Scholarships and Awards
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The School of Social Work at the University of Nevada, Reno, offers four different scholarships to juniors, seniors, and graduate students admitted to the social work program. Scholarship awards and criteria are listed below.
Note: To apply for these scholarships, you must submit a one-page letter indicating scholarship(s) of interest to you. Include a brief description of relevant activities, employment, and career plans. Each scholarship has slightly different requirements, so be sure to read the description carefully. All applications and letters of interest should be turned in to the School of Social Work Office, AB 523, no later than January 15th.
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The Alicia Smalley Scholarship is awarded to eligible candidates that the Social Work Department nominates. Eligible candidates must be baccalaureate seniors in their final year or master’s degree students in Social Work. Candidates must also have financial need. Recipients must earn a minimum of 24 undergraduate or 18 graduate UNR credits per academic year (fall and spring semester) and maintain a minimum 3.0 UNR Grade Point Average (GPA) for the duration of the award. A change in major results in the loss of this scholarship. This scholarship is not renewable. Preference will be given to a student that has an abiding interest in social justice and demonstrated financial need. See Alicia Smalley's Memorial page.
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The John and Louise Semenza Family Scholarship is awarded to an undergraduate (junior or senior) or graduate student who plans a career in practice within public agencies that serve special needs populations. Eligible candidates must be social work majors and earn a minimum of 24 UNR credits per academic year (fall and spring semesters) and maintain full-time enrollment each semester. Recipients must also maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative UNR GPA for the duration of the award. A change in major will result in the loss of this scholarship. A THANK YOU NOTE IS REQUIRED.
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The Kris Tower Scholarship is awarded to eligible candidates that the School of Social Work selects. Eligible candidates must be admitted to the School of Social Work as an undergraduate or graduate student. Recipients must earn a minimum of 12 undergraduate or 9 graduate credits per academic year (fall and spring semesters) and maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative UNR GPA for the duration of the award. A change in major results in the loss of this scholarship. This scholarship is not renewable. Preference will be given to a promising undergraduate or graduate student interested in working with persons with disabilities. See Kris Tower's Memorial page.
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The Heather Morsberger Memorial Scholarship is available to undergraduate (junior or senior) and graduate students majoring in social work with an emphasis in child abuse prevention or child abuse protection who can demonstrate a financial need. Eligible candidates must be social work majors and earn a minimum of 24 University of Nevada, Reno, undergraduate or 18 graduate credits per academic year (fall and spring semesters) and maintain full-time enrollment each semester. Recipients must also maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative UNR GPA for the duration of the award. A change in major will result in the loss of this scholarship.
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The National Association of Social Workers Scholarship is a $500.00 scholarship for either an undergraduate (junior or senior) or a graduate student. A 3.25 GPA is required along with membership in NASW. The essay for this scholarship should focus on commitment to social work and to service and advocacy, as well as applicant's plans for continued involvement in the profession and its professional organizations. One scholarship is awarded each year.
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The School of Social Work Diversity Scholarships available to eligible candidates admitted to the program as an undergraduate or graduate student. The School of Social Work awards these scholarships. Recipients must earn a minimum of 24 undergraduate or 18 graduate credits per academic year (fall and spring semesters) and maintain full-time enrollment each semester. Recipients must also maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative UNR GPA for the duration of the award. A change of major will result in the loss of this scholarship. The Diversity Scholarships honor the profession's commitment to justice and diversity and provide support for students of color and others committed to working with diverse populations. Applicants must submit:
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A letter of introduction which describes why applicant is applying for the scholarship
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A transcript
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A 1-2 page response to the following question: Examine your feelings and attitudes about human diversity issues, and explore the role and influence of applicant's personal racial, ethnic, gender, sexual orientation, and/or cultural background in choosing social work as a profession.
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The Waverlee Scholarship is awarded to eligible candidates that the School of Social Work selects. Eligible candidates must be admitted to the School of Social Work as an undergraduate or graduate student. Recipients are not required to be full-time students, but must maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative UNR GPA for the duration of the award. The scholarship shall be awarded to students that have demonstrated dire financial need and have exhausted all other sources of financial support.
Below are a few of the many other scholarships and awards available to social work students.
American Board of Examiners Excellence in Clinical Scholarship
This scholarship offers $2500 awards to second-year social work master's degree students in a national competition based on the excellence of papers on clinical practice. A copy of the requirements for this scholarship can be obtained from the School of Social Work Office, Ansari Building, Room 523. For more information or follow-up, please visit their website http://www.abecsw.org or leave a message at (800) 694-5310.
