Social Work Scholarships

Scholarship Applications for the 2024-25 Academic Year

The scholarship application will be open from February 26–March 31, 2024 

Please note: Scholarships are competitive and only a single person is named the recipient of the scholarship. Hence, do your best to turn in an exceptional application and essay.

The amount of scholarship money awarded is taken out of amount you receive loaned by financial aid. Even so, the real benefit of a scholarship is that a student is named as the finalist and this always looks very good on your resume.

Scholarship applications are reviewed by a committee. We receive many applications and cannot offer any feedback to applicants who were not selected as finalists.

Once you decide on the scholarships to apply to, prepare a student essay (300 words maximum). Discuss each of the scholarships you are applying for and how your professional interests, experiences and/or goals connect to the scholarship.

To apply to the appropriate scholarship(s), go to the scholarship application. Please note: you will need to enter your NetID username and password to apply.

Questions? Contact Jennifer Farley

Scholarships

  • Antonia Colón MSW Summer Scholarship 

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    • MSW student with financial need as determined by the Office of Financial Aid
    • Must be enrolled during the summer semester
    • Must be in good academic standing
    • Preference is given to a bilingual student (English/Spanish)
    • Submit an essay demonstrating commitment to serving people consistent with the EMU School of Social Work mission statement (500-word limit)
    • $1000.00 awarded in previous years
  • Donald Loppnow Endowed Scholarship 

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    • Undergraduate or graduate student
    • Possesses qualities such as commitment to social work program missions, leadership abilities and/or outstanding scholarly achievement
    • May consider financial need
    • $970 awarded in previous years
  • EMU Diane and Bruce Halle Foundation Social Justice Scholarship

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    Application Due: 4.1.24 at 8:00 am

    Eastern Michigan University’s School of Social Work strives to live out its social justice mission through the education provided to students in our classroom; through engaged research; through community service; and through university service. The School of Social Work at EMU has a strong commitment to the region and its communities. The School prepares students to work with vulnerable, oppressed, and underserved populations and help people tackle problems rooted in poverty, racism, ageism, violence or illness. Our faculty, staff, students and alumni serve people of every age and background as they script new futures for themselves.

    The School is committed to providing access to high quality education for students from diverse backgrounds, including students who face material challenges as they strive to earn a college degree. Advocacy and mentorship for talented students of limited means is a critical part of our social justice mission.

    In 2018, the Diane and Bruce Halle Foundation identified the School of Social Work as the recipient of a generous social justice endowment. Bruce Halle is an Eastern Michigan University alum and founder of Discount Tire and namesake of the library. Bruce and his wife Diane have generously earmarked funds to support faculty and students in the School of Social Work to advance social justice efforts.

     

    Scholarship Criteria

    • Undergraduate students who will be enrolled in 489 Summer 2024; OR Graduate students who will be enrolled in 596 in Summer 2024  This scholarship application is only open to students who will be in their second semester of internship in Summer 2024.  
    • Good academic standing as defined by your program (including grades and student conduct)

    Scholarship Awards

    Two $4,000 scholarships are planned to be awarded for Summer 2024.

    **Please note, this scholarship could impact your financial aid. Please reach out to the Financial Aid Office if you have any questions.

    Application Timeline

    Summer 2024 Scholarship Application Opens: 2.5.24 at 5:00 pm  

    Summer 2024 Application Due: 4.1.24 at 8:00 am 

    Summer 2024 Scholarships Announced: 4.15.24

     

    Link to Application: https://emich.infoready4.com/

     

    Application Process

    • Complete the Diane and Bruce Halle Social Justice Scholarship Student Application in the InfoReady system. Please use the “Link to Application” link provided above and below this information. 
    • Complete an essay (a minimum of 400 words and maximum of 600 words) that identifies the following:
      • Applicant’s commitment to social justice including specific examples that demonstrate this commitment
      • Applicant’s career and academic goals including how being a Halle Social Justice Scholar would support these goals
      • Applicant’s financial need. Please list any other active scholarships, tuition reimbursement, or grants that you have for the next two semesters.
      • Please note you will be asked to upload your essay.  It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure the essay meets the 400 word minimum, 600 word maximum requirement before submission. Essays that do not meet this requirement will not be eligible for review. 

