Scholarships

Applications are open. Deadline is January 25, 2026.

For the 2025-26 academic year, the University of Washington has returned graduate student tuition funds to the School of Social Work and Criminal Justice in the form of merit scholarships. Awards typically range between $2000 and $5000, depending on the number of applications received and competitiveness of the applicant pool. Preference will be given to applicants who have the highest financial need. Financial need will be determined by the UW Tacoma Financial Aid Office with data received from the individual's 2025-2026 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). These funds support a tuition rebate, lowering the cost of tuition for the student. This scholarship is not a cash award and cannot be applied to fees, books, or any expenses other than tuition.

Application criteria and procedures are described below. Eligible applicants must continue their degree progression through Spring quarter 2026 when funds will be disbursed.

Criteria:

• Currently enrolled University of Washington Tacoma MSW student in good standing (cumulative 3.3 GPA), with successful completion of at least one quarter of coursework as a matriculated student
• Demonstrated sustained academic excellence or shown academic improvement over time (as evidenced by cumulative program GPA)
• Continuous enrollment from winter quarter 2026 through Spring quarter 2026

Application Procedure:

To apply for this scholarship, applicants must provide the following to the School of Social Work and Criminal Justice. 

• Completed Graduate Merit Scholarship Application
• An unofficial UW Tacoma transcript (printed from MyUW)
• Complete a 2025-26 FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov and list the "University of Washington Seattle, WA" as a school which information should be released to. The University of Washington Title IV code is 003798. Please note that while the priority deadline may have passed, it may not too late to complete the FAFSA if you have not previously done so.
• A personal statement addressing the following prompt:
  • This scholarship provides funds to MSW students actively working for peace and justice. Please describe in detail your commitment to the social, political, and/or economic endeavors which benefit your community.
  • The length of your statement should be 1-2 pages, typed, double-spaced, with size 11 or 12 font. The strength of the content and composition of the essay will be factors used in scoring each application.

• Upload materials to your application webform.

  Application Deadline: Sunday, January 25, 2026 (by midnight)

   

Applications are open. Application deadline is January 25, 2026.

Established by Steve (UWT MSW alum) and Joane Moceri (former UWT Nursing faculty), the distributions for this fund are split between Social Work and Nursing. For our program’s portion, the purpose is to directly support graduate students in the MSW degree program. Student selection is based on academic merit or financial need (financial need not required). Must be current students in good academic standing at the time the funds are awarded and distributed. Any MSW student who is a prior recipient of this fellowship can reapply for the fellowship in a subsequent academic year.

Application criteria and procedures are described below. Eligible applicants must continue their degree progression through spring quarter, when the funds will be awarded. A fellowship in the amount of $1500 will be awarded during the 2026 spring quarter. The successful recipient will be contacted by the Office of Advancement to write a “thank you” to the donor.

Criteria:

• Currently enrolled University of Washington Tacoma MSW student in good standing at the time of the fellowship application with successful completion of at least one quarter of coursework by the time of the fellowship disbursement.
• Continuous enrollment from winter quarter 2026 through spring quarter 2026.

Application Procedure:

To apply for this scholarship, applicants must provide the following to the School of Social Work and Criminal Justice. 

• Completed Joane T. and Stephen P. Moceri Endowed Fellowship application.
• An unofficial UW Tacoma transcript (printed from (MyUW).
• Complete a 2025-2026 FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov and list the “University of Washington Seattle, WA” as a school to which information should be released. The University of Washington Title IV code is 003798. Please note that while the priority deadline has passed, it is not too late to complete the FAFSA if you have not previously done so.
• A personal statement addressing the following:

Please discuss in detail your commitment to the social work profession and how you have utilized your social work knowledge and expertise to promote social justice, address a specific social problem, and/or work with communities.

• The maximum length of your statement should be 2 typed, double-spaced pages. Please use a 12 pt. font.
• Upload materials to your application webform.

Application Deadline: Sunday, January 25, 2026 (by midnight).

Applications are open. Application deadline is January 25, 2026.

As a result of a generous donation from Marc Walters, the University of Washington Tacoma School of Social Work and Criminal Justice is offering scholarship opportunities in the amount of $1000 to UW Tacoma students enrolled in social work, social welfare and criminal justice degree programs students who are working or have an interest in utilizing behavioral health skills in their future employment. This includes de-escalation skills, anger management, addictions treatment, stress and coping, mindfulness, treatment adherence, crisis intervention, etc.  

