The Scholarship/Awards Committee is responsible for announcing, selecting, and disbursing the following scholarships in the School of Social Work. (Links to application forms will be provided when the application period opens.)

Each award is announced on student list-serves, and in class as appropriate. Application materials are made available in each center as applicable. Recipients are recognized in the alumni newsletter Inservice, and when applicable, at the graduation ceremony in May.

H. Wayne & Donna J. Johnson Award
One annual award of up to $500 made to a junior or senior undergraduate student who has been admitted to the major. Scholarship announcement is made on February 1. Application deadline is March 4th and decision is made by April 15. The recipient is notified via letter by May 1.

Jean H. Winter and Robin Odem Award
One $4,000 annual award made to a junior undergraduate social work student who is a resident of Iowa. Scholarship announcement is made April 1. Application materials deadline is April 12, 2019. Decision is made by May 1st, and recipient is notified via letter by May 15. The award is received the following September.

John Craft Excellence in Research Award
This award is made to honor the memory of John Craft, former Professor of Research at the School of Social Work. Excellence in student research in the area of child welfare is recognized with a monetary gift to one undergraduate and one graduate student. Announcement is made February 1st and applications are accepted until March 31. Decision is made by mid-April. The award is received in May.

The Former Faculty Scholarship
The Former Faculty Scholarship is given annually to one undergraduate (BA Social Work) student and one graduate (MSW) student. Application deadline is April 12, 2019.  Each $500 Scholarship is awarded from funds that have been donated to the School in memory of deceased faculty along with donations from faculty, current and former students and friends of retiring faculty to honor their contributions to the School during their tenure.  A committee of former faculty members determined that this scholarship should not be solely based on academic excellence but include students who have a diverse array of experiences, cultures, interesting extracurricular experiences and who are futuristic oriented people.

Miscellaneous Scholarship Opportunities

University of Iowa Support

The Graduate College awards fellowships for incoming students, dissertation-year fellowships, summer fellowships, and travel awards.

• View a complete list of awards at http://www.grad.uiowa.edu/financing-your-education
• International travel awards are available from the Office for Study Abroad
• Students who are differently-abled are eligible for awards through the Student Disabilities Services Office
• Graduate College Financial Aid Information
• Step-by-Step Guide to Financing Your Education
• Office of Student Financial Aid
• Diversity-Oriented Grants and Scholarships
• Office of Graduate Ethnic Inclusion
• Graduate Tuition Scholarships
• SROP/McNair Scholars Program
• Latino Social Workers Association

External Pre- and Post-Doctoral Support

For information about funding for social work doctoral education, including dissertation support, from outside the University of Iowa, visit

• The Institute for the Advancement of Social Work Research (IASWR) (click “technical resources” and download the list)
• The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
• The Group for the Advancement of Doctoral Education (GADE)
• The Society for Social Work Research (SSWR)
• The Fahs-Beck Fund for Research and Experimentation, a donor-advisory fund established with The New York Community Trust, announces two grant programs that are difficult locate at the SSWR’s site. Grants of up to $3,000 are available to help support doctoral dissertation expenses of students in the United States or Canada. Proposals must have clear relevance to major social problems affecting families or individuals or to interventions designed to assist individuals, couples, or families in their functioning and well-being. Deadlines: Twice annually - May 1 and November 1. To obtain an application, visit http://sswr.org/FahsBeckDoctoralDissertation.pdf

​See also: University of Iowa yearly costs of tuition and fees