    When you upload your essay you will be asked for a "Proposal Title." Please use this format for your "Proposal Title": last name, first name_HSJS_Essay. Ex. JonesChris_HSJS_Essay

    • Submit two professional letters of recommendation that focus on the applicant’s integrity, commitment to the profession, and dedication to advancing social justice. The EMU School of Social Work prepares students to work with vulnerable, oppressed, and underserved populations and help people tackle problems rooted in poverty, racism, ageism, violence or illness. The Halle Social Justice scholarship is intended to advance social justice efforts in the community. Given the intent of the scholarship recommenders are asked to speak to the applicant’s dedication to and passion for advancing social justice as well as their integrity, and commitment to the profession.

    • Please ensure you have submitted two separate letters of recommendation. Applications that do not include two distinct letters of recommendation will not meet this requirement and will not be eligible for review. 

    You will upload your Letters of Recommendation here on the InfoReady system.

     Scholarship Requirements (for scholarship recipients)

    • Scholarship recipients will identify a faculty mentor after being awarded a scholarship. The faculty mentor will typically be the recipient’s field seminar Instructor and will support them as they complete their scholarship requirements.
    • Devise a legacy project that will positively impact the field agency or the EMU* community. Legacy projects will require 25 hours of service beyond the recipient’s required Field course hours and must be centered on promoting social justice. This work must be completed by the end of second semester field course.
    • Provide a service letter from the agency supervisor confirming completion of 25 service hours
    • Complete a two-page description of the community centered service activity and how it promoted social justice
    • Dissemination of project at an EMU School of Social Work event and agency or community event as approved by Committee. The quality and completeness of the information provided will serve as an integral part of the selection process.

     

    Only completed applications will be considered.

     

    Link to Application: https://emich.infoready4.com/

     

    Contact Information

    EMU School of Social Work
    Cōlleen O'Brien
    [email protected]

  • Leroy Watts Endowed Scholarship 

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    • Established scholarship in memory of Roy Watts
    • For a student in social work with preference to a BSW candidate with a commitment to human justice
    • Selected per criteria of social work selection committee
    • $631 awarded in previous years
  • Path to Success Endowed Scholarship

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    • Purpose of this endowed scholarship is to support a student in the School of Social Work
    • BSW or MSW student
    • Demonstrates financial need
    • $633.00 awarded in previous years 
  • Wolverine Human Services  

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    • Undergraduate or graduate social work major
    • At least part-time student
    • Financial need
    • Minimum undergraduate GPA: 3.30
    • Minimum graduate GPA: 3.70
    • Preference given to male, minority students
    • Preference given to Wolverine Human Services employees or members of their immediate family; students who have accepted an offer of employment or are serving an internship at Wolverine Human Services with intent of employment
    • $670 awarded in previous years
  • Frederick Lane III Scholarship 

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    • MSW student in the family and children's services concentration
    • Financial need as demonstrated by a FAFSA on file with EMU's Financial Aid office
    • Essay to show creativity and innovation in pursuing social justice for children and families to be reviewed by the Social Work Scholarship Committee
    • When there is more than one applicant, the Social Work Scholarship Committee will carefully analyze the student essay to select the most applicable scholarship recipient
    • $1,460 awarded in previous years
  • Social Work Alumni Association 

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    • A declared, 300-level, BSW or MSW student
    • Financial need determined by the Office of Financial Aid
    • GPA minimum 3.25
    • Applicants must submit a written essay showing demonstrated commitment to serving people consistent with the EMU Social Work mission statement (500-word limit)
    • $700 awarded in previous years
  • Geraldine Quarrella Scholarship 

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    • Must be enrolled in the EMU BSW or MSW program
    • Student must be in need determined by the Office of Financial Aid
    • Essay question to be completed by applicants as follows: Explain your commitment of service to vulnerable populations and/or socio-economically disadvantaged individuals while listing any service with these groups. Additional explanation of personal experience of overcoming adversity and personal interest in pursuing the field of social work should be highlighted in the essay as well.
    • $500.00 awarded in previous years