Scholarships & Funding
The School of Social Welfare has several sources of financial assistance available for BSW, MSW and PhD students who meet various criteria.
Scholarship & Funding Opportunities
$537,000 in scholarships were awarded to 45% of School of Social Welfare students in the 2022-2023 academic year.
Scholarship & FAFSA Deadlines
School of Social Welfare Scholarships
The University of Kansas School of Social Welfare has several sources of financial assistance available to BSW, MSW and PhD students who meet various criteria. Awards are made on an annual basis and are applied directly towards tuition and fees in most instances.
All students interested in applying are required to submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as well as a School of Social Welfare application by March 1. All recipients are expected to maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0. Students must renew their applications each year they wish to be considered.
These awards are made possible through the generous support of friends and alumni of the School of Social Welfare and the KU Endowment Association.
Scholars Programs
Added value opportunities that provide students with unique experiences and additional funding.
Scholars Programs
Sigler Family Aging Scholars Program
Toni Johnson Scholars for Racial & Social Justice Program
Integrated Health Scholars Program
Toni Johnson Racial & Social Justice Dissertation Award
Emergency Funding
The School's Emergency Fund helps students who experience unexpected needs.
"The School of Social Welfare’s Emergency Fund serves as a lifeline to students in need of financial assistance. This donation is the personification of one of the six core values social workers possess: recognizing the importance of human relationships."
In 2018, the School of Social Welfare established the Emergency Fund to help students who experience an unexpected financial need. Many don’t know where to turn and, without support, would be forced to take a break from school or drop out completely.
Since the fund's creation, the School has helped students with a range of items from assistance with rent, utility bills, car maintenance, technology needs, etc. In 2021-2022, the School of Social Welfare awarded more than $84,000 in emergency aid.
A special thank you goes out to alum, Eric Sigler, for his generous donations toward the Emergency Fund.
Guaranteed Funding for PhD & Dissertation Award Opportunities
Graduate Student Travel Funding
Graduate students in the School of Social Welfare can apply for financial support for travel to professional development events.
Graduate Studies Student Travel Financial Support Policy
NOTE: This policy differs from the School of Social Welfare’s PhD Travel Funding Support Policy. This policy pertains to annual funding the School receives from Graduate Studies to support graduate student travel for professional development. The policy and procedures describe here reflect Graduate Studies requirements for eligible use and reporting of those funds.
Graduate students in the School of Social Welfare can apply for financial support for travel to professional development events. There is a limit of $500 per applicant up to two times during their graduate career. Travel support is limited to eligible students and events described below and contingent upon available funding.
Eligibility
- Applications can only be accepted for travel that will happen in the future.
- Students must be enrolled at least half-time (find the Graduate Studies full time enrollment policy in the Policy Library) at the time of travel. In the case of summer travel, the student must plan to enroll the following Fall semester.
- Funding is only available for students at the Lawrence or Edwards campus.
- Travel must be to a conference, workshop, or other professional development opportunity. Workshops must be justified as related to field of study or professional development.
Awarding and Reporting
Award funds must either be used or encumbered before April 30, each year, with a travel date before May 31, each year. The Graduate Scholarly Presentation Travel award follows the university's travel policies and procedures. Find the travel policies and procedures on the KU Travel Services webpage. The School’s Budget Director must submit annually a list of students awarded, student ID number, and date of travel to be eligible for yearly Travel Funds. This information is submitted to graduateawards@ku.edu.
Application
Applicants must provide proof of presentation, acceptance, and/or attendance at a conference, workshop, or other professional development opportunity. As applicable, a one-page abstract of the research that is being presented and/or justification of how the conference or workshop is related to field of study of professional development must be provided in PDF format. Application information should be provided to your (MSW or PhD) Program Director. If approved, the student will receive information regarding making travel arrangements and KU requirements for travel authorization. Applications will be awarded on a first-come/first-served until funds are exhausted. There is a limit of $500 per applicant up to two times during their graduate career.