Social Work

Social work is an academic discipline and profession that concerns itself with individuals, families, groups and communities in an effort to enhance health and social functioning and overall well-being. Social functioning refers to the way in which people perform their social roles, and the structural institutions that are provided to sustain them. Social work applies social sciences, such as sociology, psychology, political science, public health, community development, law, and economics, to engage with client systems, conduct assessments, and develop interventions to solve social and personal problems; and create social change. Social work practice is often divided into micro-work, which involves working directly with individuals or small groups; and macro-work, which involves working communities, and within social policy, to create change on a larger scale.

Social work developed in the 19th century, with roots in voluntary philanthropy and grassroots organizing. However, the act of responding to social needs have existed long before then, primarily from private charities, and religious organizations. The effects of the Industrial Revolution and the Great Depression placed pressure on social work to be a more defined discipline.

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Scholarships for Social Work Majors

Bullet name award deadline Link
 

Sturgis Fellowship

University of Arkansas

$20,000 February 01, 2026 See Details

Description

The Sturgis Fellowship is available to incoming freshmen who plan on majoring in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Arkansas. You must demonstrate exceptional academic performance to be considered for this renewable award. In addition, you must have a minimum 30 ACT/1320 SAT score and a minimum 3.8 GPA to be...

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Sturgis Fellowship

University of Arkansas

award

$20,000

deadline

February 01, 2026
See Details

Description

The Sturgis Fellowship is available to incoming freshmen who plan on majoring in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Arkansas. You must demonstrate exceptional academic performance to be considered for this renewable award. In addition, you must have a minimum 30 ACT/1320 SAT score and a minimum 3.8 GPA to be...

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Tennessee Behavioral Health Pathways Scholarship

Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services

Up to $15,000 Varies See Details

Description

The Tennessee Behavioral Health Pathways Scholarship is available to Tennessee residents who are seeking a master's degree in counseling, psychiatric nursing, social work, psychology, or similar behavioral health profession. In exchange for tuition assistance, scholarship recipients will commit to working at a state-funded community behavioral...

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Tennessee Behavioral Health Pathways Scholarship

Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services

award

Up to $15,000

deadline

Varies
See Details

Description

The Tennessee Behavioral Health Pathways Scholarship is available to Tennessee residents who are seeking a master's degree in counseling, psychiatric nursing, social work, psychology, or similar behavioral health profession. In exchange for tuition assistance, scholarship recipients will commit to working at a state-funded community behavioral...

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Scholarship for School Social Workers - UL Urbana-Champaign

University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign - School of Social Work

$10,000 Varies See Details

Description

The Scholarship for School Social Workers is available to graduate students at the School of Social Work at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, who are specializing in school social work.

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Scholarship for School Social Workers - UL Urbana-Champaign

University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign - School of Social Work

award

$10,000

deadline

Varies
See Details

Description

The Scholarship for School Social Workers is available to graduate students at the School of Social Work at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, who are specializing in school social work.

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Sue Keller Memorial Scholarship

University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign - School of Social Work

$6,000 Varies See Details

Description

The Sue Keller Memorial Scholarship is available to graduate students enrolled in the School of Social Work at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign who are specializing in mental health.

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Sue Keller Memorial Scholarship

University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign - School of Social Work

award

$6,000

deadline

Varies
See Details

Description

The Sue Keller Memorial Scholarship is available to graduate students enrolled in the School of Social Work at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign who are specializing in mental health.

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Sono Osato Scholarship for Graduate Studies

Career Transitions for Dancers

$5,000 Varies See Details

Description

The Sono Osato Scholarship for Graduate Studies is available to current and former dancers who are pursuing a graduate degree in a field other than performance dance. You must have already received the maximum amount from the Newhouse Scholarship fund and have a minimum GPA of 3.5 in order to qualify for this award.

