Scholarships and Awards for BSW Students

Please complete the IU general scholarship application at one.IU.edu. Once you submit the completed general application, you can search for Social Work scholarships in the application portal.

Theodora Allen Memorial Scholarship #

Theodora Allen was born in Montana in the early 1900s. She earned her Master’s Degree in Social Work at the University of Chicago. Prior to joining the IU faculty, she held supervisory positions in child welfare in New York, Illinois and Indiana. She also worked with the United Nations Relief Administration in the U.S. and Europe during and after WWII assisting displaced persons and refugee children. She joined IUSSW as a faculty member on the Bloomington campus in 1957 and retired in 1972. Subsequently, she was very active as a volunteer in the Bloomington community and helped to establish Meals on Wheels and a social work department in the Bloomington Hospital. This fund was established in 2003 to be awarded to BSW students from the Bloomington campus who demonstrate an interest in interpersonal course work.

Requirements (Bloomington campus only):

BSW student on Bloomington campus.
Describe your interest in interpersonal course work. (500 word essay)

Agnes Anderson Memorial Fund #

Agnes Anderson was a faculty member of the IU Division of Social Service from 1945 to 1956. A fund was established in 1956 in memorial to Agnes Anderson awarding a current student for their distinguished academic achievements.

Requirements:

BSW or MSW student.
Describe your distinguished academic achievements. (500 word essay)

Barbara Hirsch Bass Scholarship/Fellowship #

Barbara Hirsch Bass earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Service from IU in 1956. As a volunteer, she has helped people cope with mental illness so that they could lead independent and productive lives. This fund was established in 2006 to be used to support scholarships for students pursuing a degree at IUSSW.

Requirements:

BSW or MSW student.
Describe your commitment to a career in social service and how the student will utilize funds from this award. (500 word essay)

Stephanie Allison Black Scholarship #

Stephanie Allison Black received her MSW from the IU School of Social Work in 1996. She was an Indianapolis Public Schools social worker. She was also an activist and volunteer for a number of organizations including Neo-Fight Center, Students Run Indy, and the AGAPE Program. She was instrumental in founding the baby rocking program at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis and she served on the IUSSW Alumni Board. This fund was established in 2001 in her honor to be awarded to a non-traditional student planning to practice in school social work.

Requirements (IU Indianapolis campus only):

IU Indianapolis IUSSW student entering his/her senior year in the BSW program or his/her first year in the MSW program.
Describe your return to school as a non-traditional student and your career goals OR your career plans to practice in the field of education (500 word essay).

Sharon Kay Arvin Byrkett Social Work Scholarship #

Sharon Byrkett led the kind of life that most people would have found exhausting. Being born with Muscular Dystrophy certainly didn’t slow her down. Sharon, who received her degree in social work at IUPUI in 1984, was a role model and advocate for people with disabilities. She was recognized by a variety of groups and was awarded the local and state “Outstanding Achievement Award for MDA as well as the “James Pauley Life Time Achievement Award.” Sharon divided her talents among a number of groups. She served on the Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities, she was a delegate to the National Council for People with Disabilities and served on the board of the Indiana Association for People in Supported Employment as well as Easter Seals. Sharon’s husband, Gary, created a scholarship fund in Sharon’s memory in 2018 to assist students with disabilities, a group Sharon devoted her energies to help.

Requirements:

BSW or MSW student.
Student must have a demonstrated disability, physical disabilities are preferred. (Applicant may be asked to verify they have a disability by providing a physician letter or verification that they are registered with Office of Adaptive Educational Services.
Describe your path to social work as a career, and how your disability has influenced/impacted you. Also include financial need for scholarship. (500 word essay)

Pearlann S. Gould Social Work Scholarship #

Pearlann Gould received her Master of Arts degree in Social Service in 1965. Her social work career in mental health spanned over 30 years at the VA Hospital in Marion, Indiana. Ms. Gould recognizes the financial challenges many student face, and wanted to help minimize student loan debt of social work students.

Requirements:

BSW or MSW student
Student must have financial need.
Describe your aspirations to pursue a career in social work. Include one paragraph outlining your financial need for this scholarship. (500 word essay)

IUSSW Undergraduate Education Scholarship #

This fund was established in 1997 for students who have demonstrated a need for financial assistance and are pursuing a BSW degree on either the Bloomington or Indianapolis campuses. The award will be made on the recommendation of the Director of Undergraduate Program, IU School of Social Work. The number, amount, and recipients of the scholarship will be determined by the Scholarship Committee of the School.

