Financial Assistance

The FSU College of Social Work makes every effort to assist well-qualified students in obtaining financial assistance through scholarships, grants, and graduate student assistantships. We also encourage all students to apply to the FSU Office of Financial Aid for university-administered aid. Students should carefully evaluate their capabilities for meeting living expenses and educational costs and arrange their financing through resources such as savings, part-time employment, agency and foundation stipends, and loans.

College of Social Work Scholarships (BSW, MSW & Ph.D.)

The College offers a variety of scholarships to graduate and undergraduate students.  Scholarship applications will be accepted between January 1 – February 28, 2024.  Please visit the FS4U website and complete both the General application and the College of Social Work application: fsu.academicworks.com.

Unless otherwise noted, disbursement of a College of Social Work scholarship is for the Fall 2024 term and is contingent on active enrollment in social work courses. Students who submitted a scholarship application during the 2024 application window will be notified during the Summer term if they have been selected to receive a scholarship.  Scholarship offers are sent electronically to the FSU student email address on file.

Questions about Social Work scholarships, FS4U, or the status of scholarship disbursements?
Contact: Naomi Molina at naomi.molina@fsu.edu.

Current CSW ScholarshipsFrequently Asked Questions

*Please note: Current FSU BSW students seeking CSW scholarships for the MSW program for Fall 2024, must also have a fully completed admissions application on file by February 28, 2024.

University Financial Aid Programs (BSW, MSW & Ph.D.)

All College of Social Work applicants for financial aid are also expected to apply to the FSU Office of Financial Aid. Direct questions to (850) 644-5871. All long-term loans are low-interest loans with repayment deferred until the student graduates, withdraws, or changes his/her status as a full-time student. Short-term loans are available for emergencies only and must be repaid within 90 days. The Office of Financial Aid also offers resources for finding a wide variety of scholarships here.

Federally Insured Loan Program (BSW, MSW & Ph.D.)

Through this arrangement, a student can obtain a loan through a bank or credit union and the Federal Government will provide the guarantee of the loan. The government will pay interest to the lender while the student is enrolled and for nine months following termination of studies. Loan repayment will begin nine months after a student terminates school. Applications take a minimum of six weeks to process after approval by the lending institution. For additional information, contact the FSU Office of Financial Aid. Visit their website at financialaid.fsu.edu.

Loan Forgiveness Program for Social Workers (BSW, MSW & Ph.D.)

This program is for social workers working in public or private nonprofit child or family service agencies providing services to high-risk children and families from low-income communities or social workers providing early intervention services to infants and toddlers with disabilities in public or private nonprofit agencies under IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act). This program is also available for teachers, nurses, law enforcement professionals. Click here for more information.

Florida State University Fellowships (BSW, MSW & Ph.D.)

Florida State University offers a variety of fellowships and grants, including university fellowships, presidential fellowships, college teaching fellowships and gubernatorial fellowships. Visit the Division of Undergraduate Studies Office of National Fellowships and The Graduate School’s Fellowships and Grants page for more information.

    College Work Study Program (BSW & MSW)

    The FSU Financial Aid Office administers this program, sponsored by the Federal Government. To be eligible, students must be enrolled full-time (a minimum of 12 hours) and in good academic standing. Students accepted to this program are assigned to work part-time as student assistants. Whenever possible, social work students are assigned to the College of Social Work. New students should apply by March 1. Click here for more information.

    Returning Student Scholarship (BSW & MSW)

    Through Florida State’s Center for Academic and Professional Development, these scholarships were established to provide financial assistance to deserving adults who wish to return to school on a part-time basis and are awarded based on meeting the established criteria. Click here for more information.

    College of Social Work Graduate Assistantships & Tuition (Matriculation) Waiver (MSW)

    Graduate Assistantship opportunities and Tuition Waivers are awarded to select full-time students of the MSW program at the Tallahassee Main Campus.

