Master of Social Work scholarship opportunities

Ballmer Behavioral Health Scholarship

Partner universities in Washington are pleased to announce the Washington State Behavioral Health Workforce Development Initiative’s Ballmer Behavioral Health Scholarship Program, a conditional grants program. Individuals applying to or enrolled in accredited counseling, marriage and family therapy, and social work graduate programs in central, eastern, and western Washington who have a commitment to working in the behavioral health field are invited to apply.

The Washington State Behavioral Health Workforce Development Initiative (WDI) invests heavily in the potential of the future human services workforce—students—as a powerful force for systems change. The Ballmer Behavioral Health Scholarship Program is designed to attract highly committed, capable, and diverse cohorts of students who will enter key professional roles in the state’s behavioral health sector—debt‐free or substantially debt‐relieved. After graduation, students commit to working at a community behavioral health agency in Washington state.

The Washington State Behavioral Health Workforce Development Initiative is centered around services provided in community behavioral health agencies and at tribal health centers addressing their unique workforce demands. See the following highlights:

• Must obtain Washington state residency by the time your program begins. Open to those who are a US citizen or have legal documentation to work in Washington state.
• Placement at an approved community behavioral health agency is required.
• Students should plan to commit to working in the field at an approved Ballmer site post-graduation. For three years as a regular standing student and one and a half years for advanced standing students.
• Awards up to $51,500 over two years, amount disbursed to a Master of Social Work student varies on financial need shown.
• Apply online after completing your MSW application.
• Limited opportunity, funding support provided through 25-26 school year. Apply now to an approved program and start the process early.

Workforce for Student Well-Being (WSW) School Social Work Conditional Scholarship

The Workforce for Student Well-being (WSW) Initiative is working to ensure that all K-12 students in Washington state can thrive, through access to well-trained social work professionals who can support student’s mental health needs. The WSW Initiative prepares graduate social work students to work in high-need public and tribal schools and advances the careers of skilled social work professionals through training, mentorship, and financial support.

Program highlights

• Earn up to $30,000 to offset master’s degree expenses
• Serve your community and advance your career.
• Learn skills necessary to serve K-12 students with mental health needs
• Be part of a community of practice focused on evidence-based school mental health and inclusionary practices.
• Lead school-wide prevention and social-emotional learning programming in high-need public schools, while networking with fellow students and mentors from across the state and receive support in career placement.

Eligibility

• Applicants must be accepted into the Master of Social Work program,
• Demonstrate a passion for school mental health,
• Be committed to working in high-need public or tribal schools in Washington State following graduation.

WSW scholars will

• Be placed in high-need public or tribal schools during their practicum,
• Be supported in developing competencies to become school-based social workers who provide mental health services through a year-long community of practice,
• Attend an annual retreat building a network of like-minded professionals,
• Receive their Educational Staff Associate (ESA) certificate, and
• Receive career placement support to take a leadership role in a high-need public school after graduation.

Apply through the WSW website.

For questions related to this scholarship opportunity, contact Jeremy Springer, MSW Program Director, the primary WSW contact at Walla Walla University.