Quality Metrics Allocation/Chancellor's Graduate Fellowship: The Department of Social Work has a limited number of Quality Metrics Allocation/Chancellor's Graduate Fellowship funds available. Awards are based upon academic merit and the potential to contribute to the diversity of the social work program. Only full time students (6 or more credits) are awarded the fellowship. Award decisions are made by the Admissions Committee.

Will Dodge Memorial Fund Award: This award was established to support students with experience, expertise, and long-term interests in grass roots community organizing. Community organizing activities could include locality development, social planning, or social action. Grass roots organizing refers to working directly with vulnerable or under served populations to achieve goals identified by that community.

Awards of $1000 to a maximum of $1,500 will be available for the 2013-2014 academic year. Application deadline is April 8, 2013. Click on link for information about the application.

Clinical Scholars Program: The UMD MSW program is one of 20 recipients across the country to receive a Mental and Behavioral Health Education and Training Grant (MBHETG). Students in the Clinical Scholars Program will be awarded clinical field placement stipends of $10,000 for each required field placement. Clinical Scholars will also be offered opportunities to learn about interdisciplinary clinical practice.

Students will be required to sign a Memorandum of Agreement, outlining the requirements for becoming a mental health stipend recipient. Requirements will include:

• completing required MSW clinical coursework and training,
• completing required MSW field placements in a clinical setting with high need, high demand populations with a particular emphasis on American Indian, rural and health care professionals shortage areas, and
• after graduation with an MSW degree, pursuing employment in the field of mental and behavioral health in mental health professional shortage areas and particularly with one or more of the following populations; rural, American Indian, and veterans and their families.

Eligible students are full-time Advanced Standing or Standard Program students who are:

• willing and able to do clinical field placement(s) with high need, high demand populations and
• are committed to clinical practice with these same populations after graduating with an MSW degree.

Part-time students are not eligible for the Clinical Scholars Program.

After a student is admitted into the UMD MSW program they are eligible to apply to the Clinical Scholars Program.  This program is competitive and involves both an electronic application and a formal interview. Student selection will be based upon

• level of commitment (as expressed through essays and an interview) to clinical practice with high need, high demand populations with a particular emphasis on American Indian, rural and health care professional shortage areas,
• experience with high need, high demand populations with a particular emphasis on American Indian, rural and health care professional shortage areas (employment and volunteer),
• previous academic performance,
• and other means by which they express a commitment to clinical social work practice with the identified populations.

Child Welfare Scholars Program: The UMD Title IV-E Child Welfare Scholars Program is available to MSW students through collaboration with the Minnesota Department of Human Services. The primary goals of the stipends are to:

• Reach out to practitioners in county and tribal child welfare agencies, recruit them to return to school and obtain an MSW, and provide financial support for them to do so.
• Encourage others entering the MSW program to commit to beginning a career in public or tribal child welfare by offering financial support and excellent, relevant educational opportunities.
• Provide graduate-level educational opportunities that prepare scholars to be culturally competent child welfare practitioners.

Students receive a financial stipend that can be used to cover a portion of tuition. In return, graduates who receive this fellowship are required to seek, and if available, accept employment in public or tribal child welfare services for a period of time. Other requirements include completing field placements in county or tribal child welfare agencies, completing curriculum requirements specific to child welfare practice, and completing a final project on a child welfare topic.

More complete information about the Child Welfare Scholars Program is available in the Child Welfare Scholar Handbook located on the Department of Social Work website.

Graduate School Awards: A limited number of fellowships and scholarships are available through the Graduate School. Please check their web site at: http://www.grad.umn.edu/fellowships/

Diversity of Views and Experiences (DOVE) Fellowships 2013-2014: The Graduate School Diversity Office administers the DOVE fellowship. The fellowship is awarded to approximately 20 first-year students from under-represented groups (U.S. citizens or permanent residents). The fellowship provides a $22,500 stipend, tuition at regular graduate school rates (up to 14 credits per semester), and subsidized health insurance for one academic year. Graduate programs must nominate prospective students by the deadline, usually early February. Students who wish to be nominated should contact Rita Ohman, Student Support Assistant, at rohman@d.umn.edu by December 1, 2013. For more information, visit the Office for Diversity in Graduate Education (ODGE) web site at https://diversity.umn.edu/gradeducation/dove

The Graduate School of the University of Minnesota has designated at least two of its DOVE fellowships McNair Scholars are encouraged to be awarded to McNair Scholars. McNair Scholars are ideal candidates for the DOVE Fellowship since they meet the DOVE Fellowship definition of diversity of views and experiences.

Carol E. Macpherson Memorial Scholarship was established in Carol's memory to assist "non-traditional" women in completing their education at the University of Minnesota. Scholarships are one-time awards and range from $1,000-$6,000. Deadline is 4:30pm on the 1st Friday in June. Please see website for eligibility, application process and more detailed information.

Dr. Nancy "Rusty" Barcelo' Scholarship assists University of Minnesota women students with financial need in completing their education at the University, with special focus on women of color, new immigrants, and first generation college students. Scholarships are one-time awards and range from $1,000-4,000 for the academic year. Deadline is 4:30pm on the 1st Friday in June. Please see website for eligibility, application process and more detailed information.

Students Loans: Graduate students are eligible to apply for the federally insured loan programs. Information on the loans may be obtained from:

UMD ONE STOP Student Services; Solon Campus Center, Room 23; 1049 University Drive; Duluth, MN 55812

Website: http://www.d.umn.edu/fareg/

UMD MSW Scholarship Information

External Sources for Scholarship Opportunities