Requirements (IU Indianapolis and IU Bloomington campuses only):

BSW student.
IU Indianapolis and IU Bloomington campuses.
Describe your academic achievements. Include one paragraph outlining your financial need for this scholarship. (500 word essay).

Dr. Carol Hostetter Scholarship #

The late P.A. Mack established this scholarship in honor of Dr. Carol Hostetter to support an IU Bloomington undergraduate student who has aspirations of pursuing a career in social work. Dr. Hostetter has been awarded several prestigious research grants, including grants to evaluate the effectiveness of the state of Indiana’s training program for child welfare workers; and for determining the educational needs of child welfare case managers. Along with her research, Hostetter has been a leader in the scholarship of teaching and learning, having served as Director of the Mack Center for the Advanced Inquiry in Teaching and Learning since 2005.

Requirements: (Bloomington campus only):

BSW student on the Bloomington campus.
Describe your aspirations to pursue social work career. (500 word essay)

Bradly Robert Lighty Memorial Scholarship #

Bradly Lighty was a faculty member and student advisor at IUSSW. He was also an alumnus of the school, having graduated in 1997 with his MSW degree. He was a champion of students and he found good in every person. He was beloved by his students, colleagues and friends. This fund was established in his honor in 2005 for students who are pursuing a BSW degree.

Requirements:

BSW student.
Describe your passion for the social work profession. (500 word essay)

Genevieve Means McLeod Scholarship #

Genevieve Means McLeod received a B.A. in Sociology from IU in 1920 and also completed coursework for an M.A. in Social Work from IU. She worked for the Marion County Department of Public Welfare in Indianapolis and also worked in the Social Service Department of the Indianapolis Public Schools. She tirelessly practiced the values of the Social Work profession in both paid and voluntary positions throughout the city of Indianapolis. This fund was established in 2000 to be awarded to a female student achieving academic excellence (a GPA of 3.0) and having a demonstrated financial need.

Requirements:

BSW or MSW student.
Preference given to women.
Student must have GPA of 3.0 or above.
Describe your academic achievements. Include one paragraph (no more than 50 words) stating the financial reasons that may affect your ability to complete course of study within the IU School of Social Work (500 word essay)

Dean Jo And State Rep. Joseph Micon Jr. Social Work Scholarship #

Jo Micon earned her MSW from Case Western Reserve University and Joseph Micon, Jr. received his MSW degree from Indiana University. Their MSW careers spanned 38 years, including Jo’s 14 years as Dean of the IVY Tech Lafayette Campus School of Public Affairs and Social Services, and Joseph’s 30 years as Executive Director of the Lafayette Urban Ministry and his service in the Indiana House of Representatives. This fund was established in 2019 to support undergraduate scholarships for students who have transferred from IVY Tech Human Services program.

Requirements: (IU Indianapolis campus only):

BSW student on the IU Indianapolis campus.
Student must have transferred from the IVY Tech Human Services program with a minimum 2.5 IVY Tech GPA.
Student must have financial need.
Describe your aspirations to pursue a career in social work, Include one paragraph outlining your financial need for this scholarship. (500 word essay)

Mondonna Pang Endowment #

Mondonna Pang was born in 1901. She graduated from Indiana University in 1931 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology. She was employed at the Marion, Indiana VA Hospital starting in 1946. This hospital provided care for veterans with psychiatric illnesses and many of them were diagnosed with schizophrenia. She died in 1989. This fund was established in 1990 for scholarships to be awarded to students interested in working in the mental health field, particularly with persons affected by schizophrenia and other related disorders.

Requirements (IU Indianapolis campus only):

BSW or MSW student on IU Indianapolis campus.
Describe your commitment to the area of mental health, particularly with persons affected by schizophrenia and other related disorders. (500 word essay)

Patchner Family Endowed Scholarship #

The Patchner Family Endowed Scholarship was originally established in May, 2010. The intent of the Donors and the Foundation is that this gift be used to support undergraduate scholarship or graduate fellowships for students in the School of Social Work, who intend to prepare for a career in the service of people with developmental disabilities.

Requirements:

BSW or MSW student.
Describe your interest/work in the field of developmental disabilities. (500 word essay)

Pocket Change for Social Change #

The Pocket Change for Social Change Undergraduate Scholarship is a scholarship supported by faculty, staff, students, alumni, and the Indiana community. Created by students for students. It was created to support students who demonstrate immediate financial need, personal or academic, which directly impedes their ability to continue their academic pursuits. The scholarship is funded only for the spring semester of every year. All social work undergraduate students enrolled in their last academic year, with a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale, are eligible. The scholarship is not renewable. The scholarship is in the amount of $500 and the recipient of the scholarship will be reviewed by the Associate Dean or by other designated reviewer. Students from any IUSSW campus may apply.

