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Ready to find out what MSU Denver can do for you? We’ve got you covered.
Whether you are a continuing social work student or preparing to start the MSW Program in Summer/Fall 2024, it’s time to start thinking about ways to fund the 2024-25 academic year. This page contains resources to help you understand and navigate these funding opportunities.
Preparing to Receive Funding
Did you know that to be aid-eligible for many types of awards you need to fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) OR the Colorado Application for State Financial Aid (CASFA)? That’s right! Financial aid does not just come in the form of loans, there are scholarships and other types of award money available to social work students, however funders often cannot find you if you have not filled out the FAFSA or CASFA.
The CASFA has replaced the Dreamer Student Application for Institutional Aid (DAIA). If you are a Dreamer, DACA, ASSET, or International student, please complete the CASFA to be eligible for state and institutional need-based aid.
Please make sure you complete a FAFSA or CAFSA for the 2024-2025 aid year. Keep in mind, you will need to have your 2022 tax information available for the FAFSA. Complete the FAFSA or CASFA as soon as possible! Some need-based awards have limited funds and the Office of Financial Aid begins to award eligible students based on the date the submitted these applications until the funds run out.
Resources:
FAFSA Application: https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa
CASFA Information: https://cdhe.colorado.gov/students/preparing-for-college/colorado-application-for-state-financial-aid
CASFA Application: https://cdhestudentxprod.regenteducation.net/signin
MSU Denver Financial Aid and Scholarship Center: https://www.msudenver.edu/financialaid/
Scholarships for the 2024-25 Academic Year
Do I have to pay it back?
Depends on the opportunity
Who Can Apply?
Students who plan to be enrolled in the BSSW or MSW Program in the 2024-25 academic year.
How to Apply
Visit https://www.msudenver.edu/financial-aid/scholarships/ *Note: If you are applying to the MSW Program for a Summer/Fall 2024 start, you will not be able to apply for MSU Denver scholarships until after you are accepted to the MSW Program
A FAFSA or CASFA is often times required.
For More Information
Contact the MSU Denver Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships
https://www.msudenver.edu/financial-aid/scholarships/
Awards Available
Commitment to Diversity Scholarship = $5,000
Gerontology Scholarship = $5,000
Bilingual Scholarship = $10,000
Roadrunners Rising Scholarship = $3,500
Do I have to pay it back?
No
Who Can Apply?
Students who plan to be enrolled in the MSW Program in the 2024-25 academic year.
MSW Program applicants who are waiting for admissions decisions are encouraged to apply.
How to Apply
The application can be found on our website.
FAFSA or CASFA not required to apply.
Deadline: February 15, 2024 at 11:59 PM
For More Information
Contact the Office of Social Work Student Services at [email protected]
Do I have to pay it back?
No
Who Can Apply?
Students who plan to be enrolled in the MSW Program in the 2024-25 academic year.
How to Apply
Fill out a FAFSA or CASFA for the 2024-25 aid year.
The MSW Program will identify awards based on data from FAFSA and CASFA. There is no need to apply. You will be automatically considered if you complete a FAFSA or CASFA.
For More Information
Contact the Office of Social Work Student Services at [email protected]
Workforce Development Stipend Programs for the 2024-25 Academic Year
Formerly known as the Child Welfare Stipend Program.
Do I have to pay it back?
No, but you do have to work for 1 year (12 months) post degree in an approved child welfare setting at a county Department of Human Services in Colorado for each year you receive CCWSC funding.
Award Amounts
$3,500 to $14,000 per academic year
Who Can Apply
BSSW or MSW Program students who agree to the parameters of the award.
Eligibility varies for part-time and full-time students. Click on the link under “For More Information” to see if you are eligible.
MSW Program applicants who are waiting for admissions decisions are encouraged to apply.
How to Apply
The 2024-25 application opened in December 2023. Visit the CCWSC website for more information.
Submit your application by January 31, 2024 for priority consideration (REQUIRED for returning scholars). The final application deadline is March 31, 2024.
New applicants can submit an application at any time prior to the above deadlines.
