External Scholarships

The Provider Agency Scholarship Program is a partnership between New York City’s Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) and its provider agencies. This opportunity provides tuition support and continuous professional development opportunities to provider agency employees who are committed to working in New York City’s child welfare and juvenile justice systems.

Under the waiver, NYS will implement Career Pathways Training ($645.8 million): Training and education programs for social workers, community health workers, and other allied health professionals who make a three-year commitment to serve providers who work with a high-need Medicaid/uninsured population.

The Carl A. Scott Memorial Fund was established by the CSWE Board of Directors in recognition of Carl A. Scott's contributions to CSWE and the social work profession. The component of the Fund includes an annual lecture series given at the Annual Program Meeting, a publication program, and scholarship assistance. Two scholarships in the amount of $500 each are awarded to students who have demonstrated a commitment to work for equity and social justice in social work.

Applicants who work for City Year will be granted a $17,000 total tuition scholarship for MSW On-Campus/Live Virtual Classroom study at Wurzweiler School of Social Work. To qualify, please check off the question "Are you a City Year employee or a City Year corps member/alum?" on the application. You must also email City Year at alumni@cityyear.org for a service verification letter. You can upload this letter into the "Additional Information" supplemental items section of the application. 

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. 

View various listed scholarship and fellowship opportunities offered through the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the accrediting body for schools of social work. 

The Davis-Putt Scholarship Fund provides grants to students actively working for social and economic justice. These need-based scholarships are awarded to students at the college level who are enrolled in a trade or technical program and who are active in the struggle against racism, sexism, homophobia, and other forms of oppression. Applicants must have participated in activities in the U.S. The maximum grant amount available is $15,000 per year.

Open to students enrolled in any mental health program, including social work. Applicants must be committed to making a difference in the field of mental health and demonstrate a passion for improving the lives of others. The scholarship requires submission of content in the form of an essay, video artwork or other creative medium that communicates the applicant's story/vision. The award amount is $2,000. 

Wurzweiler School of Social Work is pleased to announce a limited number of scholarships available for students who have professional interests in working with individuals and families who are addressing issues related to aging or palliative (serious) illness care.  We will be selecting 6 full-time students to receive a $5,000 scholarship during the Spring 2025 term.  This scholarship is guaranteed for one semester, but may be available for up to two semesters, depending upon the availability of funding, and the scholarship student’s academic standing and practicum placement.  Students who have received one (1) award in 2024 are eligible to reapply for a second award.

Requirements: To be eligible for this award, students must participate in a one-year practicum placement in aging or palliative care during the period of the award.  In addition, students must work toward completing the course requirements of the Certificate in Gerontology and Palliative Care and maintain a B average.

To Apply:  If you are interested and meet the requirements, please apply by completing and submitting a 300-500 word essay that explains your interest and commitment to working in aging and/or palliative (serious) illness care. Your application and essay should be submitted as a single Word document (please do not send a PDF) to to Dr. Gary Stein at: GLStein@yu.edu. 

Applications are due by Monday, January 13th, 2025 at midnight.  Late applications will not be considered.

The Hebrew Free Loan Society administers three scholarship programs for the UJA-Federation of New York. This program provides approximately $1 million to students with financial need, primarily in New York City, Long Island, or Westchester.

The Board of Directors of the Helen Rehr Center for Social Work Practice, Inc. has established this scholarship of $5,000 to be awarded to a second year MSW graduate student seeking a practicum and subsequent career in health care. The scholarship addresses the urgent need for professional social workers in health care, a crisis exacerbated by the recent pandemic.

The Dr. James R. Dumpson Scholarship program provides financial support to current ACS full-time employees who have demonstrated a commitment to a career in chid and family services and who are motivated to become leaders in our field. 

This program is geared towards 2nd or 3rd year MSW Latino/a/x students in the NYC area. Social work students with a passion for working in low-income and underserved communities are encouraged to apply. This program is designed to provide financial scholarships as well as guide recipients towards their professional goals and provide networking opportunities. 

CSWE’s Minority Fellowship Program (MFP) opportunities support the mission of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to reduce the effects of substance abuse and mental illness on America’s communities by increasing the number of individuals trained to work with underrepresented and underserved racial/ethnic minority persons with or at risk for mental health and/or substance abuse disorders.

The NY Community Trust Political Justice Fellowship offers eligible students up to $5,000 total in stipends to attend the Campaign Schools for Social Workers, advocate in Albany, and travel to Washington, D.C. This opportunity is open to current Wurzweiler MSW students who are pursuing the Advanced Community Practice track. For more information about the fellowship, please contact Dr. Shannon Lane at shannon.lane@yu.edu.

The NYS OMH – Schools of Social Work Project is a partnership between OMH and Schools/Departments of Social Work in New York. Students receive training and education in recovery oriented, evidence-based practices for adults diagnosed with Serious Mental Illness (SMI). The primary goal of the Project is to prepare masters level social work (MSW) students entering a changing mental health service system.

The Marks Endowment Scholarship provides awards up to $5,000 for individuals who are committed to the L.A. Jewish community through demonstration of prior involvement or a planned future commitment. Applicants will need to be current Los Angeles residents who plan to return to the area after schooling. 

The ONNSFA award was established to provide financial assistance in the form of grant awards to eligible Navajo students seeking graduate level degrees. Full-time graduates or post-graduates must earn nine or more semester credit hours with a term grade point average of 3.00 or higher.

Pi Gamma Mu members are considered for scholarships which are intended for the first or second year of graduate work in a student’s first graduate degree in various areas of study including social work.  Applicants must submit a personal statement, resume, three or more letters of recommendation, and official transcripts from institutions attended.

If you’re a student considering a career in eldercare or gerontology, there are numerous scholarships available to support your educational journey. These scholarships aim to recognize and empower individuals passionate about improving the lives of older adults through various fields involved with senior care.

Social Work License Map has compiled a list of external scholarships to fund social work degrees.

SocialWork.Org provides current resources for students and professionals in the field. Explore their various external scholarships. 

The fellowships honor and support the graduate education of New Americans: born in the US or board abroad under one of the following: naturalized citizen status, adoptions, possessing a valid green card, having been granted asylum or refugee status in the U.S. Applicants must be pursuing a full-time graduate degree in the U.S.

The Samuel Lemberg Scholarship Loan Fund provides interest-free undergraduate and graduate college students who exhibit exceptional academic achievement and face financial difficulties pursuing higher education. The loans must be repaid within ten years of graduation or termination of studies.

The U.S. Department of Labor provides free sources of information about scholarships.  

The 1199SEIU Training and Employment Funds (TEF) provide services to eligible 1199SEIU members through training and education (classes, workshops, programs, and assistance for healthcare workers seeking to advance their careers.).

This fellowship provides funding for students who are pursuing careers within the Jewish nonprofit world. In addition, scholarships are also available for students specifically pursuing a career with UJA-Federation of New York. Applicants must study in the New York area for the next two years, be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and attend or plan on attending school in the upcoming academic year.