Scholarships & Awards

Financial Aid, just for Social Work students

There are many awards and scholarships available to Social Work students. Check the listing below to find out what you might qualify for, and don’t forget to check Academic Works to find out what other scholarships are out there! 

BSW Awards & Scholarships

Lois Miranda Advocacy Award

History: The Lois Miranda Advocacy Award is named after the late retired Social Work Faculty member at UW Oshkosh. She was tireless in her dedication and advocacy of marginalized populations. In her memory, students who model her advocacy work will be awarded. To honor her, a fund was begun and a plaque created to share awardees names each year. This plaque hangs in the Social Work Office.

Award: The award amount varies year to year.

Eligibility criteria:

  • Graduating seniors who are in good standing in their programs.
  • Students must be nominated by others (no self nominations) forwarding the name and a brief rationale detailing the contribution in advocacy the student has made.
  • Significant contribution in advocacy for marginalized population(s) by a student or a group of students.

Nominations can be made by faculty, staff, community members or other students and submitted via the form below. Please include the name of student, major, and provide in detail, the specific work to marginalized populations which the student(s) have been involved with.

This award will include recognition on a perpetual plaque, a certificate, and monetary award for the awardee.

Submit nominations to Colleen Hansen (hansenc@uwosh.edu).

Lois Miranda Advocacy Award Nomination Form

  • Please use specific examples!
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Social Work Education Center Scholarship Site

Due Dates Vary

Social workers provide valuable help and support for vulnerable people. They often work with victims of domestic violence and homeless people as well as children and the elderly. Hospitals even hire social workers to help patients find the resources they need once they go home. Social work scholarships give current and incoming students financial help to pay for both college and grad school.

While it’s possible to get a job in this field with just an undergraduate degree, some of the higher positions require a Master of Social Work. This type of degree includes a practicum where you spend some time working in an organization or agency to gain practical experience. Social work scholarships often help students cover their living expenses while they work full-time. Learn more about the top social work scholarships that are open to students at all levels along with the due date and how to apply.

Social Work Scholarships

MSW Awards & Scholarships

Wisconsin Nursing Home Social Workers Association Scholarship

Application Due June 30, 2021

See full details here: Wisonsin Nursing Home Social Workers Association Scholarship

View all current available scholarships through UW Oshkosh Academic Works

Eugene R. Bonynge Memorial Graduate Student Scholarship

Application Due May 19, 2023

The Eugene R. Bonynge family and Woodland Centers sponsor a $1000 annual scholarship
award for a graduate student in the behavioral sciences.

Eugene R. Bonynge, Ph.D., was Woodland Centers’ Chief Executive Officer from 1995 to January
24, 2010 when he died unexpectedly. As the CEO of a rural community mental health center,
Dr. Bonynge was acutely aware of the challenges recruiting and retaining mental health
professionals.

The Eugene R. Bonynge Memorial Graduate Student Scholarship was inspired by a wish to
honor his legacy as a behavioral healthcare professional, researcher and administrator, and the
desire of the Bonynge family to contribute to the professional development of a graduate
student with roots in Minnesota.

Woodland Centers would like to aid in reaching the goals and aspirations of all individuals
engaged in behavioral health studies. We have employment opportunities that may qualify
individuals for government tuition reimbursement programs. Woodland Centers has a wide
array of adult and youth programs and serves a seven county area. We are a highly reputable
and long standing community mental health center celebrating over 60 years of service. We
encourage interested applicants to visit the Woodland Centers website at
www.woodlandcenters.com or visit us on Facebook for more information about our agency and
services. The scholarship information can also be found on our website under “who we are.”

