Social Work Scholarships for North Carolina Students
Aspiring social work students in North Carolina have access to a wide array of scholarships that support their academic and professional journeys at every level—from undergraduate to doctoral study. Whether you’re entering a community college, pursuing a master’s in social work (MSW), or advancing toward a Ph.D., these scholarships recognize academic merit, financial need, leadership, and commitment to underserved communities. From state-funded programs like the Next NC Scholarship to nationally competitive awards and school-specific opportunities, this guide brings together the most impactful financial resources available to help future social workers thrive in their education and beyond.
North Carolina Undergraduate Scholarships
Next NC Scholarship
A guaranteed Pell+state aid for NC residents with AGI ≤ $80K & SAI ≤ 7,500. Covers at least $5,000 (universities) or $3,000 (community colleges) annually, no extra application.
Morehead‑Cain Scholarship (UNC Chapel Hill)
Merit-based full‑ride for high‑character leaders to UNC–Chapel Hill. Includes tuition, room/board, summer programs, research, internships, global travel.
Carolina Covenant
Need-based UNC‑Chapel Hill program offering debt‑free graduation through grants, scholarships, and work‑study. Includes mentorship, career support, and well-being resources.
NC Reach
State-funded scholarship for current/former foster-care youth. Covers tuition, fees, books, room/board for up to four years at NC public institutions, with case-management support.
Park Scholarships
Merit-based, four-year full scholarship at NC State (valued ~$124K in-state). Supports scholarship, leadership, service, character with enrichment grants and study‑abroad opportunities.
Robertson Scholars Leadership Program
Dual-university full-ride at Duke & UNC‑Chapel Hill: tuition, room/board, fees for eight semesters, plus summer experiences, conferences, study-abroad, and bi-campus community.
Graduate
UNC School of Social Work – MSW Scholarships
Annual merit‑ & need‑based awards (e.g., Melvarene Johnson Adair, Armfield, Berg Scholars). Open to all MSW students; application provided each spring.
NC State School of Social Work – Garrett Scholarship
Supports MSW students in clinical or medical renal/patient work. Based on merit and dedication to kidney-health clinical settings.
NC State – Project Adding Direct Supports Grant
$5,000 award for school social work students completing practicum or employed in specified NC counties (rural/school settings).
CSWE Minority Fellowship Program (MFP)
Supports final-year MSW students focused on mental health or substance use in racial/ethnic minority communities. Fellowship through Council on Social Work Education.
FLAS Fellowships (UNC CGI)
While not social work–specific, FLAS supports graduate-level language/cultural area studies—valuable for culturally responsive social work practice. Covers tuition, stipend, study abroad.
UNC Chapel Hill – MSW Scholarships
Merit- & need-based awards (e.g., Adair, Armfield, Berg). Many funds target clinical practice, trauma, diversity, mental-health policy. Spring scholarship applications for current and admitted MSW students.
NC State – Nancy & Leland Garrett Scholarship
Supports MSW students working in clinical or medical settings, especially renal/kidney health. Merit-based; awarded via department’s PackASSIST application.
NC State – Project Adding Direct Supports Grant
Provides $5,000 to MSW students completing practicum or working in rural NC/school settings (e.g., Alamance, Catawba, Pitt counties).
NC State – HRSA BHWET Scholars Program
Final-year MSW students in behavioral-health placements can receive a $10,000 stipend, commit to serving medically underserved populations.
NASW‑NC President’s Award
$1,000 annual award for NC MSW students enrolled in CSWE-accredited programs, recognizing excellence and commitment to NASW.
NASW‑NC Kelly Spangler Student Award
For MSW students pursuing public health or integrated healthcare social work in North Carolina. Annual award to support early-career clinical MSW students.
NASW‑NC Toby Brown Award
Up to $1,500 awarded to graduating BSW or MSW students in NC CSWE-accredited programs, supporting field education and student excellence.
UNC Wilmington – Social Work Scholarships
Includes Bucciere‑Reel, McMahon, Preyer, Venters awards. Merit-/need‑based for graduate social work students, targeting substance-use, mental health, and community leadership.
