Scholarship Opportunities

Give to the Laura Orr Memorial Social Work Endowed Scholarship

Give to the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions Scholarship

BSW Child Welfare Education Program

The BSW Child Welfare Education Program (CWEP) is a collaborative effort between the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program in the School of Social Work at Arizona State University (ASU) and the Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS).  Students who are accepted into the program receive their in-state tuition and mandatory fees paid through the Title IV-E, Child Welfare Field Education and Student Support Project.  Learn more.

MSW Child Welfare Education Program

The MSW Child Welfare Education Program (CWEP) is a collaborative effort between the Master of Social Work (MSW) program in the School of Social Work at Arizona State University (ASU) and the Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS).  Students who are accepted into the program receive their in-state tuition, mandatory fees, and a stipend paid through the Title IV-E, Child Welfare Field Education and Student Support Project.  Learn more.

Ann Weaver Nichols Scholarship Endowment 

The Ann Weaver Nichols Scholarship Endowment was established to support Tucson based students with financial need, especially those who are raising children as single parents or grandparents and who have a commitment to promoting social change to benefit vulnerable populations.  The Ann Weaver Nichols Scholarship Endowment is  awarded annually  Click here to apply 

• Full-time undergraduate senior standing or graduate student enrolled in ASU’s Tucson campus BSW or MSW program.
• Have a demonstrated financial need.
• Have a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 or above. 

Desired Qualifications:

• Raising children as single parents or grandparents.
• Have a commitment to promoting social change to benefit vulnerable populations.

Bhatti Scholarship 

The Bhatti Scholarship established to recognize the dedication and leadership of Ajit Bhatti and his career, as well as his commitment on behalf of Arizona Public Service Company to the greater Phoenix area and it communities. It was Mr. Bhatti’s wish that a gift would benefit Phoenix’s inner-city youth.   The Bhatti Scholarship is awarded annually.  Click here to apply

• Full-time and part-time social work students enrolled in ASU’s BSW or MSW program.
• Have a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 or above.
• Demonstrated commitment to serving inner-city youth.

Desired Qualifications:

• Applicant is an inner-city youth.

Dennis Knapp Fellowship

The Dennis Knapp Fellowship established by Motorola, Inc. in memory of former Employee Assistance Program Director, Dennis Knapp.  The Dennis Knapp Fellowship is awarded annually.  Click here to apply

• Full and part-time social work students enrolled in ASU’s  MSW program.
• Have a demonstrated financial need.
• Have a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 or above.
• Must have an interest in one of the following career fields: case management, grief treatment and/or referral work, in such settings as employee assistance programs, agencies providing mental health and/or substance abuse services or crisis-focused programs.

Don and Sylvia Schmid American Indian Child Welfare Leaders Fellowship

Don and Sylvia Schmid recognize the importance of having highly trained American Indian Social Workers who can serve as leaders working with tribal families and communities. The Schmid American Indian Child Welfare Leaders Fellowship was established by Don and Sylvia Schmid to address the current and future need for American Indian Social Workers trained at a master's level to administer and deliver child welfare services to American Indian communities, both on the reservation and in the urban area. Click here to apply.

• Full and part-time social work students enrolled in ASU's MSW program.
• Downtown Phoenix and Tucson campus MSW  American Indian students are eligible to apply.
• Have a stated plan to work in a child welfare setting with a potential of acquiring a leadership position serving American Indians on or off the reservation upon graduation. 
• Minimum GPA of 3.0.
• Applicant residency classification must be Arizona for the purposes of tuition.

Edith Kolodny Block Endowment Scholarship

The Edith Kolodny Block Endowment in memory of Edith Kolodny Block.  Ms. Kolodny Block was a graduate of the School of Social Work with her Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW).  She had a great sense of humor and a zest for life.  She was strongly committed to family counseling.  The Edith Kolodny Block Endowment is  awarded annually. Click here to apply

• Full and part-time social work students enrolled in ASU’s on campus or online BSW or MSW program.
• Have a demonstrated financial need.
• Have a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 or above. 