    Prospective Students

    For prospective students to apply and be considered for a graduate assistantship and matriculation waiver for the Fall 2025, they will need to submit a completed MSW program application (including submitted letters of recommendation) by January 15, 2025. For prospective MSW students who submitted a program application by January 15th and subsequently are offered regular graduate admission for full-time enrollment at the Tallahassee Campus in the Fall 2025, they will be asked to complete a brief application for consideration of a Graduate Assistantship role. Graduate Assistantship opportunities provide graduate students to work in a role related to their degree, and could include opportunities within the College of Social Work and greater University. Typically, graduate assistants work 10-20 hours weekly and receive a minimum of $23.97/hour (rates can vary). These opportunities are limited. If awarded, students are responsible for remaining tuition costs and fees; the tuition waiver will cover the matriculation cost for the number of credit hours noted in the offer letter. 

    Currently Enrolled Students

    For currently enrolled MSW students, we encourage you to network with faculty members and the research institutes and centers within the College of Social Work to see about any graduate assistantship opportunities. You can review the Research Overview page on the website to gain greater insight on research projects by faculty and the centers/institutes: csw.fsu.edu/faculty-research-overview.

    If you have questions about graduate assistantships/tuition waivers, please e-mail Fran Gomory at fgomory@fsu.edu. 

    City Year Alumni Scholarship (MSW)

    City Year and Florida State University College of Social Work partnered to offer a nine graduate credit hours tuition waiver. Two scholarships are awarded annually to City Year alumni.  Recipients of scholarships must be full-time students. As such, only individuals pursuing the full-time MSW program at the Tallahassee Main Campus are eligible to apply. Click here for more information. To be considered for the City Year Alumni Scholarship, please email a copy of your service verification letter to Fran Gomory at fgomory@fsu.edu. The College of Social Work will need to receive a completed MSW program application (including letters of recommendation), and an emailed copy of your service verification by January 15, 2025 to be considered for a Fall 2025 award. 

    City Year Tuition Scholarship Application Deadline: 
    Fall Term - January 15

    Applicants are encouraged to apply far in advance of the posted deadline as these are competitive awards. 

    If you have questions about your City Year tuition scholarship application, please e-mail Fran Gomory at fgomory@fsu.edu.

    U.S. Peace Corps Coverdell Fellowship (MSW)

    The U.S. Peace Corps and Florida State University College of Social Work partnered to offer the Coverdell Fellowship, a credit hours tuition waiver for Returned Peace Corps Volunteers. Recipients of scholarships must be full-time students. Click here for more information. To be considered for the Peace Corps Coverdell Fellowship, please email a copy of your description of service to Fran Gomory at fgomory@fsu.edu. The College of Social Work will need to receive a completed MSW program application (including letters of recommendation), and an emailed copy of your service verification by January 15, 2025 to be considered for a Fall 2025 award. 

    Coverdell Fellowship Application Deadline: 
    Fall Term - January 15

    Applicants are encouraged to apply far in advance of the posted deadline as these are competitive awards. 

    If you have questions about your Coverdell Fellowship consideration, please e-mail Fran Gomory at fgomory@fsu.edu.

    Funded Support for Doctoral Students (Ph.D.)

    Doctoral students often have a number of opportunities for grant-funded work. Experienced faculty members invite students to work on their funded research projects as Research Assistants, providing invaluable research experience. Students frequently find dissertation topics in these research experiences. The doctoral program is delivered through instruction at the Tallahassee Main Campus and provides four years of guaranteed funding to all admitted students. Doctoral students will hold a research assistantship for the first two years and a teaching assistantship in addition to the research for the third and fourth years. These four years of guaranteed funding currently provide a tuition matriculation waiver, an annual stipend of $21, 450 for a .375 (15 hours weekly) graduate assistantship, and a health insurance subsidy for University-sponsored plans. Many students will seek funding for the years beyond, if necessary, by engaging in ongoing research and teaching opportunities. 

    Fellowships for Minorities and Women (MSW & Ph.D.)

    The Graduate School at FSU offers fellowships for minorities and women. Additional minority fellowship opportunities include:

    Additional Funding Opportunities for Graduate Students (MSW & Ph.D.)

    The Graduate School at Florida State University maintains an extensive list of funding opportunities for graduate students. Click here to learn more.