M.S.W. Program
Scholarships and stipends
Scholarships are available through the VCU, the school, state and national sources. Schoolwide awards are available through the Office of Student Services.
VCU School of Social Work sources
VCU Child Welfare Education and Support Program
Effective Oct. 1, 2009, as a result of Governor Kaine’s budget reduction measures, the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Social Services will no longer be providing funding for VCU’s Child Welfare Stipend program. Student applications for the Child Welfare Stipend Program can no longer be accepted.
M.S.W. Financial Assistance
The School of Social Work tuition stipends are available in varying amounts, depending on fund availability. Awards are based on demonstrated need and merit. Full-time M.S.W. students in the first year or second year of study may apply online [PDF] or in the Office of Student Services on either campus. The deadline is May 1.
Geriatric Practicum Partnership Program
Previous funding and support from the John A. Hartford Program has helped provide financial support and guidance for field placements to prepare social workers to work with older adults across a variety of settings. While the Hartford funding has ended, we have established a community consortium with agencies that continue to support these efforts, some financially and some by providing educational opportunities. The Geriatric Practicum Partnership Program opportunities are open to full- and part-time M.S.W. Foundation and Advanced Standing students who are planning to enroll in a concurrent field placement for the upcoming fall or spring semesters. Students’ field instruction internships will occur in a geriatric service program and may involve learning activities in other aging related practice environments. Students will participate, with other students who work with older adults, in a seminar that meets several times a semester, often in community agencies.
Interested applicants should contact Dr. Timothy Davey at (804) 828-0708 or tdavey@vcu.edu. Application is available online. [Word document] The deadline to apply is June 1.
William Randolph Hearst Endowed Scholarship
The Hearst Scholarship of approximately $4,000 is offered to students interested in social work practice in the area of aging. This scholarship opportunity is open to full- and part-time students who are entering the Concentration Field the following fall or spring. Applicants must have applied or been accepted into the Certificate in Aging Studies Program at VCU before applying to the Hearst Scholarship. Only students accepted to the certificate program will be eligible to receive the scholarship. Scholarship application forms are available online [Word document]. The deadline is March 1.
Phi Kappa Phi – graduate scholarship
One master’s and one doctoral student selected by faculty from the School of Social Work will receive a $2,500 scholarship each academic year. Students must enroll full time for the following academic year (application due in January for scholarship the following academic year). Faculty members nominate students or students may self-nominate. Scholarship application forms are available online. [Word document] The deadline is Jan. 10.
For more information about Phi Kappa Phi, visit their Web site at www.vcu.edu/phikappaphi.
The Just Research Scholarship
The Just Research Scholarship, administered by the VCU Department of Psychology, was established at VCU by Dr. and Mrs. Robert Green. Professor Green earned a B.S. degree (with honors) in Psychology in 1967 and an M.S.W. degree from the School of Social Work in 1970. He was a faculty member at the School of Social Work from 1975 until 2005 and was awarded the rank of professor emeritus upon his retirement. Full-time foundation year M.S.W. students who are graduates of the psychology program at VCU and who have completed, been waived from, or are enrolled in SLWK 609 are eligible to apply. The award amount varies and the application deadline is mid-February. E-mail Dr. Scott Vrana, chair of the Department of Psychology, at srvrana@vcu.edu for more information.
Jessie Hibbs Scholarship – graduate scholarship
This is awarded in conjunction with the VCU-MCV Women’s Club to a female graduate student with dependent children. The award amount is $1,000 and goes to a Ph.D. or M.S.W. student in alternating years. Recipient must be a female graduate student with dependent children and a Virginia resident who is eligible for financial assistance as determined by the VCU Office of Financial Aid. Students must be full-time or part-time in the following fall semester. Students may self-nominate by submitting a one- or two-page statement of educational achievements and interests, resume, an indication of eligibility from Financial Aid and a letter of support from a member of the faculty. The deadline is March 1.
Faculty nominated scholarships
Faculty can nominate currently enrolled students for the following scholarships in March. Award amounts vary depending on fund availability.Anne Fischer Scholarship – full-time M.S.W. student
This scholarship was established by Anne Fischer, an M.S.W. graduate and former caseworker with a long history of social work practice in the Richmond area. The scholarship is awarded to a student with a clear interest in clinical or casework, especially with families and children.
Dennis Scholarship – full-time M.S.W. student
The Dennis Scholarship is awarded to an M.S.W. student who is excelling academically and who is also making a significant contribution to the life of the School of Social Work through extracurricular activities, service projects and volunteer work. Financial need and residency status are also considered. The criteria includes students entering the concentration year of the program the following fall semester, full-time status and a 3.7 minimum cumulative GPA. The award amount varies, depending on fund availability.
Elaine Rothenberg Scholarship – full-time M.S.W. student
The Elaine Rothenberg Scholarship was established in memory of Rothenberg, who served as dean of the School of Social Work from 1972 to 1990. Rothenberg exemplified the characteristics of academic excellence, service to the profession and personal qualities of compassion and leadership. This scholarship is awarded to a student who demonstrates exceptional service or leadership in his or her chosen field of social work practice. Read more.
Emmett W. Cocke Jr. Scholarship – full-time M.S.W. student
This scholarship was established as a gift from Pace Memorial United Methodist Church in memory of the Rev. Emmett W. Cocke Jr., pastor of Pace Memorial Church and United Methodist campus minister at VCU from 1973 to 1979. This scholarship is awarded to a student with demonstrated commitment to serving the poor and the marginalized in society.