Application procedures are described below.  Eligible applicants are students continuing their degree progression in Spring quarter 2026, when the scholarship funds will be awarded. Successful recipient(s) will be encouraged to write a “thank you” to the donor.

Criteria:

• Currently enrolled University of Washington Tacoma CJ, BASW, or MSW students in good standing at the time of scholarship application with successful completion of at least one quarter of coursework in their major/program by the time of the scholarship disbursement.
• Continuous enrollment from winter quarter 2026 through spring 2026 quarter.

Application Procedure:

To apply for this scholarship, applicants must provide the following to the School of Social Work and Criminal Justice. 

• Completed Marc Walters Behavioral Health Scholarship Application
• An unofficial UW Tacoma transcript (downloaded from MyUW).
• A personal statement addressing your interest in and goals related to behavioral health, and how you plan to utilize behavioral health skills in the field upon graduation from UW Tacoma. The length of the statement should be 1-2 pages, typed, double-spaced, with 11 or 12 point font.
• Upload materials to your application webform

Application deadline: Sunday, January 25, 2026 (by midnight).

Applications are open. Application deadline is January 25. 2026.

As a result of continued and generous donations to the University of Washington Tacoma School of Social Work and Criminal Justice (SSWCJ), scholarships ranging from $200 to $500 are available for spring quarter 2026. The one-time awards are available to UW Tacoma students enrolled in social work, social welfare and criminal justice degree programs.

Eligible applicants are students continuing their degree progression in spring quarter 2026, when the scholarship funds will be awarded.

Criteria:

• Currently enrolled University of Washington Tacoma CJ, BASW, or MSW students in good standing at the time of scholarship application with successful completion of at least one quarter of coursework in their major/program by the time of the scholarship disbursement.
• Continuous enrollment from winter quarter 2026 through spring quarter 2026. 

Application Procedure:

To apply for this scholarship, applicants must provide the following information to the School of Social Work and Criminal Justice. 

• Completed School of Social Work and Criminal Justice Scholarship Application
• An unofficial UW Tacoma transcript (printed from MyUW)
• An essay addressing your efforts to change lives through enriching communities. Your essay should address the following:
  • Part 1: The SSWCJ is proud of the strong ties we have in the South Puget Sound community. Please write about your previous and/or current experiences with community support, development, or engagement. For example, your active role to improve community conditions, participation or leadership in neighborhood organizing and empowerment, starting a community group for mutual support, assuming a leadership role in providing community education/training in partnership with community agencies, or your active role in improving an existing program or developing a new program that better meets community needs.
  • Part 2: Please explain how this scholarship will assist you in achieving your educational and professional goals.
• The length of the essay should be 1-2 pages, typed, double-spaced, with 11 or 12 point font.
• Upload materials to your application webform

Application deadline: Sunday, January 25, 2026 (by midnight).

Applications are now open. Application deadline is January 25, 2026.

As a result of generous donations from Associate Professor Emerita. Janice Laakso and her husband, John Laakso, the School of Social Work and Criminal Justice will offer financial support for participation in policy-focused activities to students enrolled in BASW and MSW programs. Jacque DaCamara was a cousin and close friend of the donors and shared with them a passion for politics, the political process, and making a difference through advocacy. There will be a $1000 scholarship awarded to a recipient from the BASW or MSW programs.

Application procedures are described below. Eligible applicants are students continuing their degree progression when the scholarship funds will be awarded. Successful applicant(s) will be encouraged to write a “thank you” to the donor.

Criteria:

• Currently enrolled University of Washington Tacoma BASW or MSW student in good standing.
• Continuous enrollment from winter quarter 2026 through spring quarter 2026.
• Must not have been a prior recipient of this award.

Application Procedure:

To apply for this financial support, applicants must provide the following information to the School of Social Work & Criminal Justice. Please email materials to swcj@uw.edu.

• Completed Jacque DaCamara Endowed Student Support Fund Application
• An unofficial UW Tacoma transcript (printed from MyUW)

• A personal statement addressing your interest in and goals related to social welfare policy and advocacy. Discuss various activities in which you participate that are related to advocacy and social policy. The length of the essay should be 1-2 pages, typed, double-spaced, with 11 or 12 point font.