Florence Eckstein Social Work Fellowship 

The Florence Eckstein Social Work Fellowship for MSW students. This scholarship is provided through the generous support of Paul and Florence Eckstein.
Florence Eckstein is a proud native of Phoenix. She earned her degrees at Phoenix College, the University of Arizona, and her Master of Social Work at Arizona State University.
Flo has devoted her life to her family and community, as a professional social worker and community newspaper publisher; and as a volunteer Trustee of ASU, with the ASU Watts College of Public Service and Community of Solutions, on the Alumni Board, on the City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Board, and with many community nonprofits.
The Florence Eckstein Social Work Fellowship is awarded annually. Click here to apply

• Applicant must be pursuing a Masters of Social Work degree in Advanced Direct Practice at the Downtown Phoenix and Tucson campuses.
• Applicant must have a concentration in children, youth, and families.
• Must display a consistent academic excellence with a GPA of 3.5 or higher.
• Applicant residency classification must be Arizona for the purposes of tuition.

Gabe Zimmerman Memorial Scholarship

On March 3, 2011 Neal Cash, President and CEO of Community Partnership of Southern Arizona, generously donated a large sum to form a new Scholarship Fund in memory of Gabe Zimmerman. This money established a scholarship in Gabe’s memory for students in the social work program here in Tucson.

This gift is one of many ways in which CPSA has supported and advocated for the Tucson Component of the School of Social Work and our students over the years.

Generous contributions were also received from the United Food and Commercial Workers Union and Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Mining Company.  ASU has pledged to contribute additional support to the fund to make scholarship resources available in perpetuity for social work students.

Gabe Zimmerman graduated from the ASU School of Social Work Tucson Component master’s-level program in 2006, then as a field instructor he helped nurture young adults who were interested in serving the Tucson community.  He continued mentoring others as his own path led him to the Office of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and an even larger arena in which to share his gifts and empathy.  In recognition of his service to others, on Tuesday, April 16, 2013, a room at the Capitol was dedicated to his memory.   Click here to read a story in the Washington Post describing the dedication of the room in the Capitol to Gabe Zimmerman.

FAQs

Who is eligible to receive the scholarship? This scholarship is open  to enrolled Tucson School of Social Work students.

How can I apply for this scholarship?  
Applications for the 2025-2026 Gabe Zimmerman Memorial Scholarship will open on Dec. 1, 2024. Up to five scholarships in the amount of $4,000 each will be awarded. Applications and all supporting documents must be submitted by April 1, 2025 at 5 p.m.

Apply to Gabe Zimmerman Scholarship

Karen Williams Endowed Scholarship

The Karen Williams Endowed Scholarship in memory of Karen Williams, Chair of the Glendale Community College Human Services Department for seventeen years and founding member of the ASU West Social Work Advisory Board.  The Karen Williams Endowed Scholarship is  awarded annually. Click here to apply

• Full time social work students enrolled in ASU’s BSW or MSW program.
• Have a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 or above.

Desired Qualifications:

• Attending the Social Work program at ASU’s West Experience.

Kettner Moroney Scholarship 

 Established in honor of Dr. Peter Kettner and Dr. Robert Moroney and their collective contributions to the Arizona State University's School of Social Work and the community-at-large. The scholarship is awarded on an annual basis.

Requirements:

1) Full time PAC (Policy, Administration and Community) student or School of Social Work PhD student.

2) Minimum 3.5 GPA

3) Demonstrate a commitment to social justice

TO APPLY:

Applicants must submit an essay click here articulating their commitment to social and economic justice. Why should you be awarded the scholarship?  The essay should include volunteer and paid experience that is relevant.  The essay should be double-spaced and no longer that 1000 words.

Laura Orr Memorial SSW Graduate Endowed Scholarship

Laura Orr began her career with the ASU School of Social Work on May 10, 1971 and retired in 2018, bringing an end to 47 years of dedicated service. Laura was the ASU School of Social Work Student and Academic Services Manager. School of Social Work students, faculty, administrators, and service professionals from across ASU benefitted from Laura's knowledge and generosity of spirit. She was an avid ASU Sun Devils Football fan and loved attending events at Gammage Auditorium, especially musical performances. This scholarship memorializes Laura's service to the ASU School of Social Work, as well as her commitment to helping students. Click here to apply

• Criteria
• Minimum GPA of 3.0
• Demonstrated financial need 
• Enrolled as a full-time graduate student in an ASU MSW degree program

Laura Orr Memorial SSW Undergraduate Endowed Scholarship

Laura Orr began her career with the ASU School of Social Work on May 10, 1971 and retired in 2018, bringing an end to 47 years of dedicated service. Laura was the ASU School of Social Work Student and Academic Services Manager. School of Social Work students, faculty, administrators, and service professionals from across ASU benefitted from Laura's knowledge and generosity of spirit. She was an avid ASU Sun Devils Football fan and loved attending events at Gammage Auditorium, especially musical performances. This scholarship memorializes Laura's service to the ASU School of Social Work, as well as her commitment to helping students. Click here to apply

