Tuition and Scholarships

Learn more about Seattle University’s Master of Social Work tuition and scholarships.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fee information can be found here.

Financial Aid and Federal Funding

Student Financial Services (SFS) is the central department that manages tuition bills, fees, scholarships and loans. For questions regarding scholarships, federal funding or financial aid, please contact student financial services directly.

Student Financial Services

For more information on International student financial planning and scholarships, visit the International Student Center.

International Student Center

Scholarships

Seattle University Graduate Scholarships

All admitted applicants are considered for Seattle University Scholarships for Graduate Programs based upon a holistic review of all information received in the application process and available funding. Awards are renewable for multi-year programs based upon satisfactory progress toward degree completion. Scholarship amounts are based upon full-time enrollment of minimally 6 quarter credits per term. Students taking less than 6 quarter credits will have their award amount pro-rated accordingly.

Seattle University Scholarships for Graduate Programs are called Equity Scholarships.

Scholarships and Funding Opportunities

Seattle University's MSW Program offers an endowed scholarship created by Lee Scheingold, MA, MSW and Bill Etnyre, MSW, PhD.

The EtnyreScheingold Clinical Social Work Endowed Scholarship supports students who are pursuing their MSW education and are dedicated to working with society's most vulnerable citizens.

To be eligible for scholarship, a student must meet the following criteria:

  • Be enrolled as a full-time student at Seattle University
  • Be enrolled in the MSW degree program
  • Demonstrate a commitment to community-based clinical social work practice
  • Demonstrate financial need

Endowed scholarship consideration may require additional documents and recipients may be notified after admission depending upon the selection criteria. Domestic and permanent resident applicants are strongly encouraged to complete a FAFSA to be eligible for any need-based endowed or external scholarships and/or graduate student loans.

The Workforce for Student Well-being Initiative (WSW) will expand the number of master’s level social workers providing mental health services in high-need public and tribal schools. Students attending one of the five accredited schools of social work across Washington state, who have a commitment to working in schools, are eligible to apply for conditional scholarships up to $30,000 to offset their graduate education expenses—in return for serving in a high-need public or tribal school in Washington state. 

In recognition of their invaluable service and commitment to positive impact in our communities, Seattle University offers the following benefits for AmeriCorps/PeaceCorps alums. All applicants to Seattle University Graduate Programs are eligible to apply for the AmeriCorps/PeaceCorps Alumni Scholarship.

Recipients of the scholarship receive a total award of $3,000 toward tuition, which is distributed over the first two years of the student's academic program. Eligible applicants must have successfully completed (or will have completed) an AmeriCorps term of service by the time of enrollment in their graduate program.

How to Apply

  • Complete the online AmeriCorps/PeaceCorps Alumni Scholarship Application.
  • Enclose Certification of Service letter to your AmeriCorps/PeaceCorps Alumni Scholarship Application.
  • If currently serving, include a letter from your supervisor, uploaded to the AmeriCorps/PeaceCorps Alumni Scholarship Application.

Notice of Scholarship Award

Applicants who have been offered admission to their program are welcome to apply for the AmeriCorps/PeaceCorps Alumni Scholarship. Priority consideration is given to scholarship applications submitted before or on April 30. For applications submitted after April 30, Seattle University will notify applicants of scholarship decisions made on a case-by-case basis, depending on funds remaining. The AmeriCorps/PeaceCorps Alumni Scholarship Awards Committee meets in May of each year.

Additional Information

Students are strongly encouraged to explore other financial opportunities by contacting Seattle University’s Office of Student Financial Services at (206) 220-8020 or by visiting their website.

Graduate Assistantships (GA) in teaching, research and marketing/recruitment may be available to qualified students. These opportunities are generally sent to incoming MSW students in late summer.

Past GA Positions include:

  • Project Research Assistant-Department of Social Work
  • Clinical Practice Lab Assistant-Department of Social Work
  • Recruitment & Marketing Graduate Assistant-Master of Social Work
  • BSW Research Capstone Graduate Assistant-Department of Social Work
  • Research Assistant (General)-Department of Social Work

Find out more about student employment.

Post-Graduation Support

This grant provides post-graduation support through a case management professional development model. In addition to their salary, participants will get an additional stipend and support for supervision and licensure prep with the end goal of obtaining your LICSW after 2 years post-graduation. More information coming soon.

Loan Repayment Programs

The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) provides loan repayment programs for eligible, licensed social workers. Sign up for notifications of the next application cycle.

The IHS Loan Repayment Program (LRP) can help dedicated health professionals like you chart a course for a long-lasting and successful health care career. The LRP funds IHS clinicians to repay their eligible health profession education loans — up to $40,000 — in exchange for an initial two-year service commitment to practice in health facilities serving American Indian and Alaska Native communities. Opportunities are based on Indian health program facilities with the greatest staffing needs in specific health profession disciplines. As an LRP participant, you are eligible to extend your contract annually until your qualified student debt is paid. Many health professionals enter this program because of the financial benefits but find the cultural and professional rewards to be so great that they spend their entire careers working in Indian health.

Read about eligibility requirements and other important information.

The PSLF Program forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer.

Read about eligibility requirements and other important information.

Scholarship Resources and External Scholarships

Funding Databases

The Lemieux Library has a comprehensive guide to institutional and local funding databases.

Interested in fellowships? Check out the Seattle University's Fellowships database.

External Scholarships

There are many organizations that offer scholarships and fellowships to MSW students. Here are some options:

Below is a list of individual external scholarships MSW applicants and students may qualify for. This is not a comprehensive list of available scholarships and is meant to be used as a starting point when researching scholarships. Please consult each scholarship's website for further details about eligibility, awards, deadlines, etc.

Get in Touch

If you have any questions about the program or application, we’re here to help!

Ashley Miller

Senior Admissions Counselor

Ashley Miller Headshot