Financial Aid Opportunities
There are many financial awards available to MSW students during all phases of their enrollment at the School of Social Work. Below are financial aid opportunities available to students at the beginning of the MSW Program.
Graduate/Research Assistantships And Hourly Positions
Students may apply for available assistantship and hourly positions at the School of Social Work and throughout the University. Students should seek various forms of financial assistance, as hourly and assistantship positions are very competitive.
Assistantship positions include an in-state tuition waiver, general fee waiver, and monthly stipend. Any assistantship positions in the School of Social Work will be made known to social work students, who will then have an opportunity to apply. The school also has assistantship agreements with a small number of University departments. For additional assistantship opportunities, go to: www.grad.uiuc.edu/clearinghouse .
Hourly positions may be available as well. If a student is hired for an hourly position, the student may work up to but not exceed 20 hours per week while classes are in session. There is no tuition waiver with an hourly position.
Qualifications for these positions may include any of the following: scholarship, interpersonal skills, computer experience, language skills, writing ability and other work or volunteer experience. Students must be in good academic standing in order to hold an hourly or assistantship position. The School of Social Work reserves the right to reduce or eliminate a student's work hours if good academic standing and satisfactory progress is not maintained.
School Of Social Work Scholarships
During the spring semester, students may apply for various scholarships with awards ranging from $500 to $1,500. Scholarship information is sent to all MSW students. In addition to the financial award, the recipient's name for each award will be engraved on a plaque at the School. The Recruitment, Admissions, and Financial Aid Committee reviews and ranks all submitted papers. Below are examples of scholarship opportunities:
The Becca Nimmer Marcus Award is made possible by funds from Dr. Paul Marcus in honor of his wife, Becca Nimmer Marcus, who received her MSW from the School of Social Work in 1983. Applicants must be a full-time MSW student who has identified the field of mental health as an area of professional interest and intends to practice in that area upon graduation.
The Marietta Stevenson Award is made possible by funds contributed by the family of Stevenson. This award is for a student who has identified policy as an area of professional interest and intends to practice in that area upon graduation.
The Patchner-Ramanathan Award is made possible by funds contributed by former Associate Professor Michael Patchner and retired Professor Pallassana R. Balgopal in memory of their parents. Applicant must be a full-time student who has identified health care or service to the elderly as an area of professional interest and intends to practice in that area upon graduation.
The Ron Moorman Award is made possible by funds contributed in honor of Ron Moorman, retired CEO of Child Care Association of Illinois. This award is given to a full-time MSW student who has identified the field of child welfare as an area of professional interest and intends to practice in that area upon graduation.
The Shirley Wattenberg Award is made possible by funds contributed in memory of Shirley Wattenberg, Associate Professor emerita who was a faculty member from 1965-1988. Applicants must be a full-time student who has identified the field of health care as an area of professional interest and intends to practice in that area upon graduation.
The School of Social Work Educational Opportunity Award is made possible by an anonymous donor dedicated to the field of Social Work with the hope that the fund will increase the number of minority social workers in practice. Applicant must be a full-time student who is a member of a federally recognized Indian tribe, African-American or of Latina/o heritage.
School Of Social Work Alumni Boards Awards are made possible by the work of the Alumni Board. These $500 awards are given to two students each semester during their internship. In addition, their names will be placed on a plaque at the School of Social Work. MSW students who have received no other financial support are eligible for this award.