Institutional aid
SSW Need-Based Aid
(Please review our aid policies for important information.)
Need-Based Grants
Grants are funds given to students with no requirement of repayment or work time in exchange. Preference in need-based aid is given to Early Admission applicants.
SSW Merit Aid
(Please review our aid policies for important information.)
1. Dean's Merit Scholarship
The dean's merit scholarship offers $2,000 to $9,000 scholarships a year as a two-year commitment. Merit scholarships are independent of financial need or financial aid considerations. (Preference in merit funding is given to Early Admission applicants.)
Criteria:
Students selected will:
- Have excelled academically in previous coursework
- Possess intellectual curiosity and a passion for social work as evidenced in extracurricular activities, volunteer/community efforts and/or work experience
- Demonstrate an exceptional commitment to social work and social work values, including a commitment to diversity
(All applicants are considered for merit awards; no separate application process is required.)
2. Reaching for Excellence Scholarship
A limited number of $3,000 to $5,000 Reaching for Excellence (REX) Scholarships will be awarded to members of each entering class who are graduates of the on-campus REX program. (All REX graduates are considered for the REX scholarship; no separate application process is required.)
3. Scholarship for Military Personnel
The Scholarship for Military Personnel is awarded annually to a member of the military or to a veteran who is making a commitment to work with the mental health issues of military personnel and their families upon graduation. The scholarship guarantees full tuition for the 27-month program, as well as on campus room and board while the student is on campus during the summer months (approximately $50,000 in total).
The scholarship recipient will also be given preference in the assignment of the geographic location for their field placement (to be selected from the SSW listing of geographic options available).
It is important to note that for some military education benefits, we are required to report net tuition: tutition 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.
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 admissions application:
- 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.
- All application materials by the than the Non-Binding Early Admission deadline date of January 5th.
More Information
For more information about this award, contact the SSW Office of Admission at sswadm@smith.edu.
4. Yellow Ribbon Program
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.
2012-2013 Funding Level
Graduate School for Social Work:
1 Student up to $7,500
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.
