Financial Aid and Scholarships

To be eligible for any College of Social Work scholarship, all interested students must complete the Annual Application for Scholarship form included in the admission packet. The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) must be submitted/postmarked by March 15 before any need-based funds will be awarded. Students who are US citizens are eligible for all University-wide funding. International students may apply for college-funded scholarships only. All forms must be submitted annually by March 15. For more information please call (801) 587-7972. Click here for additional under-graduate scholarship information.
Click here for Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.)

Scholarships available:

Alumni Scholarships
In 1982, alumni of the College of Social Work (CSW) established a 50th Anniversary Endowment to fund an ongoing scholarship in the name of the Alumni Association. Awarded each year by the Alumni Board, the scholarship, given to MSW 1st year students over the two years of master's-level study, is based on leadership, contribution to the community, and commitment to the social work profession. Click here for the scholarship form.

Bordenave Scholarship
This scholarship was established by Jeannine Bordenave, a 1981 MSW graduate, in memory of her mother, Lucille Bordenave. The award is made to a deserving student(s) who have excelled academically, who are in need of financial assistance, and who meet the University’s definition of a nontraditional student.

Louise Browning Scholarship Fund
The Browning Scholarship Endowment will support scholarships to be given to a deserving student with a social work emphasis in the College of Social Work who demonstrate need.

College of Social Work Serving Students of Diverse Ethnicity Scholarship
These scholarships are awarded to students of diverse ethnicity. A major portion is earmarked for students in the CSW’s American Indian Career Training Program, which was established in 1970 and to date has awarded nearly 200 master’s and PhD degrees in social work. The scholarships are made possible through a number of funding sources, including the President’s Office, U of U; Indian Nations and tribal counsels; practicum agencies; the Indian Health Service; Bureau of Indian Affairs; the State Farm Insurance Companies; Annie E. Casey Foundation; and the Children’s Bureau of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

College of Social Work Staff Scholarship
The CSW Scholarship was established by Carlyn Weight and Rosemarie Hunter to provide funds to full-time staff employed by the College of Social Work. Staff may seek degrees in any discipline offered at the University of Utah. The main criterion for receipt of this scholarship is need. The funding for the scholarship is based on additional donations by friends and employees of the College of Social Work.

Florence Smith Jacobsen Scholarships
A generous gift from Florence S. and Ted C. Jacobsen established the Jacobsen Scholars program at the CSW in 1998. The emphasis of study for Jacobsen Scholars is academically based community scholarship and service that focuses on issues of concern to women, with particular emphasis on strengthening families. Recipients work in collaboration with the Belle S. Spafford Endowed Chair at the CSW and the University’s Lowell Bennion Community Service Center.

Helen Richards Henderson Scholarship
This endowed scholarship was established in 1998 by Ann E. Henderson to honor her mother, CSW Professor Emeriti Helen R. Henderson. The scholarship is awarded to a masters level social work student who is a single mother and who demonstrates promise in the field of social work. Special consideration is given to students who share Helen Henderson’s interest in mental health and concern for professional development.

Hiatt Scholarship
In 1993, a bequest from the estate of Martin Hiatt established a scholarship fund at the University of Utah, and a portion of these funds were directed to the College of Social Work. There are no specific criteria attached to the award.

James C. & Lucile P. Hunter Scholarship
For International, Immigrant and Refugee Students in the College of Social Work. This new scholarship was endowed by Paul and Rosemarie Hunter in memory of James C. and Lucile P. Hunter. James and Lucile both had a high regard for education, Lucille teaching school all of her life and James reentering college after his retirement as a highway patrolman for the State of Utah. The scholarship is to be awarded to International, Immigrant or Refugee students enrolled in the BSW, MSW or PhD programs in the College of Social Work who demonstrate need.

Frances A. Jones Scholarships
A gift from the estate of Frances A. Jones established this endowed scholarship in 1991. Awards are given to students interested in the problems of rural communities, with an emphasis on child welfare services.

Lou Ann B. Jorgensen Scholarship
The scholarship will support PhD students who demonstrate excellence in scholarship at the doctoral level. Dr. Jorgensen gave generously of her time and energy to her work with doctoral students. We invite you, especially those who received their doctorate during her tenure, to help this fund grow to the level of support that will assure the continuation of this scholarship well into the future.

Muriel J. Lockett La Rue Memorial Scholarship
The scholarship was made by a donation in 2004 from Joseph D. LaRue in memory of his wife, Muriel. She completed her undergraduate education at the University of Utah in 1950 and graduate work in 1951 finishing a Master's Degree at the University of Chicago in 1959. The scholarship is given to an African American student who shows promise in the field of social work and who exemplifies the values and qualities of Muriel La Rue specifically interested in children and families.

Kennecott Scholarships
Utah Kennecott Copper provides scholarships to various University departments. The CSW has been chosen to receive two of these to bachelor of social work students, beginning Fall Semester. See BSW Administrative Assistant for application.

Roger M. & Mary F. Lowe Legacy Scholarship
This endowment was established in 2001 by Roger M. and Mary F. Lowe. Mary, a former graduate student and recipient of the James Garland Woolsey Memorial Award, established this scholarship to provide educational assistance to deserving students studying in the field of social work.