Martin Schwartz Scholarship – part-time M.S.W. student
This scholarship was established in honor of Martin Schwartz, Ed.D., who taught in the School of Social Work from 1974 to 2000. As a faculty member, Schwartz was deeply committed to the clinical practice of social work and was an advocate for part-time students. This scholarship is awarded to a student with a demonstrated interest in clinical social work practice.
Mel Whipple Scholarship – full-time M.S.W. student
Mel C. Whipple, a 1972 M.S.W. graduate who maintained a successful private practice in the Richmond area, established this scholarship. It is awarded to a student with a demonstrated understanding of the African-American culture who has an interest in pursuing a career in clinical practice in mental health.
Tom Carlton Memorial Scholarship – full-time M.S.W. student
This scholarship was established in memory of Dr. Thomas Carlton, a professor and former acting dean of the VCU School of Social Work (1973-1992), with funds given by his family, friends and colleagues, along with a generous gift from the Virginia Organization of Health Care Social Workers. It is awarded to a student committed to practice in the health field.
State sources
Jack Kent Cook Foundation – graduate scholarship
This program is offered to college seniors in or from Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia who plan to pursue a graduate or professional degree and who show evidence of the character Jack Kent Cooke admired. Applicants must be able to demonstrate financial need.
Fifty scholarships will be awarded each spring for the following year. The award will provide funding for tuition, room and board, and required fees and books for up to six years of graduate study. Scholarship amounts will vary for each recipient based on several factors, including costs at the institution he or she attends. Awards cannot exceed $50,000 annually. Scholars may use the award to attend any accredited graduate school in the U.S. or abroad, to pursue any graduate degree or any professional degree, including medicine, law or business.
For more information, contact Dr. Douglas Boudinot, VCU Graduate School, at (804) 828-6916. Information and application materials are available online at www.jackkentcookefoundation.org.
Hampton Roads Association of Social Workers
The Hampton Roads Association of Social Workers is offering a $1,500 scholarship to a student pursuing graduate study in social work. Applicants should be long-time Virginia residents who can demonstrate financial need and also show a commitment to the field of social work through their education, volunteer activities or employment. The deadline for this application is March 1. Applications may be obtained online at www.norfolkfoundation.org or by calling the scholarship hotline at (757) 622-7951.
Virginia House of Delegates College Internship Program
Legislative internships are available to any junior, senior or graduate student, regardless of major, to work in the legislative process of state government. Stipends are available up to $1,000 for three legislative sessions. Information and applications may be obtained from Intern Coordinator, House of Delegates, P.O. Box 406, Richmond, VA 23218; (804) 698-1497; or e-mail interns@house.state.va.us. The deadline for summer internships is April 7.
National sources
Phi Kappa Phi
A Phi Kappa Phi fellowship for an outstanding senior student who is going on to graduate study is awarded on a nationally competitive basis. Students with superior academic and leadership records should apply directly for one of 52, $8,000 fellowships and 30, $1,500 honorable mention awards for first-year graduate or professional study. For more information visit www.vcu.edu/phikappaphi.
Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society study abroad award
Twenty $1,000 study abroad grants will be awarded every academic year to support students to seek knowledge and experience in their academic fields by studying abroad. The deadline is mid-February. For more information or to download an application visit the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi Web site or contact Robert G. Davis, executive director of the VCU Chapter of Phi Kappa Phi via e-mail at rgdavis@vcu.edu.
N.A.S.W. foundation fellowship and scholarship awards
Applications are accepted every January through March. The following fellowships and scholarships are offered through the N.A.S.W. Foundation and eligible N.A.S.W. members are invited to apply. For more information visit www.naswfoundation.com.
The Consuelo W. Gosnell Memorial M.S.W. scholarships
These scholarships are awarded to master’s degree candidates in social work who are interested in working with American Indian/Alaska Native and Hispanic/Latino populations, or in public and voluntary nonprofit agency settings. There are up to 10 scholarships awarded.
Verne Lamarr Lyons Scholarship for M.S.W. students
This scholarship is awarded to students who demonstrate an interest and/or experience in health, mental health practice and a commitment to working in African-American communities. The award amount varies and the deadline is Feb. 14. For more information contact N.A.S.W. at (202) 408-8600 or online at www.socialworkers.org.
Additional information, including program descriptions, guidelines and application cover forms are available online at www.naswfoundation.com. If you are not currently a member of N.A.S.W., please log onto www.socialworkers.org to learn more about the exciting benefits of membership.
American Board of Examiners in Clinical Social Work
ABE offers up to five $1,000 awards to second-year M.S.W. students in a national competition based on the excellence of papers on clinical social work practice. Guidelines for application are posted on the ABE Web site at www.abecsw.org. Application packets are available from the Office of Student Services on both campuses. The deadline is typically Feb. 1.
Carl A. Scott Book Scholarship
The Carl A. Scott Book Scholarship is awarded by the Council on Social Work Education in the amount of $500 each academic year. Two awards will be made to students from ethnic groups of color (African-American, American Indian, Asian-American, Mexican-American and Puerto Rican) who are in their last year of study for a social work degree in a baccalaureate or master’s degree program accredited by CSWE. Application forms are available in the Office of Student Services on both campuses. For more information visit www.cswe.org.