Social workers can make a world of difference. They advocate for clients to obtain food and shelter, help children cope with difficulties in school and develop programs to improve the daily lives of mental health patients.
Not only do social workers help individuals and families with educational, occupational and health needs, but their job outlook is better than many fields, too. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates a 27 percent job increase within the next decade for health care social workers, which it notes is “much faster than the average” growth across all occupations.
[ Look to professional associations to find scholarships in your major.]
If building relationships and helping people are important to you, then studying social work is the perfect avenue to a career in the field. And because of the wide range of jobs for social workers, there are lots of different types of scholarships available for undergrad and grad students.
If you plan to go into clinical work, a Master of Social Work degree is required to become licensed in most states. Consequently, you’re likely to see more graduate-level social work scholarships and grants than in other fields.
The Consuelo W. Gosnell Memorial Scholarship, for example, offers up to 10 awards of $4,000 to master’s students who are committed to working with American Indian, Alaska Native and Hispanic and Latino populations. The scholarship is offered by the National Association of Social Workers, the pre-eminent professional association for social workers in the U.S.
[Take advantage of scholarships from big corporations and foundations.]
Membership is required to apply, and applicants need to have a GPA of 3.0 or above. Although this year’s recipients have already been chosen, it’s worth checking back for an updated application page.
In addition to associations, honor societies are another prime place to look for social work scholarships. Phi Alpha, an honor society specifically for social work students, offers scholarships for chapter members across the nation.
Students are eligible for membership once they reach sophomore status if they meet the academic requirements of the society. In return, there are opportunities to apply for a number of scholarships, travel grants and community service awards.
If you already know that you’re interested in serving a particular community or need, take a look at organizations that tackle a specific cause. Many agencies employ social workers, and they may also provide scholarship money.
[Get additional tips and information on paying for college.]
Legacy, a public health foundation that advocates for tobacco use prevention and cessation, is one such organization. The foundation’s Dr. Alma S. Adams Scholarship rewards creative solutions to tobacco prevention or control. Two $5,000 scholarships are available for undergraduate or graduate studies.
Applicants should have proven community service experience related to tobacco use in an underserved community, such as activism, outreach or peer counseling. Social work majors who have financial need and at least a 3.0 GPA are eligible to apply.
To demonstrate the work you’ve done in your community, the application requires a personal statement, along with an original piece that conveys a message about the harmful effects of commercial tobacco and two letters of recommendation. Look for a new application this winter, as last year’s program opened in January.
Finally, students should look into scholarships available from the Council on Social Work Education. The council’s earliest award is for students in their last year of school at either the bachelor’s or master’s degree level.
Since CSWE is the only higher education accreditation agency for social work education in the U.S., it’s also worth taking advantage of the publications and industry information available on their website. As you start your career helping others, it’s good to know that there are others helping you.
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Support an Education With Scholarships for Social Workers originally appeared on usnews.com
