MSW Financial Assistance
There are several ways you might receive financial aid to support your study in the MSW program.
Graduate Assistantships
The Social Work assistantships require 13 hours per week of work with assigned faculty or administrative staff. In return, tuition is reduced to $25 whether you are an in-state or out-of-state student, and summer tuition is free! In addition, you receive a stipend of $10,100 per year. All assistantship awards require students to be registered for 12 hours for the semester in which they receive the awards (fall/spring). Assistantships are awarded based on a combination of financial need and academic achievement.
Other Assistantships
Sometimes assistantships are available in fields related to faculty-based contracts and grants.
Child Welfare Grants
These grants are available to employees of the Georgia Department of Family and Children Services, who can commit to working in Child Protective Services after graduation. Child Welfare Grants pay for tuition and for some supplies and travel. For more information, contact Dr. Alberta Ellett at aellett@uga.edu or call 706-542-1090.
Small awards are available from the following funds after admission is granted. Students enrolled in the program will be given the opportunity to apply for the following:
- The Kathryn S. Bigham Scholarship Fund: For international students and others with financial need
- James D. Horne Scholarship Fund: Preference for students interested in working with the homeless
- Pauline Durant Lide Scholarship Fund: Based on financial need and academic excellence
- Joe and Diane Perno Scholarship Fund: For superior students seeking assistance in completing the MSW
- Heather Christina Wright Memorial Scholarship: Preference for students interested in dedicating their lives to working with cancer patients and their families. Financial need is a secondary consideration.
The Graduate School of the University of Georgia makes available the following opportunities for individuals who have been admitted:
- University Wide Assistantship: Thirteen hours of work per week is required. Free tuition for in-state and out-of-state students, plus a $10,100 stipend. Demonstrated academic excellence is required. Special talents are considered.
- Phelps-Stokes Fellowship: For scientific study of the role of people of African-origin in American civilization.
- Regents' Waivers of Out-of-State tuition: Based on academic qualifications and recommendation of the School of Social Work. Reduction to in-state tuition; renewable.
- Regents' Opportunity Scholarship: $5000 per year; renewable. For Georgia residents only. Based on economic disadvantage.
- Hamilton Lokey Graduate Scholarship: This award is for newly enrolled graduate students who established outstanding academic records as undergraduate students at UGA. The recipient receives $4,000 during the 2005-2006 academic year (non-renewable). This is in addition to other funding he/she may already be receiving as a TA or RA. There is no service requirement attached to this award.
How to apply for financial aid:
All applications are coordinated by the School of Social Work. Complete the Graduate Assistantship form in the MSW packet for all financial aid and attach a supplementary letter for other awards. The letter should state which scholarship, assistantships, or grants you want to be considered for. Send to: Office of Admissions; School of Social Work; University of Georgia; Athens, GA; 30602-7016. For additional questions, call 706-542-5421 or email at mswadm@uga.edu. Students must have completed all paperwork and been officially accepted into the Graduate School for their assistantship applications to be considered.
A few of our students obtain part time positions within the university. Flexibility of hours is required. For a list of available position please visit www.uga.edu/career.
