Various forms of financial aid, scholarships, and graduate assistantships are available to MSW students.
First, applicants demonstrate financial need by completing the FAFSA. FAFSA forms are available at the University Financial Aid Office (Lower Level, Center Building). Applicants may also complete the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.edu.gov The University Financial Aid Office is an important resource.
Graduate students may apply for graduate assistantships within the University. Application forms for graduate assistantships are available through the Provost’s Office. Students may also apply for Work Study funds that will pay the students an hourly rate for engaging in their MSW Field assignments. See the Director of Field and/or the MSW Program liaison in Financial Aid for more information.
In addition to these sources, here are several sources of financial assistance for MSW graduate students:
The Milanof, Koo, and We Can Scholarships are based upon financial need and other factors
The Johnson Fund supports a faculty-determined award for the best research/policy-level Culminating Project of a Concentration Year student
The University Graduate Scholarship is focused upon leadership abilities
The Marie Cummings Emergency Loan Fund is an emergency no interest loan fund for social work students
The Marie V. & Michael Cummings BSSW to MSW Scholarship Fund awards money to Spalding BSSW graduates accepted into the Spalding MSW Program
The HRSA Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students provides scholarships equivalent to one-half of tuition costs to students with financial need in order to promote diversity among health profession students and practitioner.
SUSTAIN—University Emergency Assistance Fund
To apply: Complete the Application for Graduate Social Work Scholarships, and provide a one page essay for each scholarship sought. (Forms provided in application packet, available on-line, and distributed at Orientation.)
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Lillian C. Milanof Scholarship Fund
Established in 1998, the “Lillian C Milanof Scholarship Fund” at Spalding University is administered through the School of Social Work. This scholarship is awarded to graduate students enrolled in the University’s social work program whose interests reflect a desire to work with a diversity of family forms and who plan to pursue a career in social work. In addition, students must meet the University’s
established academic standards for scholarship aid.
Awards will be a minimum of $500. Applications are prioritized and funds are distributed based upon academic merit and financial need as determined by Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Upon selection of the recipients by representatives of the School of Social Work and approval of the scholarship committee, the University will notify Ms. Lillian Milanof of the names of the recipients.
Applications due by August 30. Notification of award by September 30.
Koo Social Work Scholarship Fund
Established in 2008, in honor of Dr. Benjamin and Gretchen Koo to help support the mission of Spalding University and social work students, this fund will provide for tuition, books and/or other expenses and will be awarded annually. Students must meet three criteria:
1. Demonstrated financial need as determined by FAFSA 2. Undergraduate or graduate student in good standing 3. Majoring in Social Work
Awards will be approximately $200 per student. Applications are prioritized and funds are distributed based upon academic merit and financial need as determined by Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Upon selection of the recipients by representatives of the School of Social Work and approval of the scholarship committee, the University will notify Dr. Benjamin Koo of the names of the recipients. Applications due by August 30. Notification of award by September 30.
We Can Scholarship Fund
The “We Can” Scholarship was begun by the School of Social Work MSW Alumni in 2012. The
scholarship was inspired by the father of a MSW graduate from the Spalding University School of Social Work who put his children through college using money he raised by collecting cans and selling them to recycling companies. This “Can Do” spirit imbues all of our students, who pursue their education in order to serve the community.
The “We Can” Scholarship recipient selection is based on three criteria: (1) Enrolled in or entering the BSSW or MSW program at Spalding University; (2) Demonstrated financial need, as determined by the FAFSA; (3) Background of rising above adversity to pursue their educational goals, as demonstrated in a brief essay.
Selection of the student(s) will be the responsibility of the School of Social Work, with input from Alumni representatives. The We Can Scholarship will provide funds to underwrite the student’s tuition, books, or fees. The scholarship will be credited to the student(s) account. The scholarship is not intended to be renewable. The scholarship is supported through fund-raising efforts (such as recycling cans) and donations by alumni and friends. The scholarship shall be awarded as funds are available.
Applications due by August 30. Notification of award by September 30.
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Knowlton and Jillian Johnson Social Work Scholarship Award
See description in Awards section (above). Nominations by faculty due by May 15. Notification of award by graduation or upon selection.
University Graduate Scholarship Fund
Each year Spalding University allots a certain amount of funds to each School in the University. The School of Social Work determines the focus and eligibility requirements for these funds. The criteria for this scholarship include: (a) demonstrated financial need and (b) evidence of leadership and service.
Applications due by August 30. Notification time frame determined by the Office of the Provost.
Marie Cummings Emergency Loan Fund
The Marie Cummings Loan Fund at Spalding University is an emergency, zero-interest loan fund established by Patricia Cummings and Jillian Johnson, faculty members in the School of Social Work, in honor of Marie V. Cummings. Throughout her life, Marie Cummings exemplified a strong commitment to education and to helping others obtain educational opportunities. The fund is intended to provide emergency financial assistance to qualified graduate students at Spalding University.
Eligible students should be enrolled full time in graduate studies at Spalding University and be in need of an emergency loan up to $500. However, the loan committee may elect to provide funds to an
undergraduate student at Spalding under special circumstances and/or extend beyond $500 if needed.
Assistance is granted in the form of a zero-interest loan that should be repaid within two years after graduation, in order for the fund to continue to provide assistance to future Spalding students. To apply for a loan from the Marie V. Cummings Fund, request an application from the Social Work office. The MSW Director and Chair will review requests for assistance.
The Marie V. & Michael Cummings BSSW to MSW Scholarship Fund
This scholarship awards up to three scholarships of $1,000 each to promising BSSW graduates who wish to pursue their MSW at SU, but who face financial challenges in paying tuition. Recipients will be identified and selected by the SW Chair, a member of the BSSW faculty, and a member of the MSW faculty. Recipients shall meet the donor during the academic year of their award.
The HRSA Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students
Funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration, this 4-year grant provides scholarships up to one-half tuition costs to full-time MSW students with financial need from disadvantaged backgrounds to promote diversity among health profession students and practitioners. To be eligible to receive funding students must be full-time, must have submitted a FAFSA for the academic year, must be willing to complete program fieldwork/practicum requirements in medically underserved communities (MUC) and students must be committed to post-degree career paths working with underserved populations in primary care settings. To apply for this scholarship check our website for information on application due dates.
48 SUSTAIN
The Spalding University Student Assistance Initiative (SUSTAIN), an emergency financial assistance program, helps Spalding University provide assistance to students at risk of dropping out due to
unexpected financial dilemmas. Whether it’s tending to a health care bill or a sudden reduction in work hours, unforeseen crises contribute to high rates of attrition among college students. They also impact college completion rates and, ultimately, pose a challenge to securing a better financial future. The ongoing charitable support of alumni, students, faculty and staff makes the SUSTAIN program possible.
As funding is limited, not all requests for funding can be approved. Please note that funding cannot be used to pay off debt owed to Spalding University. Contact the Office of Student Development and Campus Life for more information and to apply.