Requirements:

BSW student enrolled in their last academic year.
GPA of 2.5 or above on a 4.0 scale.
One-page double spaced narrative describing factors impeding student’s continuance of academic pursuit and a description of student’s financial need.

Carlene Arteel Quinn Undergraduate Social Work Scholarship #

Sumiko Shuminsky, BSW 2008, created a scholarship in 2020 to honor her professor and mentor, Carlene Quinn. Sumiko, in her own words said of Carlene, “If you ask yourself, what kind of person gives you their time and undoubted encouragement, for no reason other than to see you succeed? And, that very person helps you see what you need to build yourself up, to be the best you can be. To think of what kind of a person can inspire you to try harder when you feel like giving up? Selfless seems to fall a bit short in describing her caring nature, but it paints a good picture of what I am trying to explain. It’s all because she did care, not because she had to. All because she believed in me.”

This scholarship will support BSW students studying on the Bloomington campus.

Requirements (IU Bloomington campus only):

BSW student on the Bloomington campus.
IU scholarship “General Essay” (additional essay is not required).

Minnie And Mary Rigg Fellowship #

A fund established in honor of Minnie and Mary Rigg that awards a female student who has demonstrated a commitment to working with community-based agencies with philosophical ties to the settlement house movement.

Requirements:

Female BSW or MSW student.
Describe your commitment to working with community-based agencies with philosophical ties to the settlement house movement. (500 word essay)

Sheldon And Natalie Siegel #

The late, Dr. Sheldon Siegel served as Dean of IUSSW from 1985 to 1994 and later as the interim Dean from 1999 to 2000. His wife is Dr. Natalie Siegel, LCSW, LMFT, a long-time private practitioner and psychotherapist. Natalie Siegel has taught at the University of Michigan, the University of Cincinnati and Indiana University. In 1994, Sheldon Siegel was awarded the distinguished Sagamore of the Wabash for his work as chair of the state commission on abused and neglected children and their families. In April 2008, Dr. Sheldon Siegel was presented with the Community Leadership Award for his work with senior citizens. This scholarship honors his dedication to the profession of social work. This fund was established in 1994 to provide scholarships for students working in or demonstrating a commitment to the field of community organization and development.

Requirements:

BSW or MSW student.
Describe your commitment to community organizing and development. (May demonstrate through field placement, volunteer experience, or employment.) 500 word essay

Ssw Alumni Association Scholarship Fund #

A fund established in 1996 to provide scholarship for BSW and MSW students with high academic achievements as well as financial need. Applicant must submit a 1-2 page, double-spaced narrative, describing your academic achievements and how you have set an example of service at IUSSW or in the community. Also, include one paragraph stating the financial reasons that may affect your ability to complete your course of study with the IU School of Social Work.

Requirements:

BSW student in final year of studies.
High academic achievement – GPA must rank in top 10% of their class.
Describe your academic achievements and how you have set an example of service. Include one paragraph (no more than 50 words) stating the financial reasons that may affect your ability to complete course of study within the IU School of Social Work. (500 word essay)

Additional Scholarship Opportunity For Iu Bloomington Students #

Judy Talley Scholarship #

Judith “Judy” Talley was a well-respected medical social worker in the Bloomington community for many years. She served as a medical social worker, then as the director of Medical Social Services at the hospital until her appointment overseeing the Bloomington Hospital Foundation. She was an advocate for health and mental health care services who was instrumental in the establishment of the Hospice of Bloomington. Throughout her career, Judy served on a number of community and professional boards and was a past president of the Indiana Society for Hospital Social Work Directors. In honor of Judy, her friends chose to establish the annual Judy Talley Scholarship award, which is to be given to a deserving undergraduate social work student who is in good academic standing at Indiana University Bloomington. Strong candidates for this scholarship will have demonstrated a commitment to working in health care, mental health, and/or hospice care. The scholarship is renewable.

This scholarship is administered by the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County and requires a separate application form. If you are interested in applying for this scholarship, please contact the IU Bloomington BSW Program Director (Carol Hostetter, chostett@indiana.edu) to request an application form*. Application deadline for this scholarship is February 1, 2024

Requirements (Bloomington campus only – requires separate application form*):

BSW student on Bloomington campus.
GPA of 3.0 or above.
Two-page double spaced narrative indicating interest and commitment to working to enhance health and mental health care services, preferably in the Bloomington community.
One letter of recommendation from a social work practitioner.