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Updated: March 6, 2025

Social Work Scholarships

Want to make a difference in the world? Majoring in social work, counseling or human development and family studies is a huge step in the right direction – in your career and in the lives of the people that need your help.

Continue reading the article below the scholarship list.

25 Social Work Scholarships with Approaching Deadlines

  • 1

  • Melanie Foundation Scholarship

  • Amount$10,000
  • DeadlineMarch 5, 2026

The Melanie Foundation Scholarship is a $2,500 scholarship to be awarded to a candidate pursuing a doctoral or master’s degree in the mental health field. The scholarship will be awarded to a candidate for one year. Candidates may reapply for additional years. Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria: Currently enrolled in a graduate program majoring in the mental health field in

  • 2

  • Maryland Graduate and Professional School Scholarship Program

  • Amount$5,000
  • DeadlineVaries

The Graduate & Professional Scholarship Program offers financial assistance to graduate and professional students pursuing degrees in fields like dentistry, law, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, social work, and veterinary medicine. Maryland residents who demonstrate financial need are encouraged to apply for this scholarship to support their educational expenses. Scholarship Details Awarded

Social workers typically specialize in four areas: 1. children, family and school; 2. mental health and substance abuse; 3. medical and public health; and 4. policy and planning. There are specific college class requirements for each – some majors will take more psychology and economics courses while others will focus on biology and speech – and these concentrations can be further customized with a second major like a foreign language. After college, there will be employment opportunities available to those with a bachelor’s degree but for most, a master’s or doctorate is required. What does that mean to you as a student? That’s right: Additional years of education to fund.

The good news is that there are countless social work scholarships and grants out there for social workers to-be. These are available at the university level (NYU’s Silver School of Social Work awards social work scholarships to 95 percent of its full-time students) and at the professional level (the Council on Social Work Education and the National Association of Social Workers offer financial aid and support to their members), as well as from a number of local organizations. Scroll down to view some of the social work scholarships listed in the Scholarships.com database or conduct your own free scholarship search to find even more opportunities to help you pay for school.