NYS Child Welfare Worker Incentive Scholarship

Name: NYS Child Welfare Worker Incentive Scholarship

Award Amount:

• For undergraduate students:
  • Covers the cost of attendance, not to exceed the average cost charged to New York State resident students at a state-operated SUNY college.
• For graduate students attending a SUNY or CUNY college:
  • Covers the cost of attendance, not to exceed the average cost charged to New York State resident graduate students at a state-operated SUNY college.
• For graduate students attending a private institution:
  • Up to $20,000 for tuition, plus the average mandatory fees charged at the private institution, the average non-tuition cost of attendance at the institution, or actual tuition, fees, and non-tuition costs, whichever is less.

Overview:

The NYS Child Welfare Worker Incentive Scholarship provides financial assistance to employees of New York State-licensed child welfare agencies who are pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree to enhance their skills as child welfare workers. The scholarship aims to support the professional development of individuals committed to serving children and families in New York State.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
• Be a legal resident of New York State and have resided in the state for 12 continuous months.
• Be currently employed at a voluntary not-for-profit child welfare agency in New York State licensed by the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) with at least two years of qualified experience providing either:
  • Direct-care services to children and families, or
  • Non-direct care services, such as administrative and operational support services.
• Be enrolled full-time or part-time in one of the following eligible undergraduate or graduate degree programs at a college or university located in New York State:
  • Criminal Justice
  • Human Services
  • Mental Health Counseling
  • Psychology
  • Public Health
  • Social Services
  • Social Work
  • Sociology
• Maintain good academic standing as defined by the institution.
• Be in compliance with the terms of any service condition imposed by a New York State award that you have previously received.

Application Process:

• Complete and submit the NYS Child Welfare Worker Incentive Scholarship Application, available on the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) website.
• File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) application or the NYS DREAM Act application each year for payment.
• Provide any additional documentation as requested by HESC to verify eligibility.

Deadline:

• The application deadline for the NYS Child Welfare Worker Incentive Scholarship has passed. Applicants are encouraged to check the HESC website for updates on future application periods.

Service Agreement:

• Recipients must agree to work full-time as a child welfare worker providing direct care services at a voluntary not-for-profit child welfare agency in New York State licensed by OCFS for five years after graduation.
• Work must commence within one year of completing the degree program.
• Recipients must also agree to reside in New York State for the duration of the service obligation.
• Failure to fulfill the service obligation will result in the conversion of the scholarship to a 10-year student loan with interest. The interest rate will be fixed and equal to that set annually by the U.S. Department of Education for federal undergraduate Direct Stafford Unsubsidized Loans at the time the service contract is signed.

Additional Information:

• The scholarship is available for up to:
  • Two years for students pursuing an associate degree full-time.
  • Four years for students pursuing a bachelor’s degree full-time.
  • Five years for approved five-year degree programs.
  • Two years for approved graduate degree programs.
• Recipients must maintain satisfactory academic progress and comply with all program requirements to continue receiving the scholarship.
• For detailed guidelines, application instructions, and further assistance, visit the official NYS Child Welfare Worker Incentive Scholarship page on the HESC website or contact the financial aid office at your chosen institution.

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