Affording Your Degree in the School of Social Work
Saint Louis University offers significant resources for students of all levels and disciplines in the School of Social Work. We are pleased to support our students as they work to improve our communities as students and professionals.
The resources below offer a selection of funding opportunities for students in the SLU School of Social Work.
Information for Students of All SSW Programs
SLU's Office of Student Financial Services offers a wealth of scholarships and financial aid programs recognizing academic achievement, ambition and personal potential.
All applicants to the School of Social Work are automatically considered for School of Social Work scholarships. Applicants are notified of their scholarship amount at the time of their admission decision. Programs such as graduate assistantships and fellowships have separate requirements.
In addition to the loans, grants and other opportunities available to all SLU students, multiple resources are available to students studying social work, criminology and criminal justice and applied behavior analysis.
View Scholarship Opportunities by Organizations and Institutions Outside of SLU
Financial Information for SSW Graduate Students
The School of Social Work graduate programs are billed using a flat-rate tuition model. Rates are subject to change.
The SLU School of Social Work recognizes that cost can be a concern when choosing to continue your education, and has identified the following financial aid resources to assist you:
The School of Social Work is committed to advancing the field of social work, criminology and criminal justice, and applied behavior analysis for all graduate students seeking the opportunity to learn and lead at Saint Louis University. Through the generosity of our alumni and benefactors, all incoming students in the School of Social Work receive scholarship assistance* to help reduce tuition costs. Scholarships are not contingent upon employment or service obligations.
Certain graduate programs provide a stipend connected to required practicum or internship experiences. M.S.W. students receive a stipend during their first concentration practicum, M.S. A.B.A. students receive a stipend during their second practicum, and C.C.J. students are eligible for a stipend when completing an approved internship. Stipend terms are subject to change if a student changes programs or does not remain in good academic standing.
*Scholarship awards vary and are awarded upon admission. No separate application process is required.
In addition to scholarships, the School of Social Work offers competitive graduate fellowships that provide financial support and/or scholarships along with professional experience to graduate students. Unlike scholarships, all fellowships include a work or research requirement, which varies by fellowship type. Graduate Fellows contribute to the School’s teaching, research, and administrative activities while furthering their professional development.
All graduate fellowships are awarded on a term that aligns with the academic year. Some fellowships are awarded for one academic year, while others extend over two academic years. Renewal or continuation is contingent on performance, available funding, and continued good academic standing.
Doerr Fellowship for Equity and Inclusion
The Doerr Fellowship for Equity and Inclusion is a two-year, full-tuition fellowship funded by the School of Social Work for new students. Fellows serve as active members of the School’s Committee on Culture and Social Justice and are expected to participate in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives sponsored by the Doerr Center for Social Justice Education and Research throughout the year. Doerr Fellows are also expected to attend and participate in at least four recruitment events (virtual or in-person), assist with Doerr Center-related projects as needed and help plan Doerr Center events under the direction of the Center’s Directors.
This fellowship does not include a stipend or health insurance, nor does it cover any fees.
Eligibility: Students must be a newly admitted student in a graduate program within the School of Social Work.
Term Length: Two academic years
Start Term: Typically begins in the fall semester, but may begin in spring or summer depending on program entry.
Field Education Graduate Fellowship
The Field Education Graduate Fellowship offers students a meaningful role in supporting the Field Education Office’s mission and day-to-day operations. Fellows dedicate up to 16 hours per week and receive a $10,000 scholarship for the academic year.
Eligibility: Students must be a newly admitted or returning student in a graduate program within the School of Social Work.
Term Length: One academic year with possible renewal for an additional term.
Start Term: May begin in the fall, spring, or summer semester depending on program entry.
Wrongful Convictions Graduate Fellowship
The Wrongful Convictions Graduate Fellowship supports the Wrongful Convictions Case Review course, with Fellows working closely with Professor Kenya Brumfield-Young to assist in course facilitation and wrongful case review. Fellows work either 8 or 16 hours per week and receive a scholarship in the amount of $5,000 or $10,000, respectively, for the academic year.
Graduate Fellows support both the academic and investigative components of the program. Duties include:
- Assisting in the facilitation of CCJ 4910-02 during class sessions and providing structured support to undergraduate students completing case review tasks.
- Conducting preliminary and advanced case audits, including organization of investigative files, identification of missing materials, and preparation of case timelines.
- Processing records for active cases using established program protocols, including OCR, Bates stamping, file naming, and folder structuring.
- Preparing summaries of police reports, court records, and investigative documents for instructional use and internal case processing.
- Reviewing records requests for accuracy and completeness before they are mailed or submitted to agencies.
- Entering records requests into agency records request portals and tracking responses.
- Supporting communication with innocence partners, including receiving record batches, logging incoming documents, and preparing outgoing materials for attorney partners or collaborating agencies.
- Maintaining program databases, matter templates, and workflow guides in Clio, OneDrive, and SharePoint.
- Assisting with research tasks connected to wrongful conviction scholarship, including literature reviews, data collection, and preparation of instructional or training materials.
- Providing support during case team meetings by taking notes, organizing follow-up tasks, and ensuring timely completion of team assignments.
- Upholding confidentiality and professionalism in all case related work, maintaining compliance with program standards, and completing required training modules.
Eligibility: Students must have successfully completed CCJ4910-02 (Fall) and CCJ 4910-02 (Spring) prior to the term of their fellowship start and must be newly accepted or returning students in a graduate program within the School of Social Work.
Term Length: One academic year
Start Term: Must begin in the fall semester.
School of Social Work Graduate Fellowship
The SSW Graduate Fellowship offers students meaningful opportunities to support the School’s mission through administrative, academic, and program-related activities. Depending on school needs and student interests, Fellows may participate in research support, course support, program coordination, or community engagement initiatives. Fellows contribute 8 or 16 hours per week and receive a scholarship of $5,000 or $10,000, respectively.
Eligibility: Students must be a newly admitted or returning student in a graduate program within the School of Social Work.
Term Length: One academic year with possible renewal for an additional term.
Start Term: May begin in the fall, spring, or summer semester depending on program entry.
Selection and Administration
Fellowships are awarded through a competitive application and review process coordinated by the SSW Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Selection decisions are based on academic standing, relevant experience, and alignment between student interests and School needs.
Graduate Assistants (GA) are employed to work 20 hours a week and receive tuition remission for 10 months per academic year as well as a monthly stipend and the option for health insurance coverage. GAs provide assistance with research/scholarship, teaching, community engagement, and other professional, SSW, or programmatic activities and are required to attend the University’s Graduate Assistant’s orientation the week before Fall classes.
Eligibility Requirement: A newly accepted or returning student enrolled in a graduate program within the School of Social Work.
Term Length: Master’s level students are limited to one academic year (10 months). Doctoral student GA terms may be renewed.
Start Term: May begin in the fall, spring, or summer semester depending on program entry.
For more information about graduate assistantships, fellowships, scholarships and financial aid, please visit SLU’s Graduate Scholarships, Fellowships, Assistantships and Awards website.
Students can apply to participate in faculty-mentored professionalization experiences, allowing them the opportunity to seek tuition remission.