Elizabeth McDonald Richards Scholarship
This endowed scholarship was established in 1998 by CSW Professor Emeriti Helen R. Henderson in memory of her mother, Elizabeth McDonald Richards. The scholarship is given to a master’s-level social work student who is a single mother caring for children and who would not be able to attend graduate school without financial assistance. Special consideration is given to students who exemplify the values and qualities of Elizabeth McDonald Richards, specifically the value she placed on education and concern for others.

William McPhee Scholarship
This endowment was established in 1989 by Dr. William McPhee, a former CSW faculty member. The scholarship is awarded to a PhD student who demonstrates outstanding promise in the area of social work research. It provides support to assist the student with his/her own dissertation.

Georgia W. Murdaugh Scholarship
This scholarship was established in 1988 by Claude B. Murdaugh of Washington State in memory of his wife, Georgia W. Murdaugh. The award is given to students who demonstrate financial need and who wish to pursue advanced graduate education in the public social services.

Jamal O’ Jack Scholarship
This scholarship was established by Dr. Stanislav O’Jack in memory of his wife, Jamal, who was pursuing a doctorate at the CSW at the time of her death and would have graduated with the class of 1993. As a PhD student in social work, Jamal was interested in serious mental illness, depression, AIDS, and the delivery of mental health service in rural areas. The award is given to a graduate student who demonstrates promise in the field of mental health practice or research.

Ruth Papiano Giolman Scholarship
This scholarship was established by Neil L. Papiano in memory of his mother, Ruth Cotten Papiano Giolman, who died June 24, 1998, at the age of 86. The scholarship is awarded to graduate students whose professional interests are in the field of aging and who expect, upon graduation, to engage in research and other activities to improve the quality of life for elderly Americans.

Schimd Child Welfare Scholarship
Based primarily on need, this scholarship was established by Don and Sylvia Schmid in 2003. These funds are designated for a first- or second-year MSW student who has a stated plan to work after graduation in a child welfare setting, primarily serving American Indian communities, both on the reservation and in urban areas.

Rex A. Skidmore Scholarships
This scholarship was established in 1996 at the time of the 25th Dedicatory Anniversary of the CSW building. It honors Rex A. Skidmore, who served the University and the CSW for 41 years. Dr. Skidmore was dean for 20 years, from 1956 to 1975. He died January 10, 1998, at the age of 83. The scholarship is presented to exceptional students who have demonstrated outstanding promise, interest, and academic excellence in the field of social work and who, like Rex A. Skidmore, would bring to the profession a strong commitment to strengthening, preserving, and enhancing family life and family relationships.

Georgia Willey Snyder Scholarship
Georgia Snyder Knight established this endowed scholarship in 1997 in the memory of her mother, Georgia Willey Snyder, Professor Emeriti at the CSW. Professor Snyder was a member of the faculty for 28 years, beginning in 1953. She died February 13, 1997, at the age of 79. The award is given to a student who demonstrates need and displays outstanding promise, interest, and academic excellence in the field of social work.

Suazo Social Justice Scholarship
This scholarship was established by the Professional and Community Education Program (PACE) within the College of Social Work, with support from the Suazo family, honoring the late Senator Pete Suazo's lifetime dedication to furthering the cause of social and economic justice for all people. The scholarship is given to a full-time second year MSW student with financial need and who demonstrates a strong commitment to, and leadership potential in, issues of social and economic justice. Click Here for the scholarship form.

Study of Aging Scholarship
Allen Proctor, a clinical instructor in the GSSW’s practicum program for more than 25 years, was instrumental in establishing this scholarship through a distribution of assets from Salt Lake Metropolitan Services for the Aging. The award is made to outstanding students who have demonstrated commitment, capacity, and promise for a career in gerontology and direct service or field placement in gerontology.

Milton G. Thackeray Scholarship
The family and friends of Milton G. Thackeray established this endowed scholarship at the time of his death on March 24, 1996, at the age of 81. Professor Thackeray began his career at the CSW in 1948. He served the school for 37 years, retiring in 1985. Fourteen of these years were spent in the position of associate dean. The scholarship is awarded to students who bring to the profession of social work the values and qualities that Milton G. Thackeray exemplified throughout his life and career. Consideration is also given to students preparing for careers in child welfare and/or mental health.

Blanche Scowcroft Willey Scholarship
This endowment was established in 1983 by Emerson C. Willey in honor of his wife, Blanche Scowcroft Willey. The award is granted to deserving students who excel academically in the social work field.

Title IV-E Scholarships
These scholarships are made possible by a federal/state grant awarded to the school by the Utah State Division of Child and Family Services. Title IV-E funds support the school’s off-campus (rural) MSW program, evening MSW program, and a special child welfare practice training initiative. The annual stipends are awarded to students preparing for careers in child welfare.

Maurice & Inez Warshaw Scholarships
The late Maurice Warshaw, noted Salt Lake philanthropist and civic leader, established these scholarships through an endowment in his will. Warshaw scholarships are awarded annually to social work graduate students based on merit and need. Founder and chairman of the board of Grand Central Stores, Mr. Warshaw focused much of his philanthropy and community service on disability rights and issues. The Warshaw Scholarships were expanded by the Warshaw family and friends following the death of Inez Warshaw in 1998.