National Association of Social Workers Foundation Scholarships

Name: National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Foundation Scholarships

Award Amount: Varies by individual scholarship; for example, up to $4,000 for the Consuelo W. Gosnell Memorial Scholarship and up to $5,500 for the Verne LaMarr Lyons Memorial Scholarship.

Information and Eligibility:
The NASW Foundation offers multiple scholarship programs for students pursuing degrees in social work. These programs support diverse specialties within the field—such as commitment to underserved populations, health/mental-health practice, and macro social-policy work—and aim to cultivate future leaders in social work practice and advocacy. Eligibility criteria vary by award but share common elements:

• Academic Level: Generally, applicants must be enrolled in or entering a Master of Social Work (MSW) program, though some awards also support doctoral candidates or specialized tracks.
• Membership: Applicants typically must be members of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW).
• Focus/Commitment: Many awards call for a demonstrated interest in specific populations (e.g., American Indian/Alaska Native, Hispanic/Latino, African American communities) or practice fields (e.g., health/mental health, public service agencies). For example, the Gosnell scholarship emphasizes work with American Indian/Alaska Native or Hispanic/Latino communities.

Application Requirements:

• Completed online scholarship application via the NASW Foundation portal when open.
• Official or unofficial academic transcript showing accreditation and current status.
• Résumé or curriculum vitae summarizing education, fieldwork and social work experience.
• Personal statement or essay explaining goals in social work, commitment to the specified populations or practice area, and how the scholarship will advance the applicant’s career.
• Letters of recommendation (number may vary) from professionals who can speak to the applicant’s academic promise, leadership and service.
• Additional requirements may apply depending on the specific scholarship (e.g., proof of admission to the MSW program, membership verification, a minimum GPA).

Selection Criteria:

• Academic achievement and readiness for graduate social work study.
• Evidence of commitment and service to under-served populations, excellence in professional practice, or potential for leadership in social work.
• Quality of application materials—including clarity of goals, alignment with the scholarship’s mission, and demonstration of social-work values.

Additional Details:

• The NASW Foundation administers several named scholarships such as the Consuelo W. Gosnell Memorial Scholarship, the Verne LaMarr Lyons Memorial Scholarship, the Lawanna Renee Barron Scholarship and the Neysa Fanwick Memorial Scholarship.
• Applications are not always open year-round; for example, the Foundation indicates the “2026-27 cycle will be posted in December 2025” and that the application period typically runs from mid-January through late February or early March.

Deadline:

• February

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