Smith SSW has several specific types of merit aid that are determined at the time of admission. In general, consideration for merit scholarships is given to those applicants awarded grant aid so a FAFSA is required. Separate application requirements may be necessary. Please review the details for each.
In general, merit scholarships are awarded on a two-year basis for 27-month M.S.W. students and on a one-year basis for students granted advanced standing or via transfer.
Please review our aid policies for important information.
Recipients will possess intellectual curiosity and a passion for social work as evidenced in extracurricular activities, volunteer/community efforts and/or work experience. They will demonstrate an exceptional commitment to social work and social work values including a commitment to diversity and will have excelled academically in previous coursework.
Amount: Awards range from $1,500 to $7,100 per year.
Length of Award: Two-year commitment.
Application: No separate application is required.
$3,000 merit awards will be added to the financial aid packets of five exceptional B.S.W. graduates.
Application: Early admission application required.
The Dean's Award for Social Justice recognizes extensive experience that demonstrates an extraordinary capacity and commitment to serve communities of color and social justice.
Amount: Awards range from $1,500 to $11,000 per year.
Length of Award: Two-year commitment.
Application: No separate application is required.
Endowment Practicum Awards are additional financial assistance provided by named endowment funds awarded to individual students assigned to particular internship sites or working with specific populations.
In general, practicum stipends are disbursed in September and if a credit balance is created on the student account, a refund will be generated through the standard SFS refund process.
Amount: Awards range from $2,000 to $10,000 per year.
Length of Award: Awarded annually and are available only for one year.
Application: No separate application is required.
The Five College Circle of Scholars Scholarship is awarded to an exceptional incoming M.S.W. student who applies by the 5CCS deadline (November 30) and is, or will be, a graduate of one of the Five Colleges: Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, Smith College or the University of Massachusetts Amherst; one award is made to a student from each of the Five Colleges.
Amount: Award amount is $3,000.
Length of Award: Two-year commitment.
Application: No separate application is required.
The Smith College School for Social Work is pleased to announce the Batliwalla Scholarship Fund in support of visually impaired students.
Amount: The scholarship will cover the full cost of tuition, housing and food plan (during the summer residential period) over the full 27-month period of the M.S.W. program and offer a generous living stipend during the practicum period. This scholarship is awarded every other year to an incoming student who meets the criteria.
Length of Award: This prestigious award is renewable each academic year provided the award recipient remains in good standing in academic and practicum work.
Application: To qualify, students must submit all required M.S.W. program application materials and qualify for admission.
Separate from application materials, applicants interested in being considered for this scholarship must submit a doctor’s letter including a statement addressing the applicant’s the visual impairment. This official letter must be sent via mail to:
Smith College SSW
Lilly Hall
Office of Admission
Northampton, MA 01063
For more details on this scholarship and how to apply, contact the Office of Graduate Enrollment at sswadm@smith.edu or (413) 585-7960.
The Morningstar Scholarship recognizes a dedicated candidate committed to populations to whom social work is committed and who has exceptional potential to contribute to the social work profession.
Amount: The scholarship covers all tuition and on-campus housing and food plan expenses (during the summer residential periods) over the full 27-month period of the M.S.W. program.
Length of Award: This prestigious award is renewable each academic year provided the award recipient remains in good standing in academic and practicum work.
Application: No separate application is required.
A limited number REX Scholarships will be awarded to members of each entering class who are graduates of the on-campus REX program.
Amount: Awards range from $4,000 to $11,000 per year.
Length of Award: Two-year commitment.
Application: No separate application is required.
The Salinger Scholarship was established in memory of a 1952 alumna to provide financial support to a student who has demonstrated leadership abilities and shows exceptional promise for the profession.
Amount: The scholarship covers all tuition expenses over the full 27 month period.
Length of Award: This prestigious award is renewable each academic year provided the award recipient remains in good standing in academic and practicum work.
Application: No separate application is required.
This merit scholarship is awarded to applicants who qualify for need-based aid and have demonstrated exceptional commitment to working with trans and GNC clients and to addressing issues related to transgender and gender non-conforming people.
Amount: The average award is $3,000.
Each summer a returning SSW student is selected from a pool of applicants as a Head Resident (HR). The HR is a member of the administrative staff of the College. The HR is expected to act as a liaison between the residents of the house and the various service departments of the College and be regularly available to students as a source of information, advice, and help. The HR receives a grant in the amount of the housing and food plan charge for the summer. If a student has already borrowed up to the full cost of attendance when the HR award is made, the amount of HR grant will reduce the amount of loan borrowed.
The Scholarship for Military Personnel is awarded annually to a member of the military or to a Veteran who makes a commitment to work with the mental health issues of military personnel and their families upon graduation.
It is important to note that for some military education benefits, we are required to report net tuition: tuition and fees less any tuition waiver, scholarship or grant aid. A "net zero" certification would still entitle a Veteran to receive their applicable housing and book allowance, but not the education benefit.
Amount: The scholarship guarantees full tuition for the 27-month program, as well as on campus housing and food plan (during the summer residential periods). Recipient will also be given preference in the assignment of the geographic location for their internship (to be selected from the SSW listing of geographic options available).
Length of Award: This prestigious award is renewable each academic year provided the award recipient remains in good standing in academic and practicum work.
Application: Separate application required. See detail below.
Criteria for Consideration
Applicants must be either in active duty, a Veteran or retired. Applicants may be affiliated with any branch of the military, including the Coast Guard, National Guard and Reserves. Applicants must have completed their bachelor's degree.
To apply, submit the following with your admission application by emailing sswapp@smith.edu:
- A one-page statement outlining your affiliation with the military and describing your professional goals upon graduation of serving the mental health needs of military personnel and their dependents
- A copy of your ID card or DD214
- 2023-2024 FAFSA: Smith College SSW Code: E00522
Note: For FAFSA purposes, applicants to a graduate program are designated "independent" and do not provide parent information on the FAFSA. All application materials are due by the Non-Binding Early Admission deadline date of January 5.
More Information: For more information about this award, contact sswadm@smith.edu.
The Smith College School for Social Work is proud to be a sponsor of the Yellow Ribbon Program for our nation's Veterans. The program was created as part of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Act of 2008. Students seeking a master's degree can apply for assistance through this program. Students must complete a Yellow Ribbon Benefits Request Form to be considered. Funding is limited and will be issued on a first come, first served basis. Awarding will be determined by the date and time this form is returned to the appropriate office. Any student applying for this benefit is encouraged to fax or email the completed form. This program is only open to those Veterans who have met the necessary qualifications for enrollment in this program. Eligibility criteria can be viewed on the GI Bill Website.
Any student awarded funding through the Yellow Ribbon Program will continue to receive this benefit as long as they remain in good academic standing and Smith continues to participate in the program. Students must also have a remaining entitlement through the Veteran's Administration (VA). Yearly funding levels will depend on the amount Smith commits to this program.
2017-2018 Yellow Ribbon Funding Level
Graduate School for Social Work: One student up to $5,000
The funding levels above will be matched by a direct contribution from the VA. Eligible students meeting the application criteria will be awarded the benefit regardless of whether they qualify for need-based assistance. This benefit will replace need-based grant assistance on a dollar for dollar basis, per our outside aid policy. Students accepted into Smith's Yellow Ribbon program will be required to present their VA Certificate of Eligibility (COE) to a School Certifying Official.