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Top Social Work Scholarships in 2022
Social work is a rewarding and ever growing field! According to the US Department of Labor, the need for social workers will increase by 13 percent by 2029, which is much greater than most other occupations. A social work major has a number of career paths, including working in city/state agencies, school settings, substance abuse counseling, and geriatric settings. If you earn a master’s degree in social work, you can also become a licensed counselor. No matter what path you take, social work scholarships will help fund your education.
Related: Social work major overview
Jump ahead to:
- Top social work scholarships to apply for in 2022
- Financial aid for social work students
- Frequently asked questions about social work scholarships
- Upcoming scholarships
- Explore these scholarship categories
Keep on reading to learn more about social work scholarships, as well as financial aid opportunities for students pursuing a degree in the subject!
Top social work scholarships to apply for in 2022:
Senior Planning Social Work & Eldercare Award
- Eligibility: US citizens and permanent residents who are high school seniors or undergraduates with less than 90 credit hours
- Amount: $900 (between one and five annual awards shall be made)
- Deadline: July 31st for Fall applications or December 15th for Spring applications
Melanie Foundation Scholarship
- Eligibility: Open to students pursuing a doctoral/master’s degree in the field of mental health field, including social work
- Amount: $2,500
- Deadline: March 5th of each year
National Association of Social Workers
- Eligibility: The Foundation offers two master’s level scholarships, the Consuelo W. Gosnell Memorial Scholarship and the Verne LaMarr Lyons Memorial Scholarship. NASW membership ($60.00) is required
- Amount: $4,000 to $5,500 (18 in total awarded)
- Deadline: March 11, 2022
SeniorCare.com Aging Matters Scholarship
- Eligibility: Open to students that currently care for an aging loved one, work within the senior community, or intend to pursue a career that will have an impact on the elder population
- Amount: $1,500
- Deadline: May 15, 2022
Michael Moody Fitness Scholarship
- Eligibility: Current high school senior, undergraduate, or graduate students who plan to enroll full-time in an accredited two-year or four-year college or university in the United States. This scholarship is open to students pursuing careers in health, wellness, or fitness.
- Amount: $1,500
- Deadline: August 1, 2022
Financial aid for social work students
If you are a social work student, the scholarships search is just one way to pay for your degree! Current and prospective social work students can also access need-based financial aid, which includes grants like the FSEOG Grant and Pell Grant, federal student loans, and work study.
To access any of these types of need-based financial aid, students will need to actually apply for need-based aid. There are two major applications that you should know about:
Every college’s financial aid process will vary and we always recommend that students consult with the college in question for details and deadlines.
Frequently asked questions about social work scholarships
Can I use psychology scholarships to study social work?
Some psychology scholarships, such as the NAJA scholarship, also allow students pursuing social work. Although the two are separate fields, they share some key similarities and oftentimes, you will find that organizations geared towards psychology will also be concerned with social work. But as always, you should read the terms and conditions of each scholarship carefully before applying.
Does social work pay well?
This is an important question to consider when deciding how much you can afford to take out in student loans. According to the 2020 BLS data, social workers have a median salary of $51,760 per year.
This is on the lower end of the spectrum as far as college-educated salaries go. So, if you are interested in becoming a social worker, you should be sure to budget very thoughtfully to ensure that you don’t take out more in debt than you can afford to pay back.
How many years of school do you need to be a social worker?
In most states, you’ll have to complete your bachelor’s degree, and then complete a two-year masters program to become a licensed social worker. You may also have to perform up to two years of supervised work before you obtain a license to work unsupervised. If you know that you want to be a social worker before you start your undergrad, you might be able to bring this down to four total years, by obtaining a Bachelor’s in Social Work, or BSW.
Are there social work scholarships for graduate students?
Yes! Many of the scholarships on this list are meant for students getting their masters in social work. We also have a dedicated list of scholarships for graduate students, and a free tool to custom-match you with vetted scholarships. This is a great tool to use for any stage of your education.
Upcoming social work scholarships
ARC Scholarships
- Eligibility: A variety of scholarships open to students pursuing degrees in special education, physical or occupational therapy, or a field related to intellectual or other developmental disabilities
- Amount: $3,000
Latino Social Work Coalition and Scholarship Fund
- Eligibility: The LSWCSF program provides scholarships to Latinx men and women in the New York metropolitan area. Applicants must have financial need and been accepted or are enrolled in a master’s level program at one of the universities listed on the website
- Amount: $1,000 to $2,500
