This list is intended to be a resource in the search for scholarship opportunities to help subsidize your graduate education. It is not exhaustive, meaning there are many more scholarships out there, but you have to research to find those you are eligible for. If you would like additional information regarding graduate financial aid at Loyola, please see the Graduate Financial Aid Handbook.

Loyola SSW Scholarships

External Scholarships

Postgraduate Scholarships

Loyola School of Social Work Scholarships

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Performance-Based Scholarships Focused on Student Need

SSW internal scholarships are awarded to incoming MSW admits who demonstrate financial need, community engagement, a commitment to academic success at Loyola, and promise in the social work profession.

Eligibility

Admitted students who applied for admission to the MSW, MSW Dual Degree, MSW Advanced Standing, OMSW, OBMSW, or the 5^th year of the BSW/MSW 5-year program who demonstrate financial need.

To receive an early scholarship decision, please apply by the priority deadlines below:

MSW, MSW Dual Degree, MSW Advanced Standing, & BSW/MSW 5^th year

March 1 for Summer & Fall admission
October 1 for Spring admission

Online MSW & Online Bilingual MSW

July 1 for Fall admission
November 1 for Spring admission

Apply

You may apply for this scholarship directly on your admitted student portal. Please do NOT apply for this scholarship until you have received your admission letter. Those who apply after the priority deadline may also be considered if funding is still available. The strength of all application materials (i.e. personal statement, resume, and FAFSA application) is considered when awarding these internal scholarships.

Students must have their FAFSA application fully completed with our school code (001710) added before their scholarship application can be considered complete and ready for review. Students who feel their FAFSA does not adequately represent their current financial circumstances may submit a Special Circumstance Appeal form so that we may still be able to determine current financial needs. You may find this appeal form on the Financial Aid Office webpage under the Find Forms section.

Students who are ineligible to apply for a FAFSA application may use the Net Price Calculator to help determine financial needs. Please note, while the terminology on this online calculator is geared towards undergraduate programs, the financial questions and outcome are still relevant for graduate programs. Please save a PDF copy of the results and attach it to the scholarship application before submitting it.

If selected as a recipient, you are expected to maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA each semester. If you fail to meet this GPA requirement, you may not receive your full scholarship award.

For questions and more information about scholarships, please contact the Assistant Director of Partnerships & Pathways, Pamela Nigh at pnigh@luc.edu.

The Lester Czernik Scholarship is awarded at the start of each academic year to one to two incoming MSW students who demonstrate financial need and promise to the social work profession.

Eligibility

Summer or Fall MSW admits who demonstrate financial need as determined by the financial information submitted when applying for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Preference is given to applicants who are graduates of a Chicago Public High School, are first-generation college students, or speak English as a second language.

Application

The application link will be emailed to admitted students as funds for this award become available each aid year.

Completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and Lester Czernik Scholarship application form is required. Students who are ineligible to apply for a FAFSA application may use the Net Price Calculator to help determine financial needs. Please note, while the terminology on this online calculator is geared towards undergraduate programs, the financial questions and outcome are still relevant for graduate programs. Please save a PDF copy of the results and attach it to the scholarship application before submitting it.

For questions or more information about scholarships, please contact the Assistant Director of Partnerships & Pathways, Pamela Nigh, at pnigh@luc.edu

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External Scholarships

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NASW Foundation

The NASW Foundation offers various scholarships, fellowships, and awards to support students pursuing a variety of social work specialties.

Apply

Online applications are accepted through Wednesday, March 11, 2020. Questions? Email naswfoundation@socialworkers.org

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Carl A. Scott Book Scholarship

The Carl A. Scott Memorial Fund was developed to continue the legacy of equity and social justice in social work by building knowledge and furthering the well-being of individuals and their communities. The Carl A. Scott Book Scholarship is awarded to students who have demonstrated a commitment to work for equity and social justice in social work.

Eligibility

Applicants must be in the last year of study for a social work degree in either a bachelor's or a master's degree program accredited by CSWE, be enrolled full-time, and have demonstrated commitment to promoting equity and social justice. The scholarships are targeted but not limited to minority/BIPOC individuals. They can be awarded to a student only once.

The Alpha Kappa Alpha Educational Advancement Foundation Scholarship

The Alpha Kappa Alpha Educational Advancement Foundation (EAF) offers Merit and Financial Assistance graduate scholarships. The EAF's mission is to promote lifelong learning, accomplished by awarding scholarships to deserving students.

Eligibility

Full-time students who have a minimum GPA of 2.5 (Financial Assistance Scholarship) or 3.0 (Merit Scholarship) and demonstrate community service and involvement.

Apply

The Charles David Hughes Graduate Scholarship

The Charles David Hughes Graduate Scholarship, sponsored by the Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County, Inc. (CEDA), awards students who are to pursue a graduate degree in a public-service-related studies program at an accredited college or university.

Eligibility

Applicants must be income-eligible residents of suburban Cook County who demonstrate academic achievement, career potential, and educational motivation.

Apply

To review current deadlines and submit an application, please visit the CEDA Community Engagement website. For additional information, please contact webmaster@cedaorg.net.

Point Foundation (Point) Scholarship

Point Foundation (Point) is the nation's largest higher education scholarship-granting organization for LGBTQ students. The Point Scholarship Fund empowers promising LGBTQ students to achieve their full academic and leadership potential; Point's multifaceted support of its scholarship recipients extends far beyond direct financial contribution. Each scholar is paired with a mentor and participates in leadership development programs and events.

Eligibility

Applicants must be LGBTQ students enrolled or intending to enroll at an accredited college or university; must be enrolled full-time, indicate a track record of leadership and community involvement, strong academic achievement, and working for the betterment of the LGBTQ community.  

Apply

The Roy Scrivner Memorial Research Grants provide graduate student grants for empirical or applied research that encourages the study of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) family psychology and LGBT family therapy.

Eligibility

Applicant must be an advanced graduate student, in good standing, endorsed by his/her supervising professor; must have demonstrated commitment to LGBT family issues; IRB approval must be received before funding can be awarded if human participants are involved in research.

Apply

The Marianjoy Scholarship Program

The Marianjoy Scholarship Program awards scholarships to students with disabilities to help them further their education, pursue opportunities for growth, explore new possibilities, and achieve their dreams.

Eligibility

Applicants must have a permanent physical disability or functional impairment and be permanent residents in Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, McHenry, or Will County. Students are selected on the basis of academic record, educational and career goals, financial need, and leadership roles and participation in school or the community.

Apply

To review current deadlines and submit an application, please visit the Marianjoy Scholarship Program; a complete application includes application submission on the website, personal statement, financial statement, official transcripts, and two or more letters of recommendation. For additional information, please call 630-909-7400.

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The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, Inc. (CHCI) 

The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, Inc. (CHCI) provides scholarship opportunities for Latino Students in the U.S. who have a history of performing public service-oriented activities in their communities.

Eligibility

Applicants must be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program within the U.S. or Puerto Rico; demonstrate financial need; be a U.S. citizen, and have active participation in community service.

The Korean American Scholarship

The Korean American Scholarship provides scholarships to Korean American students engaged in community and civic service.

Eligibility

Applicants must be full-time students in one of the designated Midwestern region states; have a Korean heritage studying in the U.S (including international students from Korea); obtain a GPA of 3.0 or higher, and demonstrate a need for financial assistance.

Apply

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NAACP Scholarships and Awards

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is committed to supporting future civil rights leaders and honoring those on the front lines of the movement.

The Melanie Foundation

The Melanie Foundation was created in 2006 to honor the life and legacy of Melanie Merola O’Donnell, with the mission to foster support for mental health issues. The Melanie Foundation Scholarship is a $2,500 scholarship to be awarded to a candidate pursuing a doctoral or master’s degree in the mental health field.

Eligibility

Currently enrolled in a graduate program majoring in the mental health field in the United States. Programs must be accredited by one or more of the following credentialing agencies: ACGME, APA, CACREP, CSWE, COAMFTE.