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Sono Osato Scholarship for Graduate Studies

Career Transitions for Dancers

award

$5,000

deadline

Varies
See Details

Description

The Sono Osato Scholarship for Graduate Studies is available to current and former dancers who are pursuing a graduate degree in a field other than performance dance. You must have already received the maximum amount from the Newhouse Scholarship fund and have a minimum GPA of 3.5 in order to qualify for this award.

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School of Social Work Empowerment Scholarship - Saint Ambrose University

Saint Ambrose University

$5,000 Varies See Details

Description

The School of Social Work Empowerment Scholarship is available to students at Saint Ambrose University who are pursuing a master's degree in social work. You must be enrolled in at least nine credit hours and demonstrate financial need to be eligible for this award. Priority is given to first-generation college students and those from...

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School of Social Work Empowerment Scholarship - Saint Ambrose University

Saint Ambrose University

award

$5,000

deadline

Varies
See Details

Description

The School of Social Work Empowerment Scholarship is available to students at Saint Ambrose University who are pursuing a master's degree in social work. You must be enrolled in at least nine credit hours and demonstrate financial need to be eligible for this award. Priority is given to first-generation college students and those from...

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Mat-Su Health Foundation Vocational Scholarship

Mat-Su Health Foundation

Up to $5,000 Varies See Details

Description

The Mat-Su Health Foundation Vocational Scholarship is available to students who have been a resident within the Mat-Su Borough of Alaska for a minimum of one year. To be considered for this award, you must be pursuing studies in health and human services at a vocational/technical school and be a U.S. citizen/permanent resident.

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Mat-Su Health Foundation Vocational Scholarship

Mat-Su Health Foundation

award

Up to $5,000

deadline

Varies
See Details

Description

The Mat-Su Health Foundation Vocational Scholarship is available to students who have been a resident within the Mat-Su Borough of Alaska for a minimum of one year. To be considered for this award, you must be pursuing studies in health and human services at a vocational/technical school and be a U.S. citizen/permanent resident.

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Feinstein Scholarship

Providence College

Up to $5,000 Varies See Details

Description

The Feinstein Scholarship is available to students majoring in public and community service studies at Providence College. You must demonstrate a significant contribution to community service, a proven record of community involvement and a strong academic record to be considered for this award.

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Feinstein Scholarship

Providence College

award

Up to $5,000

deadline

Varies
See Details

Description

The Feinstein Scholarship is available to students majoring in public and community service studies at Providence College. You must demonstrate a significant contribution to community service, a proven record of community involvement and a strong academic record to be considered for this award.

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Columbus Rotary Scholarship in Honor of Judson S. Erne

Heritage Fund - the Community Foundation of Bartholomew County

Up to $5,000 Varies See Details

Description

The Columbus Rotary Scholarship in Honor of Judson S. Erne is available to graduating seniors at Bartholomew County high schools. You must plan to attend a post- secondary institution and pursue a degree in the following areas: education, divinity, nursing, or social work. Also, you must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 (4.0 scale) or 5.0 (12.0...

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Columbus Rotary Scholarship in Honor of Judson S. Erne

Heritage Fund - the Community Foundation of Bartholomew County

award

Up to $5,000

deadline

Varies
See Details

Description

The Columbus Rotary Scholarship in Honor of Judson S. Erne is available to graduating seniors at Bartholomew County high schools. You must plan to attend a post- secondary institution and pursue a degree in the following areas: education, divinity, nursing, or social work. Also, you must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 (4.0 scale) or 5.0 (12.0...

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Mur and Henry Taylor Scholarship in Social Work

University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign - School of Social Work

$3,900 Varies See Details

Description

The Mur and Henry Taylor Scholarship in Social Work is available to graduate students at the School of Social Work at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Preference will be given to non-traditional students returning to school to further their education and experience in the field of social work.

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Mur and Henry Taylor Scholarship in Social Work

University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign - School of Social Work

award

$3,900

deadline

Varies
See Details

Description

The Mur and Henry Taylor Scholarship in Social Work is available to graduate students at the School of Social Work at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Preference will be given to non-traditional students returning to school to further their education and experience in the field of social work.

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