Scholarships and Loan Forgiveness

School of Social Work Scholarships

The USC School of Social Work offers supplemental financial assistance to students whose financial need cannot be adequately met through need-based loans.

Virtual Academic Center Scholarship

VAC students enrolled in eight or more units with a minimum 3.0 GPA can qualify for the Virtual Academic Center Scholarship. Award amounts vary based upon academic merit. To apply, please describe your academic and professional goals in the field of social work and answer the below questions in no more than 1-2 pages attached as a supporting document to your application. This essay is separate from your five-page statement.

• What specific population(s) interests you? How do you desire to serve the population(s) professionally?
• Please discuss very candidly how this scholarship will assist you in achieving your academic goals.
• What, if any, special circumstances necessitate this scholarship during your academic endeavors (i.e. family situation, financial hardship, health conditions, etc.)?

Yellow Ribbon Program

Students who meet the specified criteria can earn tuition awards of $20,000 through a matched scholarship program with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

University Scholarships and Fellowships

Many USC-affiliated organizations offer competitive scholarships to qualifying students who demonstrate merit, financial need and campus and community involvement.

Professional Organization and Foundation Resources

This is a partial listing of scholarship funds available to social work and graduate-level students, some of which promote community building, social justice and other social work-related ideas.

• American Association of University Women
• Council on Social Work Education
• Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund
• Hispanic Scholarship Fund
• Jeannette Rankin Women’s Scholarship Fund
• National Association of Social Workers Foundation
• The Point Foundation

Additionally, you should consult other financial aid sources through local libraries, online search engines, federal agencies, private foundations and organizations.

Loan Forgiveness

Below is a list of federal loan forgiveness programs to help individuals minimize their overall student loan debt after graduation.

• Federal Student Loan Repayment Program
• National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment
• National Institutes of Health
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

Click here to learn more about the MSW@USC.