Obtaining an MSW is an expensive and time consuming process, the UW School of Social Work provides various types of funding to students. However, we highly recommend looking for external funding in addition to any departmental fellowships and federal loans you may receive. Please connect with our office if you have additional questions.
International Student Services
Provides support for University of Washington international students so that they may reach their educational goals.
Financial Assistance for International Students
Provides an overview of options of assistance that is not regulated under the state for international students. Many organizations, corporations, and other institutions provide funding for students for foreign study.
PEO Sisterhood — PEO International Peace Scholarship Fund
Provides scholarships to women who are citizens of all countries except the US and/or Canada. Recipients must promise to carry out graduate studies in US and/or Canada, and to return to their own country to pursue a career. A maximum award of $5,000 can only be renewed twice.
The Veterans Center is a place for veterans to connect with other veterans. In addition, the center provides access to university resources specifically designed for veterans. It provides a place where veterans can find and build their community within the university.
Please visit the VA certifying officials located in the Veterans Center. They are a great resource to guide you through the complex process of receiving your benefits.
You are eligible to receive a waiver of your tuition and fees (50% of in-state rate)* if you are a Washington domiciliary who was an active or reserve member of the United States military or naval forces, or a national guard member called to active duty, who served in active federal service, under either the Title 10 or Title 32 of the United States code, in a war or conflict fought on foreign soil or in international waters or in another location in support of those serving on foreign soil or in international waters, and if discharged from service, has received an honorable discharge.
NWSA Graduate Lesbian Caucus Scholarship
Award provides financial assistance to graduate students doing research in lesbian studies. The candidate must be doing research for or writing a masters thesis or PhD dissertation in lesbian studies. Preference is given to candidates who are members in the National Women's Studies Association. The scholarship amount is $500 per year. Application.
Greater Seattle Business Association (GSBA) Scholarship Fund
The GSBA Scholarship Fund awards scholarships to LGBTQ and allied students who exhibit leadership potential, demonstrate strong academic abilities, and are actively involved in school and community organizations. Scholarships range up to $13,000 annually and are meant to provide significant support as students pursue their educational goals. Applications open annually on National Coming Out Day, October 11.
EDUMED Scholarships & Resources for Transgender College Students
EduMed.org connects students with the best and most affordable higher education programs in the medical and allied health fields. This scholarship and resource guide is designed to help transgender students find the resources they need to make their dreams a reality. It looks at academic and career tools, discusses options for social support and networking, and outlines a few financial aid options. The scholarships listed are particularly useful because they are open to transgender students interested in earning a degree in any field, including healthcare.
American Indian Graduate Center
Offers graduate fellowships for American Indian and Alaskan Native students. Must be an enrolled member of a federally recognized American Indian tribe, Alaskan Native group or 1/4 degree Indian blood who is in need of financial aid and has applied for federal financial and campus based aid. The applicant must be a fulltime student pursuing a Masters or PHD.
The Gates Millennium Scholars
The nation’s largest minority scholarship program, the Gates Millennium Scholars Program (GMS). High school students only.
Association of American Indian Affairs (AAIA)
Scholarships range from $100 to $5,000
HIAS Scholarship Awards: Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society
For HIAS-assisted refugees and their children who arrived in the United States.
Indian Health Service Scholarship Program (IHSSP)
Scholarships for Native Students going into health related professions.
National Association of Black Social Workers
Students must be African American and express research interests on African Americans.
The Hispanic Scholarship Fund
The Hispanic Scholarship Fund’s (HSF) mission is to strengthen America by advancing the college education of Hispanic Americans. We deliver a range of programs to Hispanic families and students through community outreach and education, affordability via scholarships, college retention and career opportunities.
Verne LaMarr Lyons Memorial Scholarship
Students must demonstrate an interest or experience in health/mental health practice and a commitment to working in communities where African Americans reside. Eligible students must be enrolled full-time and have achieved academic status of a 3.0 grade point average (GPA) or above.
William Randolph Hearst
The Nonprofit Sector Research Fund, a grant making program of the Aspen Institute in Washington, DC, annually offers the William Randolph Hearst Endowed Scholarship. The scholarship, which is based on academic excellence and need, is open to both undergraduate and graduate students who are members of minority groups. The Hearst Scholar serves as a summer intern with the Fund. Through this program, the Fund seeks to introduce a diverse group of students to issues relating to philanthropy, voluntarism, and nonprofit organizations. Recipients may arrange with their colleges or universities to receive academic credit for this experience. A scholarship grant of between $2,500 and $5,000 will be awarded, depending on the recipient’s educational level, financial need, and time commitment. A letter of interest, resume, transcript, a letter from the appropriate college or university financial aid officer certifying demonstrated financial need, and two letters of reference should be sent.