Qualifications of Applicants:
1. The applicant must be a US resident and have graduated from a high school in
Minnesota (or participated in homeschool in Minnesota).
2. The applicant must be a student enrolled in, or accepted for enrollment in, a graduate
training program in a behavioral science field which upon professional licensure would
qualify as any of the following: Licensed Psychologist (LP), Licensed Independent Clinical
Social Worker (LICSW), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), or Licensed
Practicing Clinical Counselor (LPCC).
3. Good academic standing (minimum required cumulative GPA of 3.0) in graduate
program (or undergraduate program if not currently enrolled in graduate program)

How to apply
1. A complete application (including all letters and supporting documentation) should be
sent to:

Woodland Centers, c/o CEO, 1125 6th Street SE Willmar, MN 56201

OR

ashley.kjos@wcenters.org

2. APPLICATION DEADLINE: May 19, 2023

How the scholarship recipient is selected:

1. Applications are reviewed by the Selection Committee (Woodland Centers’ CEO; one
Woodland Centers Board member; representatives of the Bonynge Family)
2. Incomplete applications will not be considered
3. Scholarships will not be awarded to applicants who are not qualified.
4. Preference will be given to applicants who express interest in rural mental health
professional practice upon completion of graduate training.
How the scholarship award is made:
1. After the application deadline has passed, the Selection Committee will review the
applications and make its selection by majority vote. In the case of a tie vote, the
Bonynge Family Representatives make the selection.
2. The awardee will be contacted by mail and/or email in June or July
3. The awardee will be asked to receive the award in person (if possible) and participate in
a photo with the Bonynge Family and Woodland Centers staff. The award will be
dispersed at this time. If COVID restrictions do not allow this, a meeting will take place
via video conference and the awardee will be mailed the award.

For any questions about the scholarship application or eligibility, please contact:

Ashley Kjos
Chief Executive Officer
Woodland Centers
320-235-4613
ashley.kjos@wcenters.org

View all current available scholarships through UW Oshkosh Academic Works

2020 WCSWE Scholarship

Apply here.

View all current available scholarships through UW Oshkosh Academic Works

Senior Living Scholarship

$1000 Award

Due November 15, 2018

Senior citizens are one of the most important and often neglected groups in our society. There are many issues associated with age, such as poor mobility, Alzheimer’s Disease, dementia, depression and many others. It is important that we care for seniors, especially when they need our care the most. It is also extremely important to bring light to issues and problems that effect senior citizens, so that we as a society can solve them.

Senior Guidance is proud to offer our $1000 yearly senior living scholarship to one student per year.

You may submit an essay that is between 750 and 4000 words on any topic related to senior living. For example, you may pick any particular issue related to senior living and write about the solution(s) to the problem. You may also write about specific senior living lifestyles and issues related to them, such as assisted living facilities, nursing homes or retirement communities. You do not have to write about a problem – you may submit an essay that is a thoroughly researched informational article on any topic related to senior living.

See website for full details.

View all current available scholarships through UW Oshkosh Academic Works

SeniorAdvice Caregiver Scholarships

$2000 Award

Due January 15, 2020

SeniorAdvice is offering a $2,000 scholarship to an eligible student who has been a caregiver for a senior friend or relative. One student, who will be attending college or university in the Spring of 2019, will receive $2,000 for tuition and/or books.

For deadlines and details on how to apply, click here.

View all current available scholarships through UW Oshkosh Academic Works

Social Work Education Center Scholarship Site

Due Dates Vary

Social workers provide valuable help and support for vulnerable people. They often work with victims of domestic violence and homeless people as well as children and the elderly. Hospitals even hire social workers to help patients find the resources they need once they go home. Social work scholarships give current and incoming students financial help to pay for both college and grad school.

While it’s possible to get a job in this field with just an undergraduate degree, some of the higher positions require a Master of Social Work. This type of degree includes a practicum where you spend some time working in an organization or agency to gain practical experience. Social work scholarships often help students cover their living expenses while they work full-time. Learn more about the top social work scholarships that are open to students at all levels along with the due date and how to apply.

Social Work Scholarships

UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN OSHKOSH
Social Work Department

(920) 424-1419
socialwork@uwosh.edu
Swart Hall, Room 118