  • Examples include:advocating for policy change or new laws, participation in policy changes and/or advocacy projects, writing op-ed pieces, community involvement, community organizing, etc. Be specific about the knowledge or skills you hope to add or gain from your education at UW Tacoma to enhance and inform your approach to social policy and advocacy work.

  Application deadline: Sunday, January 25, 2026 (by midnight.)

   

   

The University of Washington and its partners announce the Workforce for Student Well-being Initiative, a conditional scholarship program. Individuals enrolled in UW Tacoma’s MSW programs who have a commitment to working in high-need K-12 public or tribal schools as a school social worker are encouraged to apply.

The primary goal of the Workforce for Student Well-being (WSW) Initiative is to help all K-12 students in Washington state to thrive. The WSW Initiative also advances the careers of skilled social work professionals through training, mentorship, and financial supports by preparing graduate students to work in high-need public and tribal schools supporting K-12 students. After graduation, graduate students commit to working in a high-need public or tribal school in Washington state for two (2) academic years. The Workforce for Student Well-being (WSW) Initiative is underwritten by the US Department of Education Office of Safe and Supportive Schools (OSSS). Please visit the WSW Initiative website to learn more about the requirements and how to apply.

Please contact Megan Toothaker at megant03@uw.edu with questions.

The Washington State Behavioral Health Workforce Development Initiative will expand the number of masters-level social workers and mental health counselors in Washington state who serve individuals and families experiencing severe mental health or substance use issues. Students receive two-year grants, up to $51,500, to offset their graduate education expenses in return for serving three years in approved community-based behavioral health agencies or tribal health centers in Washington state.

The initiative will significantly increase the number and diversity of exceptionally prepared graduates, but it will also provide career placement and mentoring support, while significantly decreasing student debt, and creating better alignment between graduate training and workplace demands. The UW School of Social Work will coordinate $24.8 million—the major part of a $38 million behavioral-health investment from the Ballmer Group—among 13 participating universities statewide with accredited clinical mental health, social work, and marriage and family therapy graduate programs.

The Washington State Behavioral Health Workforce Development Initiative supports master’s level mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists and social workers committed to serving individuals and families with mental health and substance use challenges.

Thirteen universities are participating across the state. A network of more than 100 community behavioral health agencies and tribal health centers in Washington serve as student training sites and potential employers in the communities where students want to live and work.

If you are interested in applying for the Ballmer Behavioral Health Workforce Development Initiative at UW Tacoma, contact Megan Toothaker at megant03@uw.edu with questions. or visit Washington Workforce Development .

Applications are currently closed.

The University of Washington at Tacoma, School of Social Work and Criminal Justice invites MSW students beginning their foundation or advanced practicum placement in June to apply for the Simon Family Endowment MSW Autism Fellowship.  The Simon Family Endowment recognizes and supports graduate social work students as future professional providers of lifelong care for adult individuals diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or an Intellectual Disability.

Graduate social work students selected for the Simon Family Endowment Autism Fellowship are awarded up to $2,850 – $3,300 per year (subject to the availability of funds).  The total funds awarded will be divided up for four quarters beginning summer, June through the following spring quarter.  

Deadline

The deadline for applying for the Simon Family Endowment MSW Fellowship will be updated soon.  To apply or for more information contact Dr. Ronnie San Nicolas, Simon Family Endowment MSW Autism Field Education Coordinator: sannirj@uw.edu

Criteria:

• Maintain a cumulative graduate UW Tacoma GPA of 3.0.
• Be placed in a social work field placement site dedicated to serving autistic individuals or living with intellectual disabilities.

Application Procedure:

To apply for this scholarship, applicants must provide the following to the School of Social Work and Criminal Justice. Please email materials to swcj@uw.edu.

• Completed Simon Family Endowment MSW Fellowship Application (All materials within application PDF)
• Release of authorization form and statement of participation form (student signature required)
• Personal Statement
• Two letters of recommendation
• Updated resume
• Deliver or mail materials to:

Ronald J. San Nicolas, PhD- School of Social Work and Criminal Justice

University of Washington Tacoma

Campus Box 358425

Attn: Scholarship Committee

1900 Commerce Street

Tacoma, WA 98402-3100