Master of Social Work scholarship opportunities

WSAC Behavioral Health Conditional Scholarship

Washington Student Action Council is pleased to offer a behavioral health conditional scholarship. Due to the lack of healthcare professionals, HB 1946 was designed to assist and encourage healthcare professionals to pursue and complete their graduate degree. 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 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 for 3-5 years. 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 site.
Students should plan to commit to work at approved site for 3-5 years post-graduation.
Awards up to $51,000 over two years, amount disbursed to a Master of Social Work student varies on financial need shown.
Apply online at WSAC Behavioral Health Conditional Scholarship: https://wsac.wa.gov/bhcs

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.

Ballmer Behavioral Health Conditional Scholarship

The Washington State Behavioral Health Workforce Development Initiative (BHWDI) supports master’s level mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists and social workers committed to serving individuals and families with mental health and substance use challenges. This Ballmer Behavioral Health Conditional Scholarship is now open for submission through July 1, 2025. However, the earlier you submit the better.

This program is providing funding for 8 spots to students beginning Walla Walla University’s MSW program in Fall 2025 who will reside and work within Washington state. A network of more than 100 community behavioral health agencies and tribal health centers in Washington serve as student training sites and potential employers in the communities where students want to live and work.

Highlights:

Up to $51,500 in funding.
Commitment to work 3 years post-graduation.
Ability to work within Washington state and submit a FAFSA or WASFA.
Last year for funding, ends after students start Fall 2025.

Join the effort to significantly decrease student debt and increase the number and diversity of exceptionally prepared graduates who work in the community agencies on which our state’s most vulnerable populations depend.

To be considered for the Ballmer BHWDI, prospective students must first be admitted to the MSW Program. Because the eligibility for the Ballmer BHWDI scholarship is based on student financial need, newly admitted MSW students should submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA).