22 Social Work Scholarships and Fellowships

Social workers play a growing, vital role in improving communities and the lives of others. These practitioners are one of the leading providers of mental healthcare across the United States, with jobs in social work expected to grow by more than 7.4% through 2032. If your goal is to work in this in-demand field, your first step is getting the right education. Some entry-level jobs require only a bachelor’s, though most clinical positions require a master’s degree for licensing.
With the average cost of college on the rise, many aspiring social workers are looking for options beyond student loans to help them pay for their education. Thankfully, there are many types of additional funding designed for social work students and others going into service-oriented fields. We’ve gathered together a list of scholarships and fellowships to help you start your search, and there are many others to be found through local institutions, state associations, and more.
Undergraduate Social Work Scholarships
Regardless of your career goals in social work, you’ll first need to earn a bachelor’s degree. This can prepare you for entry-level roles such as a mental health assistant or case management aide, though most aspiring social workers go on to earn their master’s degree.
Scholarship Name
Amount
Deadline
Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund
$15,000
April 1
National Institutes of Health Undergraduate Scholarships
$20,000
Mid-March
Phi Alpha Honor Society Patty Gibbs-Wahlberg Scholarships
$1,000, $2,000, $3000
May 31
Pilot International Scholarships
$1,500
March 15
Graduate Scholarships, Grants, and Fellowships
Having your master’s or doctorate in social work can greatly broaden your career path and increase your earning potential, but it also comes with the added cost of at least two more years of education beyond your bachelor’s degree. Thankfully, those pursuing these degrees could have even more chances to fund their schooling, including opportunities for fellowships and grants.
Scholarship Name
Amount
Deadline
Eileen Blackey Fellowship
$4,500–$6,500
January–March
HEALS Fellowships
$17,900
January–March
Jane B. Aron Doctoral Fellowship
$17,900
January–March
Phi Alpha Honor Society MSW Scholarships
$3,000, $2,000 and $1,000
May 31
Pi Gamma Mu Honor Society Scholarships
$1,000–$2,000
Mid-February
Scholarships & Fellowships by Area of Specialty
In addition to scholarships for general master’s and doctorate studies, several organizations offer funds to focus in a specific subfield of social work. From elderly care to addiction, an array of additional funding is available through these groups.
Scholarship Name
Amount
Deadline
A Place for Mom Senior Wisdom Scholarship
$2,000
May 1
American Addiction Centers Academic Scholarship
$2,500–$5,000
May 30
American Cancer Society Training Grants
$12,000–$20,000
October 15
National Association of Junior Auxiliaries Graduate Scholarships
$500–$9,000
February 1
NASW Consuelo W. Gosnell Memorial Scholarships
$4,000
January through early March
NASW Verne LaMarr Lyons Scholarships
$5,000
January through early March
National Institute of Justice Graduate Research Fellowship
$150,000
Early April
Scholarships & Fellowships for Minority Students
Scholarships designed for minority students not only support educational opportunities for underrepresented students, but they help bring greater diversity to the field and thereby increase the impact social work can have as a whole. Some scholarships are open to all minorities, while others are intended to provide funding for a particular group.
Scholarship Name
Amount
Deadline
Council on Social Work Education Carl A. Scott Memorial Fund
$500
Late August
Council on Social Work Education Minority Fellowship
$2,000–$6,500
January–Spring
HRSA Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship
Tuition plus stipend for up to 4 years
March 1
Indian Health Service Scholarships
Tuition plus stipend for a year
March 28
National Association of Puerto Rican Hispanic Social Workers Scholarships
Varies
Early February
Pride Foundation Social Work Scholarship
Varies
Early February
Other Financial Resources
Beyond scholarships and fellowships, there are other financial options that can alleviate the cost of education by helping you repay or forgive your student loans.