• Criteria
• Minimum GPA of 3.0
• Demonstrated financial need 
• Enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student in an ASU BSW degree program

Lupu-Willock Endowed Scholarship

This scholarship is provided through the generous support of the Pima Council on Aging by long-time Tucson resident, Katheryne B. Willock. Ms. Willock's family was the beneficiary of PCOA's services. In recognizing Ms. Willock's appreciation for its important work, PCOA elected to create this scholarship in her name to help social work students interested in working with the aging population achieve their master's degrees and encourage the continued advancement of aging-related professions.

Marian Lupu's life and work is also recognized through the creation of this endowment. Ms. Lupu was the founding executive director of Pima Council on Aging and served in this capacity for 40 years until retiring at the age of 82. A public policy researcher, Ms. Lupu moved to Tucson with her husband and three children from Pittsburgh where she became the director of the Tucson Council on Aging in 1967 and worked for nine months without pay. Over the years, Ms. Lupu led the creation of a nationally recognized case management model for Area Agencies on Aging and was a national leader in aging advocacy and services.  Click here to apply

• Full-time or Part-time students enrolled in ASU’s Tucson campus MSW program.
• Have a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 or above. 

Desired Qualifications:

• Completing an internship at aging-related agencies.
• Pursuing a Foundational Graduate Certificate in Gerontology.

Nauwich Scholarship

This fund was established in 1999 by Kenneth and Marilyn Buresh. Income will provide financial support to a student in the School of Social work who plans to practice in Arizona in American Indian child welfare. Click here to apply.

• Minimum GPA of 3.0 is required
• Demonstrated financial need is considered
• Full and part-time MSW and Senior standing BSW students may apply
• Demonstrated interest in Indian child welfare in Arizona

Pete C. Garcia Memorial Scholarship

While President of the Victoria Foundation, Pete C. Garcia recognized the importance of education and set forth a number of initiatives supporting scholarship programs. He also believed in building communities through neighborhood action and involvement, be it through educational programs, donor support to Latino arts, or foreign exchange projects in areas of interest. Click here to apply

Redman Family Scholarship 

The Redman Family Scholarship for BSW Students. This scholarship is provided through the generous support of Linda and Charles Redman.  The scholarship is intended to support BSW students who transferred from a community college to complete their degrees at ASU.  The Redman Family Scholarship is a $1,000.00 scholarships awarded annually in the fall semester. Click here to apply

• Be a BSW student enrolled at the ASU School of Social Work who transferred from a community college. 
• Have a minimum grade point average of 2.5.
• Have demonstrated financial need as defined by the ASU Office of Student Financial Assistance.

Desired Qualifications:

• The donors also desire to provide assistance to students who are the first in their families to attend college.

Rita Riley Gross Endowment Scholarship

The Rita Riley Gross Endowment in memory of Rita Riley Gross, a person intensely concerned about the welfare of underprivileged children. The Rita Riley Gross Endowment Scholarship is awarded annually. Click here to apply

• Full and part-time social work students enrolled in ASU’s  BSW or MSW program.
• Have a demonstrated financial need.
• Have a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 or above.
• Must have as a career goal an interest in working with children.

Susan Y Charlton Endowed SSW Scholarship

Susie Charlton lived life by two mottos: Every Day is a Gift and if you 're going to do something, do it right. As a result, she put everything  she had into everything she did. So when she decided to go back to school to get her Master's in Social Work at 60, she gave it her all! At the ASU School of Social Work, she loved the work, the professors, and her fellow classmates.
Susie used her degree to help others. She got involved in UMOM, which provides services, and affordable housing for people experiencing homelessness. She worked in shelters, closely with the homeless families to help them create their strategy to confront and overcome the challenges that led to homelessness. She loved this work and couldn't have been as effective without her education at the ASU School of Social Work. Click here to apply

• Full and part-time social work students enrolled in ASU’s MSW program.
• Have a demonstrated financial need.
• Have a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 or above.

School of Social Work scholarship applications for AY 2025-26 open on December 1, 2024 and close on April 1, 2025. 

Contact Information

School of Social Work
(602) 496-0800
https://socialwork.asu.edu
SSWScholarship@asu.edu