National Social Work Scholarships
Harry S. Truman Scholarship
Federal scholarship for U.S. college juniors committed to public service, including social work graduate studies. Provides $30,000 toward up to three years of graduate education.
Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans
For immigrants or children of immigrants, pursuing any graduate field including social work. Awards up to $90,000 over two years toward tuition and living expenses.
NASW Foundation Consuelo W. Gosnell Memorial Scholarship
$2,500–$5,000 for MSW students committed to serving American Indian, Alaska Native, or Hispanic/Latino communities. Merit-based, awarded via NASW Foundation.
NASW Foundation Verne LaMarr Lyons Memorial Scholarship
Merit award ($4,000) for MSW students focused on mental/health in African-American communities. Recipients also engage in leadership development through NASW Foundation.
NASW Foundation Lawanna Renee Barron Scholarship
Named for civil rights advocate, supports MSW candidates engaged in racial equity and social justice. Amounts vary; awarded annually by NASW Foundation.
CSWE Carl A. Scott Memorial Fund
Two $500 awards to graduate social work students demonstrating commitment to equity, inclusion, and social justice—administered by the Council on Social Work Education.
NABSW Dr. Joyce Beckett Graduate Tuition Scholarship
$2,000–$4,000 scholarship for African American MSW students, promoting advanced study and excellence in social work practice. Funded by the National Association of Black Social Workers.
NABSW Selena Danette Brown Book Scholarship
Provides up to $1,500 to African American MSW students to offset textbook costs. Applicants must be NABSW members enrolled full-time.
NABSW Cenie “Jomo” Williams Scholarship
$2,500 merit scholarship for full-time MSW students demonstrating culturally competent leadership and commitment to African American communities. Funded by NABSW.
Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) Graduate Awards
Graduate awards ($500–$5,000) for Hispanic/Latino students in accredited U.S. grad programs, including social work. Requires GPA ≥ 2.5 and FAFSA submission.
Doctoral
UNC Chapel Hill – Doctoral Financial Support
UNC-CH provides full tuition, health insurance, stipends, teaching/research assistantships, and travel support—automatically considered for all Ph.D. students across cohorts.
NCA&T–UNCG Joint Ph.D. Funding Opportunities
Funding includes guaranteed first-year support, faculty-nominated grants, external fellowships, and guidance for NIH, Fahs‑Beck, substance abuse, health disparity fellowships.
UNC Charlotte – Wayland H. Cato Jr. First‑Year Doctoral Fellowship
A $25,000 stipend plus tuition & health insurance for newly admitted doctoral students at UNC Charlotte, nominated by their program director.
UNC Charlotte – William F. Kennedy Graduate Fellowship
A $25,000 stipend plus tuition & health insurance awarded to a first-year doctoral student via faculty nomination at UNC Charlotte.
UNC Charlotte – Lucille P. & Edward C. Giles Dissertation‑Year Fellowship
Offers $25,000, tuition/fees, health insurance, and $1,000 travel for STEM doctoral candidates—doctoral students in social work may qualify if research is health-related.
UNC Charlotte – Craig R. Brown Graduate Fellowship
First-year master’s or doctoral students researching societal issues receive $2,000 plus tuition support at UNC Charlotte.
Appalachian State – SECU Public Fellows Scholarship
Up to $5,000 for grad students completing unpaid social work internships (≥6 credits). Supports public service field placements.
HRSA BHWET Scholars Grant
Provides stipends and training support (e.g., behavioral health) to final-year MSW/doctoral students serving underserved populations in NC—funding dependent on annual award.
NAACP Jackson Graduate Fellowship
$2,000 stipend supporting full-time graduate students (including doctoral) affiliated with NAACP, pursuing social justice and equitable community outcomes.
Carl A. Scott Memorial Fund (CSWE)
CSWE-administered fund awards $500 to graduate (master’s/doctoral) social work students demonstrating strong commitment to equity and inclusion.