Earning a Master’s in Social Work (MSW) can be life-changing. In California, an MSW can broaden your career horizons, sharpen your skills, and put you on the path to becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with your own private practice. But if you’re like millions of other graduate students in the US, earning an advanced degree likely means tightening your budget. In today’s economy, that’s easier said than done.
However, as a California social work student, you have a whole world of MSW scholarships and grants to help. Before you start writing essays and filling out paperwork, learn how they work, how to apply, and what types of funding MSW students often qualify for.
Differences Between Scholarships and Grants
Unlike loans, scholarships and grants don’t typically have to be paid back. Outside of that, though, these two types of funding are pretty different.
First, scholarships are often merit-based. This means they’re awarded based on things like GPA, extracurriculars, or other performance-based criteria. On the other hand, grants are usually awarded based on financial need.
Second, grants typically come from the state or federal government. However, some colleges and private organizations have their own grant programs. MSW scholarships can come from any number of organizations.
Finally, grants can be paid to students directly, to the school they’re attending, or both. This is because grants can generally be used for anything related to your education (including housing and supplies). While this can also be true for scholarships, the organizations that offer them can dictate their own terms.
Scholarships
With about 690,000 professionals employed nationwide (and more than 85,000 employed in California alone), social workers have built a massive, influential workforce. But members of the social service community aren’t just dedicated to empowering others. They’re committed to improving their own field and bringing new talent into the fold.
For that reason, plenty of social service organizations and employers offer BSW and MSW scholarships:
- Professional Organizations. This includes national organizations like the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). California also has its own chapter of the NASW as well as other state-based organizations that strive to make social work education more accessible.
- Local Charity and Service Agencies. Some homeless outreach agencies, advocacy organizations, and community-based service providers offer scholarships and other funding opportunities to students dedicated to supporting their causes.
- Nonprofits. Advocacy-focused nonprofits influence government policy, conduct research, and often use their funds to sponsor scholarships.
- Social Work Employers. Private and publicly-run social service agencies offer scholarships and stipends. Stipend programs provide funding and fieldwork opportunities to social work students who commit to working for a specific employer for a specified amount of time upon graduation.
- Schools of Social Work. While social work schools across the nation offer scholarships, California is home to some of the oldest, most recognized programs. Many also offer need-based BSW and MSW scholarships, as well.
How much these BSW and MSW scholarships are worth varies greatly. Some may be for a few hundred dollars while others might total thousands. But together, they can put a big dent in the cost of your degree.
Types of BSW and MSW Scholarships
There are many types of scholarships out there (athletic scholarships for undergrads, scholarships for students from specific communities, etc.), but as a social work student, you might be a great candidate for certain ones.
Types of BSW and MSW scholarships you should investigate include:
- Academic Scholarships. Schools typically look at factors like GPA when selecting scholarship recipients. While each opportunity has its own GPA cutoff, many scholarships require applicants to have a B average (3.0 GPA) or above.
- Leadership Scholarships. Leadership scholarships are for students who have experience leading school and community initiatives. As advocates for social justice, social work students are often great candidates for this type of funding.
- Service Scholarships. Colleges, national nonprofits, and local service agencies often award scholarships to students who have dedicated their time and energy to helping others.
- Minority Scholarships. To help more people, social work agencies need the talents and perspectives of diverse professionals. Schools and professional organizations alike offer scholarships to minority students and students from typically underrepresented backgrounds.
- Military Scholarships. Veterans, members of the Reserves, and those on active duty have access to some of the most comprehensive scholarships and funding programs. Find out more about the financial resources available to veteran social work students.
- Renewable Scholarships. Not all BSW and MSW scholarships provide one-time funding. Some allow students to apply every year.
To apply for most of these scholarships, you’ll likely have to provide academic and personal background information. If you’re applying for a service or leadership scholarship, you may also have to provide proof. However, BSW and MSW scholarships often ask for a little more than the basics.
Scholarship Application Tips
Organizations that award BSW and MSW scholarships are looking for students who embody their principles and can forward their goals. To find them, they often ask for letters of recommendation and personal essays.
Letters of recommendation can come from past social work professors, fieldwork supervisors, and supervisors at agencies you’ve worked at or volunteered for. But no matter who you ask, try to find people that can speak to both your passion for service and abilities. Remember to read application instructions carefully, though — organizations often ask for recommendations from specific sources.
Writing a personal essay can be even more intimidating than asking for a letter of recommendation. If you don’t know where to begin, here are a few tips to get you started:
- Do your research. Look into the values and mission of the organization offering the scholarship. Try to think of any experiences that align with the kind of work they do. A quick story about a specific event can speak to your ethics and ambition.
- Start with the basics. Talk about your background, when you developed a passion for social service, or even an event that sparked it. This can also include volunteer work you’ve done, social service jobs you’ve had, and what kind of education you’ve had.
- Talk about how this opportunity may help you. If earning a scholarship makes becoming a social worker more realistic, discuss why.
- Describe your goals. Scholarships are investments. Talking about your goals (populations you want to help and places you want to work for example) can let organizations know that they’re awarding a scholarship to someone who’ll use it to launch a lifelong career in advocacy.
If you’re still unsure about what to write about, reach out to your peers, professors, mentors, or anyone that might be able to provide insights into the application process. Chances are someone around you has already gone through it.
Grants
Applying for scholarships often involves filling out different applications for each one. However, applying for grants is typically simpler. In most cases, you only need to fill out one form — the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
To determine how much financial aid you need, the FAFSA form asks about:
- Your income and savings.
- Your spouse’s income.
- Your parents’ income (if you’re a dependent).
- Different sources of income like investments.
- Other types of aid you receive (SNAP, social security, etc.).
- Dependents and child support payments.
Before filling out a FAFSA form, you may want to gather all tax documents, bank statements, and other types of financial records. If you’re a US citizen, you’ll need to provide your social security number. If you’re an immigrant or refugee, you may still be eligible, but you’ll likely have to provide paperwork regarding your status.
Federal Grants
Every year, the US Department of Education provides $112 billion in financial aid. Through their Pell Grant program, students can receive over $7,000 to put towards school-related costs. Students with great financial need can receive more aid by applying for Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG).
While these grants are typically restricted to bachelor’s students, they can help you reduce the overall cost of earning your MSW.
California State Government Grants
Cal Grant is one of the most well-funded and accessible state-based grant programs in the country. In addition to the general Cal Grant program, there are also programs designed specifically for current and former foster youth, students who would like to start their college education at a community college, and high-performing students from low-income homes. Through the California Dream Act, undocumented students can also apply for funding.
But like federal grants, Cal Grants are typically only open to bachelor’s students. However, MSW students can apply for a State University Grant (SUG) — a need-based award that can cover state university fees.
School-specific Grants
Though government agencies provide the most widely-available grants, many colleges and universities have their own grants for MSW students. Generally, schools use FAFSA information to determine eligibility, but some schools have a separate application process.
Find Ways to Fund Your MSW in California
As the need for social service professionals surges, so do funding opportunities for social work students. Explore the dozens of need-based financial aid, MSW scholarship, and fellowship programs available to California students and fund your calling today.