Scholarships & Fellowships
General Scholarships and Fellowships for Foundation and Incoming Students
The PRIORITY Deadline for scholarship applications for the Fall 2024 semester is 11:59pm on January 15th. March 31st, 2024 is the final deadline for students to apply for up to 3 general scholarships.
The SSW awards a number of scholarships each year for foundation and incoming students. Scholarship awards range from $2,000-$10,000+. To be considered for a scholarship, students must apply after submitting a complete MSW application.
The following are eligible to apply:
* New incoming students (part-time, full-time, foundation, advanced standing)
* Continuing part-time students who will be in their first field placement in Fall 2024
The priority deadline for scholarship applications is 11:59pm on January 15th, 2024.
The final deadline for scholarship applications is 11:59pm on March 31st, 2024. Applications will only be considered if students have submitted a complete admissions application for the MSW program or are already enrolled in the MSW program.
If you have questions about these scholarships for incoming and foundation students, please contact Amanda Lehning, Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, at alehning@ssw.umaryland.edu.
Download PDF of Scholarship Descriptions & Essay Instructions
Social Work Community Outreach Services Scholarships
The PRIORITY Deadline for scholarship applications for the Fall 2024 semester is 11:59pm on January 15th. March 15th is the final deadline for scholarship applications for Fall 2024.
SWCOS is an acronym for 'Social Work Community Outreach' and its Scholarships are available to students planning to complete a field placement in Baltimore City. SWCOS is an initiative at the School of Social Work's Center for Restorative Change. The Center's mission is to advance social justice through mutually transformative community-university partnerships. The vision of The Center is that all communities will be equitable and promote well-being, self-determination, individual and collective power. SWCOS offers innovative field experiences in a wide range of community settings such as schools, neighborhoods, and other nonprofit organizations. Scholarship awards range from $2,000-$5,000+.
For more information, please contact Temeka Bailey: temeka.bailey@ssw.umaryland.edu
Research Assistant (RA) Scholars Fellowship
The PRIORITY Deadline for scholarship applications for the Fall 2024 semester is 11:59pm on January 15th. March 15th is the final deadline for scholarship applications for Fall 2024.
The Research Assistant (RA) Scholars Program is a competitive two-year research fellowship award offered to select MSW students who hold strong interests and potential for social work research and scholarship. Across the fellowship period, RA Scholars work to support a UM SSW faculty mentor who is engaged in active research initiatives. Applications are reviewed and faculty mentor matches are made between students and faculty based on complementary interests. Awards across each academic year of the program are approximately $6,000 for RA Scholars to work 10 hours per week across 15 weeks each semester (i.e. Approximate pay rate of $20/hour). The exact award amount may vary slightly from one academic year to the next and will be confirmed at the time of your application for the respective academic year. There may be opportunities for RA Scholars to work across the summer, and this determination is made annually dependent on UMSSW budget availability.
For more information, please email Christabel Cheung.
Behavioral Health Fellowships
The Behavioral Health Workforce Integration Service and Education (BHWISE) Fellowships are training programs for MSW students committed to providing behavioral health services to individuals from underserved populations. BHWISE Fellows will receive inter-professional educational opportunities, specialized seminars, focused coursework, and an educational stipend.
BHWISE Lifespan – Advanced year Fellowship with $10,000 stipend for students committed to providing behavioral health services to underserved individuals across the lifespan.
BHWISE-SUDWE - One-year fellowship with a $15,000 stipend for advanced standing and advanced year students interested in specialized education and training related to substance use disorder treatment.
BHWISE-SUDIF – SUDIF is for incoming foundation students who will enroll in their field assignment simultaneously while in the fellowship and complete the MSW program in two consecutive years. Two-year Fellowship with a $12,000 stipend for the Foundation year and a $16,000 stipend for the Advanced year; participants contractually commit to providing integrated behavioral health services for two years post-graduation in a program providing direct clinical services to individuals impacted by substance use disorders.
To learn more about all BHWISE fellowships and the application process, please visit our webpage:
http://www.ssw.umaryland.edu/bhwise/
Title IV-E Education for Public Child Welfare Program
The Title IV-E Education for Public Child Welfare Program offers MSW students specialized training to partner with families and children to deliver clinical services in the home and community. Students are enrolled internships at a Local Department of Social Agencies and other community partners to provide In Home Family Preservation Services, Permanency and Placement Services, Child Protective Services.
Students will receive a financial stipend for each semester they are enrolled in the program and will be guaranteed employment upon graduation. Students are committing to work in a Local Department of Social Services Agency where they will receive competitive salaries with benefits upon graduation.
The program is geared to both Clinical and Macro Students. Students are part of a cohort of students and participate in Monthly Seminars led by Title IV-E Faculty. Students will receive clinical training and coursework to support Child Welfare Competency Preparation including trauma responsive approaches and Motivational Interviewing in coordination with the Integrated Practice Model. Students are enrolled into coursework that will support evidenced based practices and understanding policy in Child Welfare. Students engage in discussion and dialogue around antiracist and anti-oppressive approaches to be part of system transformation.
