Students must meet the following criteria to be eligible for a WDI grant.
- Demonstrated financial need—All applicants must demonstrate financial need as indicated by completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) for current academic year.
- Applicant of the UW School of Social Work MSW Program—All applicants must have submitted their application for the UW School of Social Work MSW program prior to submitting their WDI grant applications. Students may apply for either the MSW Day, Advanced Standing or Extended Degree programs and must be committed to studying in one of the clinical social work specializations.
- Current UW-Seattle EDP students entering their second year in the fall of 2024 may also apply for a WDI scholarship. Please note that all current MSW students must have two years left in their academic program to apply.
- Ability to obtain post-graduation employment at an eligible community-based behavioral health agency in Washington state.
- Ability to maintain legal residency in Washington state for at least three years following graduation.
NOTE: In and out-of-state students with DACA status are eligible to apply and must complete the WASFA. International students should consider the duration and type of visa they hold prior to applying. Most international students will not have guaranteed work authorization after their education visa has expired. In these cases, it is not advised to apply.
We are not currently accepting applications for the Workforce Development Initiative. Please check back in January 2025 for any changes.