Students who apply by the “priority deadline” will participate in an interview in February and be notified in early March.
Students who apply by the “final deadline” will participate in an interview April and be notified in early May.
FAFSA or CASFA not required to apply.
For More Information
Have questions? Please email us: [email protected].
Do I have to pay it back?
No, but you do have to work for 1 year (12 months) post-graduation in a behavioral, mental or integrated health care setting which provides services to children, youth, transition-age youth and their families in vulnerable, rural, or medically underserved areas in Colorado.
Award Amounts
$10,000 per academic year
Who Can Apply
Students who meet the following criteria are eligible to apply:
- Current MSW Program student or incoming Advanced Standing MSW Program student; AND
- Entering their Concentration Field Placement in their Concentration/Final year of the MSW Program in the 2024-2025 academic year; AND
- In good academic standing; AND
- Willing to complete a field placement in a HRSA eligible agency.
MSW Program applicants who applied to the Advanced Standing Program as a full-time student and are waiting for admissions decisions are encouraged to apply.
How to Apply
The application will be available on the HRSA Stipend Program website beginning Friday, January 12, 2024.
Deadline: Friday, March 8, 2024 at 5:00 PM (Mountain Time)
Interviews will take place in late March or early April. HRSA Scholars will be required to register for a HRSA designated field experience course section.
FAFSA or CASFA not required to apply.
Do I have to pay it back?
No, but you do have to work for 1 year (12 months) post-graduation in a medically underserved community in Colorado, with a focus on serving individuals on Health First Colorado/Medicaid for each year you receive CoAccess funding.
Award Amounts
$5,000 per academic year for undergraduate students, $8,000 per academic year for graduate students.
Who Can Apply
BSSW Student Eligibility
For undergraduate student to be eligible to apply, they must:
- Be entering their final year of the Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW) Program at MSU Denver;
- Have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher;
- Have a field placement in a mental or behavioral health setting;
- Commit to applying for and attending (if accepted) the MSU Denver Advanced Standing Master of Social Work (MSW) Program;
- For each year of funding received, commit to 1 year of clinical work in a medically underserved community in Colorado following MSW completion, with a focus on serving individuals on Health First Colorado/Medicaid.
If you are an applicant who is from any of the following underrepresented communities, we encourage you to indicate this on your application as this project is focused on building diversity in the healthcare workforce:
- Bilingual;
- Bicultural;
- Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC);
- First-Generation College Student;
- Veteran;
- Member of the LGBTQIA+ community;
- Any other underrepresented community not explicitly listed above
MSW Student Eligibility
For a graduate student to eligible to apply, they must:
- Be entering their final year of the Master of Social Work (MSW) Program at MSU Denver;
- Have a cumulative MSW Program GPA of 3.0 or higher (if a continuing student entering their final year) or have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher (if a newly admitted Advanced Standing student entering their final year);
- Have a field placement in a mental or behavioral health setting;
- For each year of funding received, commit to 1 year of clinical work in a medically underserved community in Colorado following MSW completion, with a focus on serving individuals on Health First Colorado/Medicaid.
If you are an applicant who is from any of the following underrepresented communities, we encourage you to indicate this on your application as this project is focused on building diversity in the healthcare workforce:
- Bilingual;
- Bicultural;
- Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC);
- First-Generation College Student;
- Veteran;
- Member of the LGBTQIA+ community;
- Any other underrepresented community not explicitly listed above
MSW Program applicants who applied to the Advanced Standing Program and are waiting for admissions decisions are encouraged to apply.
How to Apply
The application will be available on the CoAccess Scholars website beginning Friday, January 12, 2024.
Deadline: Friday, March 8, 2024 at 5:00 PM (Mountain Time)
Interviews will take place in late March or early April. MSW Program CoAccess Scholars will be required to register for a HRSA designated field experience course section.
FAFSA or CASFA not required to apply.
Student Employment Opportunities
The Department of Social Work offers several types of student employment opportunities, including research and teaching assistant positions. Visit our website to learn more about these positions and their application processes: https://www.msudenver.edu/social-work/student-employment/