To learn more about all Title IV-E stipends and the application process, please visit our webpage.
Scholarships for Students Entering Their Advanced Year
These funds are only eligible for students entering their Advanced Year. Newly accepted students will not be considered for the following awards. Students may apply for up to 3 advanced scholarships.
Applications will open by February 28, 2024. The deadline for all advanced year scholarships is to April 1, 2024 by 11:59pm.
Alumni Association Scholarship
Awarded from the Alumni Association’s Scholarship Fund, these scholarships are for continuing students (going into a second year or the advanced curriculum in the fall 2023 semester) who have completed at least 15 credits at the School.
Bou Family International Scholarship
Awarded to a second-year student with an interest in international affairs/service.
Brittani “Bri” Brunn Memorial Scholarship
Given to an Advanced MSW student pursuing or furthering a career with a clinical concentration in Behavioral Health. The recipient will be selected by a staff and faculty committee based on merit and financial need, as well as an essay describing their future behavioral health plans. Preference will be given to students that have an interest in suicide prevention.
Camille Baudot Wheeler Scholarship for Policy Studies
Awarded to a student entering their advanced year with an abiding interest in policy studies.
Dr. Oliver C. Harris Scholarship for the Prevention of Intimate Partner Violence
Awarded to a student entering their advanced year with an abiding interest in the prevention of intimate partner violence through the practice of social work.
Jean M. Dockhorn and Anne P. Hahn Scholarship
Given to a student entering their advanced year who wishes to pursue further studies and gain experience in the following areas: hospital social work, a community health care organization, or social work/public health.
Julie and Erol Oktay Scholarship for Oncology Social Work
Awarded to a student entering their advanced year with a commitment to the field of oncology social work.
Richard W. Friedman Scholarship for Juvenile Justice or Criminal Justice
Given to a student entering their advanced year who plans to pursue a career in juvenile justice or criminal justice.
Sylvia Miller Nathanson Scholarship
Given to a non-traditional student entering their advanced year. Non-traditional is defined in this case as meeting at least one of the following characteristics: delayed enrollment into postgraduate education; attending school part-time while working full time; having dependents other than a spouse, or being a single parent.
Terrie Alexander Memorial Scholarship
Awarded to an Advanced MSW student pursuing a career in Substance Use Intervention or Prevention (preference is given to students in field placements at the Terrie Alexander Intensive Outpatient Clinic and/or Forensics Social Work {Defense Based}).
Woodside Foundation Scholarship in Financial Social Work
Awarded to a clinical or macro student interested in financial social work, including working with individuals, families and communities to build financial capability and assets; addressing poverty, economic inequality, and the racial wealth divide; and advancing economic justice.
If you have questions about these scholarships for students entering their advanced year, please contact Amanda Lehning, Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, at alehning@ssw.umaryland.edu.
For more information, download 2023-2023 Advanced Scholarship Descriptions & Essay Instructions
PhD Scholarships
Please visit our PhD Scholarships page for more information.
UMB Scholarship Opportunities
UMB offers a number of scholarships to students who demonstrate a strong ability to succeed through their academic achievements, community leadership, and service.
Other Opportunities Not Administered Through the School of Social Work
Loan Forgiveness Program
https://www.socialworkers.org/Advocacy/Policy-Issues/Student-Loan-Forgiveness
Helping Social Workers With Student Loan Debt
https://www.socialworktoday.com/archive/exc_051515.shtml
CSWE’s Minority Fellowship Program (MFP)
The Minority Fellowship Program - Youth (MFP-Y) provides a monetary stipend, specialized training, mentorship, and other supports to direct practice-focused social work master’s students who are committed to providing mental health services to at-risk children and youths in underserved minority communities. The program is targeted to, but not limited to, racial/ethnic minority students.
- The 2023–2024 application cycle will open in spring 2023.
- If you would like to be notified when the next application cycle opens, add your email here.
- Answers to questions about application requirements can be found here (PDF).
- Please direct all other questions to mfp@cswe.org.
Who can be considered for this program?
The Master’s Minority Fellowship Program (MFP) is a program designed to enhance the training of full-time, master’s-level, direct practice-focused social work students in their final year of study at a CSWE-accredited institution. Applicants must identify mental health and/or substance use disorder service delivery to racial/ethnic minority populations as their focus, and be committed to seeking employment in this field after graduation. Historically, the MFP master’s fellowship has also required that fellows specifically work with children, adolescents, and/or transition-aged youths. While this is still a target population for applicants to serve, it is no longer a requirement.
The purpose of this program is to reduce health disparities and improve behavioral healthcare outcomes for racially and ethnically diverse populations by increasing the number of culturally competent master’s-level behavioral health professionals available to serve racial/ethnic minority populations.
See the How to Apply page for eligibility and other details.
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