How to Apply
The Workforce for Student Well-being (WSW) Conditional Scholarship application for the 2024-2025 academic year will open in early 2024.
The Workforce for Student Well-being (WSW) Initiative 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. Students are placed in a high-need public or tribal school during their advanced practicum placement, are supported in developing competencies to become school-based social workers who provide mental health services through a year-long community of practice, and attend an annual retreat building a network of like-minded professionals.
Read below to learn more.
Application Timeline
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
|
Application deadline |
Varies by university; 4/30/24 for Fall 2024 |
|
Selection notification |
Varies by university; 5/15/24 for Fall 2024 |
|
Conditional grant acceptance deadline |
Varies by university; 8/31/24 for Fall 2024 |
|
Online orientation |
October 2024 |
Eligibility Criteria
- Demonstrated financial need as indicated by completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)Ⓡ or Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) for current academic year. If you are not eligible to apply for FAFSAⓇ/WASFA (e.g., international student), please inform your university’s Workforce for Student Well-being (WSW) administrator.
- Enrolled in the final year of an accredited master’s level social work program in Washington state.
- Ability to obtain employment post-graduation at a high-need K-12 public school or tribal school.
- Ability to maintain legal residency in Washington state for at least 2 academic years post-graduation for students receiving a conditional scholarship for one academic year.
Application Process
- Apply for student financial aid through FAFSAⓇ/ WASFA by your school’s deadline.
- Complete the online Workforce for Student Well-being (WSW) conditional scholarship application by the current deadline. The application takes approximately 60 minutes to complete and must be completed in one session. When the application period is open, 2-year employment application can be found at the top of this page.
- Reply to a selection notification email by September 30th, the acceptance deadline.
Selection
Each partnering institute of higher education selects which of its student applicants are awarded a Workforce for Student Well-being (WSW) conditional scholarship. Selection determinations are made holistically and include review of the following characteristics of the student: commitment to school mental health, experience with and commitment to working with diverse communities, financial need, and post-graduation employment goals. A letter of recommendation might be required by individual universities.
Applicants are notified of selection by email. After reviewing the conditional scholarship agreements, students are encouraged to meet with their university’s financial aid office and their program’s Workforce for Student Well-being (WSW) administrator to clearly understand the initiative’s financial impact and career commitment. If all of the terms are acceptable, the student will sign and return an agreement outlining the scholarship commitments and responsibilities. Accepting students attend a virtual orientation before beginning the program.
What to expect as a conditional scholarship student
For students enrolled in their final academic year, the conditional scholarship offers up to $30,000 based on unmet financial need.
Conditional scholarships funds are distributed each academic term (quarter) of the student’s final academic year.
Conditional scholarship students participate in a variety of professional development activities during their graduate education to prepare them as the next generation of school social workers. Students’ pre-service training includes a 30-hour community of practice experience with peers during the academic year. Activities will take place virtually and an annual conference will take place in-person. In addition to completing the requirements of their program, students are expected to maintain good academic standing and be enrolled at least part-time.
Following graduation, conditional scholarship students are expected to work in a high-need K-12 public school or tribal school within Washington state for two academic years.