Gosnell Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship is for students whose area of concentration is serving Native-American and Hispanic populations. For more information, contact the NASW Office of Affirmative Action, 750 First Street, NE, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20002.
John Fredrick Steinman Fellowship
This scholarship is available to individuals seeking advanced study in social work. For information write to: John F. Steinman Foundation, 8 West King St., Lancaster, PA 17603.
Verne LaMarr Lyons Scholarship
NASW has established a scholarship to honor the memory of Verne LaMarr Lyons. The scholarship will continue his interests in improving health care in African American communities through the training social workers. Priority will be given to a candidate who has demonstrated a commitment to working with or has an affinity with the black community. For an application write to: NASW Research and Education Fund; Verne Lyons Scholarship Committee; 750 First Street, NE, Suite 700; Washington, DC 2002.
The Graham and Jean Sanford Center for Aging
This scholarship is offered to foster greater awareness of aging issues and encourage more students to pursue careers in gerontology and geriatrics. The new Sanford Scholarships provide $2,500 for undergraduates and $5,000 for graduate students. All interested applicants must be full-time students with demonstrated financial need. Undergraduate sophomores, juniors, and seniors are eligible to apply if they have a 3.25 GPA; graduate students must have a 3.5 GPA. For more details, please see their website at: www.unr.edu/sanford/funding/scholarships.htm or contact the Sanford Center for Aging at (775) 784-1801.
Soroptimist International of Truckee Meadows Jack Simon Graduate Scholarship
This $3,500 scholarship is awarded annually to a female graduate student at the University of Nevada, Reno. Applicants should submit college transcripts from all colleges attended plus three current letters of recommendation, preferably from teachers, employers or someone who has worked very closely with the applicant. For more information write to: SITM Education Committee, P.O. Box 20125, Reno, NV, 89515.
Soroptimist International of Truckee Meadows Undergraduate & Graduate Scholarship Fund
Nancy Gomes-Mary Gojack Memorial Scholarships are awarded annually to women returning to school--women who have interrupted academic studies because of family or other considerations and now wish to continue the pursuit of college degrees. Decisions for awards will be based on financial need, family situations, goals, and scholarship. To be eligible for this scholarship, students must be enrolled full-time. Contact Soroptomist International of Truckee Meadows, P.O. Box 20125, Reno, NV 89515.
Cavanaugh Community Volunteer Award
All students who are active community volunteers are invited to apply for the $1000 Cavanaugh Community Volunteer Award. Application forms are available in the Division of Health Sciences, Sarah Fleischmann Building, Room 100.
Henry Albert Senior Public Service Award
These awards go to students who have distinguished themselves in public service, on or off campus, throughout their undergraduate college career. Nominations are due in March. The award is presented each year to no more than four graduating seniors at the "Honor the Best" ceremony in May. Each recipient will receive a $500 award. Names, addresses, and telephone numbers of nominees can be submitted by calling (775) 784-4177.
Outstanding Graduate Student Scholarship
The Graduate Student Association of the University of Nevada , Reno offers several scholarships for outstanding, full-time graduate students. These awards are based strictly upon academic involvement, scholarly merit, professional development, and community involvement during the applicant's tenure as a University of Nevada, Reno graduate student. For current information, please visit: http://www.unr.edu/grad.
The Trellis Foundation
The Trellis Foundation is a non-profit business whose purpose is to support growth in the lesbian community in the areas of education, business, research, public affairs, and the arts. The Trellis program provides economic support to lesbians attending school, starting businesses, pursuing research, seeking office and creating art. This foundation will award educational scholarships, grants, and loans to aid lesbians in furthering their education orvocational skills or who are attending seminars, workshops, or conferences. All applicants must be lesbian and provide a statement of estimated expenses. For more information write to: The Trellis Foundation, P.O. Box 33004, Reno, NV 89533.
Nevada Womens Fund (NWF)
NWF is a publicly supported community foundation established to raise and allocate monies to Nevada's women and children. The amounts to be awarded will range from $500 and up and may be used for academic study or vocational training. For more information write to: Nevada Women's Fund, 770 Smithridge Dr, Ste 300, Reno, NV 89502, www.nevadawomensfund.org, or call (775) 786-2335.
American Association of University Women (AAUW)
The AAUW awards over two million dollars annually in scholarships and grants for formal academic study, individual research, and community action projects to address education and equity for women and girls. Write or call the AAUW Education Foundation at P.O. Box 4030, Iowa City, IA 52243-4030, (319) 337-1716, Fax (319) 337-1204.
