National Association of Social Workers Foundation, 2020)

  • Jane B. Aron Doctoral Fellowship

    "The Jane Baerwald Aron Doctoral Fellowship provides partial support to social work doctoral candidates who are engaged in dissertation research in health care policy and practice. The fellowship program was established in 1987 as a tribute to Aron, who was a leader in health care policy and education."  (National Association of Social Workers Foundation, 2020)

  • Eileen Blackey Doctoral Fellowship

    "The Eileen Blackey Doctoral Fellowship provides partial support to social work doctoral candidates who are engaged in dissertation research in welfare policy and practice. The fellowship program was established in 1987 as a tribute to Dr. Eileen Blackey, who was the Dean of the University of California-Los Angeles School of Social Welfare and a pioneer in the planning and use of staff development programs in public welfare agencies and in the U.S. Veterans Administration."  (National Association of Social Workers Foundation, 2020)

Council on Social Work Education

Provides a listing of scholarships, contests, awards, fellowships and grants available to social work students. 

National Association of Black Social Workers

Undergraduate, Graduate, or Doctoral level students who are members of the NABSW are eligible to apply for scholarships.

Explore More

EMPLOYER REIMBURSEMENT DEFERMENTS Guide to Financial Aid
Current Campaign -  Sustainable lending library 

The Department of Social Work has developed Sustainable Textbook Lending Library that facilitates access to educational materials/resources throughout bachelor of social work students’ educational career.  The library operates through the department and provides a lending service of essential educational materials to our students. 

Why?

  • Students consistently rely on textbooks available through limited physical reserves at the library.
  • Lack of access to all required textbooks and other educational resources has been found to significantly decrease academic performance (McKenzie,2017).
  • Many students struggle to afford textbooks and other educational materials due to basic need insecurity and affordability issues. (Whitford, 2018).

Click Below to Donate

SUSTAINABLE LENDING LIBRARY FUND

References:

  • https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2018/07/26/students-sacrifice-meals-and-trips-home-pay-textbooks 
  • https://www.insidehighered.com/quicktakes/2017/09/20/study-high-textbook-prices-lead-poor-grades