Provide evidence of past involvement in extracurricular, volunteer, research, and/or career-related activities

Apply

Please visit The Melanie Foundation webpage and/or contact melaniescholarship@live.com for more information.

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Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund

The Fund was founded in 1961 as the Marian Davis Scholarship Fund, a memorial to a teacher and political activist who died of breast cancer in 1960. Marian was an advocate for racial justice and the rights of labor.

Eligibility

The Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund aids people active in movements for social and economic justice. These need-based scholarships are awarded to students who are able to do academic work at the college or university level or are enrolled in a trade or technical program and who are active in the progressive movement.

Apply

Please visit the Davis-Putter Scholarship webpage to apply and/or contact davisputter@davisputter.org for more information.

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Postgraduate Scholarships

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The Loan Repayment Program

The Loan Repayment Program, sponsored by the National Health Service Corps (NHSC), is a federal program for Licensed Clinical Social Workers with a commitment to working in an underserved area. Participants can earn up to $50,000 to repay student loans.

Eligibility

Applicants must be U.S. citizens, be fully trained and licensed to practice, and have unpaid student loans to be considered. Applicants may apply when given a job at an NHSC-approved site.

Apply

To review current deadlines and submit an application, please visit the NHSC Loan Repayment website. For additional information, please call (800) 221-9393.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH)

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Loan Repayment Programs are a set of programs designed to recruit and retain highly qualified health professionals and social workers who possess doctoral-level degrees and are pursuing research.

Eligibility

Applicants must be U.S. citizens; hold a Ph.D.; have loan debt; and agree to complete research for a nonprofit organization or government entity.

Apply

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The New York State Licensed Social Worker Loan Forgiveness (LSWLF)

The New York State Licensed Social Worker Loan Forgiveness (LSWLF) Program is a state program offered to licensed social workers in New York to work in critical human services. Social Workers are able to be in the program for four years of qualified service. Award amounts are approximately $6,500 a year.

Eligibility

Applicants must be a legal resident of New York State for one year; have U.S. citizenship, work as a licensed social worker in New York; have one year of qualified service; and have student loan debt.

Apply

To review current deadlines and submit an application, please visit the New York State LSWLF website. For additional information, please contact scholarships@hesc.ny.gov.

The Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program

The Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program offers loan forgiveness for social workers who work in qualifying public service (not-for-profit and government organizations at any level). Loans are forgiven after 120 qualifying monthly payments have been made.

Eligibility

Applicants must work full-time in public service and make qualifying payments under the Direct Loan Program to be eligible.

Apply

The Peace Corps

The Peace Corps is a service opportunity for volunteers to immerse themselves in a community abroad by helping the people of interested countries meet their need for trained volunteers, to help promote a better understanding of Americans, and to help promote a better understanding of other people. The Peace Corps offers a fellows program that offers financial assistance to returned Peace Corps volunteers.

Eligibility

AmeriCorps/ AmeriCorps VISTA are 12-month programs for volunteers who want to serve and strengthen communities within the U.S. AmeriCorps members are eligible for a Segal AmeriCorps Education Fellowship upon successful completion of the program.

Eligibility

Applicants must be U.S. citizens; age 17 or older; and have a high school diploma or its equivalent. To be eligible for the Segal Fellowship, applicants must have successfully completed a full-time term of service in AmeriCorps or AmeriCorps VISTA.

Apply

To review current deadlines and submit an application, please visit the AmeriCorps website. For additional information, please contact elisegalfellowship@cns.gov.

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Kott Gerontology Scholarship

Beginning in 2004, the Russell and Josephine Kott Charitable Trust has provided paid internships to advanced graduate students with a focus on aging attending Chicago-area universities. The Kott Gerontology Institute administers the internship program. The intent of the Kott Gerontology Scholars Program is to encourage and support graduate students in a variety of professional specializations to develop skills that will prepare them to continue working with older adults after graduation.

Eligibility