Women's Research & Education Institute's Fellowship Program (WREIF)
For information write to: WREIF, 1700 18th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009, or call (202) 328-7070.
National Scholarship Research Service (NSRS)
NSRS is a service that provides a personal database search of existing scholarships. There is a $75 fee for this service. Contact NSRS, 2280 Airport Blvd., Santa Rosa, CA 95403, (707) 546-6777.
Additional Financial Aid Information
Several part-time, research/teaching assistantships for graduate students are available in the School of Social Work. To apply see information included in the admissions packet. There are also a limited number of field internships with stipends. To learn more about these, please contact the Field Education Program Coordinator in the School of Social Work.
For more information visit the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships for University scholarships and schedules.
NATIONAL GRANTS, FELLOWSHIPS, AND AWARDS
Office of Undergraduate (and Graduate) Fellowships
Honors Program, Jot Travis Building, Room 11
(775) 784-1455
tvalenti@unr.edu
Undergraduate and graduate students:
Competitions for the 2011-2012 nationally competitive fellowships have officially been announced.
If you are interested in any of these fellowships and more, RSVP to attend one of the following summer informational sessions: tvalenti@unr.edu (or call 775-784-1455).
Session #1: Monday, June 20, noon, Honors Program, Jot Travis
Session #2: Friday, July 8, 11 am, Honors Program, Jot Travis
Session #3: Wednesday, July 20, noon, Honors Program, Jot Travis
Session #4: Thursday, August 4, noon, Honors Program, Jot Travis
The following awards are highly competitive, demand extensive preparation, and require university nomination. All require a high GPA and an outstanding academic record.
Before attending the informational session, take a look at the eligibility requirements on the specific fellowship websites. A list of fellowships is available at http://www.honors.unr.edu/Fellowships.asp.
FULBRIGHT U.S. STUDENT PROGRAM awards one-year study abroad for seniors, recent graduates and graduate students. Full Grants for Study/Research; Full Grants for English Teaching Assistantship; and Critical Language Enhancement Awards are available for over 140 countries and for all fields of study. Eligibility: U.S. citizens, hold a bachelor’s degree before obtaining the grant, and proficient in the language of the host country, if required. us.fulbrightonline.org/home.html UNR deadline: September 20, 2011. National deadline: October 17, 2011.
RHODES SCHOLARSHIPS award up to three years of study at the University of Oxford. Eligibility: Applicants must be U.S. citizens, must be between 18 and 24 years of age, and hold a bachelor’s degree at the time of acceptance. www.rhodesscholar.org UNR deadline: September 1, 2011. National deadline: October 4, 2011.
BRITISH MARSHALL SCHOLARSHIPS are available to graduating seniors for one to two years of study at the graduate level at a United Kingdom institution in any field of study. Eligibility: U.S. citizens, a bachelor's degree at time of acceptance. www.marshallscholarship.org UNR deadline: September 1, 2011. National deadline: October 3, 2011.
GEORGE J. MITCHELL SCHOLARSHIPS sponsors a one-year post-bachelor research or study in any discipline offered at any university in the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland. Eligibility: Applicants must be U.S. citizens, have earned a bachelor’s degree before October, and be between the ages of 18 and 29 on October 1. Universities must nominate candidates. www.us-irelandalliance.org UNR deadline: September 1, 2011. National deadline: October 4, 2011.
BARRY M. GOLDWATER SCHOLARSHIP offers $7,500 scholarships to college juniors and seniors who intend to pursue careers in mathematics, the natural sciences, or engineering. Eligibility: U.S. citizens or residents, full-time sophomores or juniors www.act.org/goldwater
UNR deadline: Thursday, December 1, 2011; National deadline: February 1, 2012
HARRY S. TRUMAN SCHOLARSHIPS awards $30,000 for graduate study for juniors committed to careers in government, the non-profit or advocacy sectors, education or elsewhere in the public service. Eligibility: U.S. citizens or nationals, full-time junior-level students, in the upper quarter of their class, and extensive records of public and community service. www.truman.gov UNR deadline: December 1, 2011. National deadline: February 3, 2011.
MORRIS K. UDALL UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS award up to $5,000 to sophomore and junior level college students committed to careers related to the environment, tribal public policy, or Native American health care. Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent resident aliens, matriculated sophomores or juniors. www.udall.gov UNR deadline: January 20, 2011. National deadline: March, 2012.