Atsuhiko Tateuchi Memorial Scholarship
This $5,000 renewable scholarship is available to students from the Pacific Rim states of California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska and Hawaii; preference will be given to students of Japanese or other Asian ancestry, including multi-ethnic Asians.
Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program
The Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program (NHHSP) addresses access to health care by developing a Native Hawaiian health care workforce of professionals committed to serve the unique health needs of Hawaiian communities. The program recruits and nurtures professionals in-training for primary health care disciplines and specialties most needed to deliver quality, culturally competent health services to Native Hawaiians throughout the State of Hawai‘i.This merit-based program awards generous scholarships to eligible individuals that are dedicated to providing primary health services to Native Hawaiians and their families in Hawai‘i.Recipients are obligated to serve full-time in medically un- or under-served areas in Hawai‘i for two (minimum) to four (maximum) years, depending upon the length of time of scholarship support.Scholars will receive funding for tuition, books, other related educational costs, and a monthly stipend while enrolled “full-time” in an accredited university/college program. A coordinated service plan (licensure, service site) will be designed specifically for each graduate.
Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf Scholarship Program
Applicants must be auditory-oral students born with a profound hearing loss or a severe hearing loss and must have experienced such a loss before acquiring language.
National Federation of the Blind Scholarships
Awards a broad array of scholarships to recognize achievement by blind scholars. All applicants for these scholarships must be (a) legally blind and (b) pursuing or planning to pursue a full-time post-secondary course of study in the United States, except that one scholarship may be given to a full-time employee also attending school part-time. In addition to these restrictions, some scholarships have been further restricted by the donor. The scholarship award is $3,000 - $12,000.
Scholarship for Women with Disabilities
The Ethel Louise Armstrong (ELA) Foundation Scholarship provides financial assistance to women with physical disabilities who are enrolled in a college or university graduate program in the United States. ELA Scholarship awards are based on merit and are given in an objective and nondiscriminatory basis. Each applicant is required to submit an application packet including an application form, a college transcript, two letters of academic recommendation, a medical verification form, and an essay outlining how they will "Change the Face of Disability on the Planet." Scholarships range from $500 to $2,000 per year.
Scholarships for Students with Disabilities
This guide helps students with with disabilities find scholarships and other financial aid resources to help with college costs.
UW Funding Resources for Students with Disabilities Provides multiple funding opportunities and resources for students with disabilities.
American Association of University Women (AAUW)
Due to the longstanding, generous contributions of AAUW members, a broader community of women continues to gain access to educational and economic opportunities - breaking through barriers so that all women have a fair chance. Award amounts will vary.
Scholarship for Women with Disabilities
The Ethel Louise Armstrong (ELA) Foundation Scholarship provides financial assistance to women with physical disabilities who are enrolled in a college or university raduate program in the United States. ELA Scholarship awards are based on merit and are given in an objective and nondiscriminatory basis. Each applicant is required to submit an application packet including an application form, a college transcript, two letters of academic recommendation, a medical verification form, and an essay outlining how they will *Change the Face of Disability on the Planet.* Scholarships range from $500 to $2,000 per year.
To support and honor female graduate students of medicine, law or social and public services. This scholarship is available to students who have completed at least one year of graduate work.
Immigrants Rising provides life-changing financial support that enables undocumented young people to overcome systemic barriers. Their site hosts a resource list for variety of scholarships with special focus on those that do not require US citizenship. Check out this list of Graduate fellowships for 2021 that don't require proof of citizenship or legal permanent residency compiled by Immigrants Rising.
Leadership Without Borders (LWB) was created with Undocumented Students in mind and with the mission to serve as a launch pad for students’ leadership, a space for community building, and a connection point for awareness as well as to resources and services for undocumented students.
Award scholarships ranging from $500 to $1000 to scholars pursuing academic excellence in higher education. Funds community programs and student organizations dedicated to the civic empowerment in the Latino community.
Walter H. Meyer – Garry L. White Memorial Scholarship
This $5,000 scholarship is available to non-traditional students working towards an undergraduate (must be over 24 years old) or graduate (must be over 30 years old) degree.
Nora Stone Smith Scholarship for ESL/ELL Students
The purpose of the Nora Stone Smith Scholarship is to honor and to give financial support to deserving high school seniors and students who have graduated in the past year and have participated in an ESL/ELL program at some point in their lives. This scholarship is open to students who have graduated within the past year. This scholarship is available for all ESL/ELL students, regardless of their citizenship status.
Social Work License Map provides a comprehensive list of scholarships available to social work students.