Skip to main content

MSW Scholarships

Each spring, our School awards scholarships made possible through gifts from alumni and other donors. These scholarships may be awarded based on need and/or merit, depending on the individual scholarship. They may be awarded to currently enrolled students who are returning in the fall or offered as incentives to competitive applicants who have been admitted to the School.

You must submit the School’s scholarship application to be considered for these opportunities. The application is sent by email to all eligible continuing and newly admitted students.

Scholarships

  • The Melvarene Johnson Adair Scholarship Fund was established in 2006 by Kenneth B. Howard to honor his mother, Melvarene Johnson Howard Adair (MSW ’76). The scholarship is for any MSW student who is in good academic standing and demonstrates financial need.
  • The Alumni Development Award recognizes students’ achievements in school and in the community.
  • The Armfield Scholarship Fund was established by friends of the School of Social Work to support students attending the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Social Work and shall be awarded on the basis of need and merit.
  • The Berg Scholars Award was established to support Community, Management, and Policy Practice students who are promising leaders and in good academic standing.
  • The Annie Kizer Bost Award is given annually to the graduating student who, in the opinion of the faculty, shows the greatest potential for service to the public welfare system of North Carolina. Founded during Mrs. Bost’s lifetime (through the efforts of then-Dean Arthur Fink and Mrs. P. O. Cain), the first award was given in October 1961. Mrs. Bost, a native of Rowan County and a 1903 graduate of what is now The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, served as State Commissioner of Public Welfare from 1930 to 1944.
  • The Amy Louise Brannock MSW Memorial Scholarship Fund was established in 2013 by the Brannock family to provide scholarships and financial assistance to students who are in good academic standing, have demonstrated financial need, and are interested in working in the areas of trauma and/or sexual violence.
  • The Kathleen Price Bryan Fund recognizes students’ achievements in school and in the community.
  • The Iris Carlton-LaNey Scholarship was established in 2017 by a School of Social Work alumnus to honor Berg-Beach Distinguished Professor Iris Carlton-LaNey. The fund provides financial support for MSW students who are pursuing careers as social work professionals in the areas of social justice and racial equity.
  • The Chaney-Jacobs-Preyer Scholarship Fund was established in 2005 by L. Richardson Preyer Jr. and Marilyn Jacobs Preyer in consideration of their abiding interest in our School and concern for helping students with financial need. Recipients will have demonstrated a sound academic record and financial need.
  • The Brett Chavis Memorial Scholarship was established by the generosity of the friends and family of Brett Chavis, who have specified their preference that this scholarship be awarded to social work students in good academic standing who have experience with and interest in working with people with severe and persistent mental illness, particularly bipolar disorder.
  • The Culbertson Fund for student support was established by Robert and Peggy Culbertson of Charlotte to support students in good academic standing from the Charlotte/Mecklenberg County area who demonstrate financial need. The fund gives priority to those who intend to return to that area for professional employment.
  • The Martha Sherill Dunn Financial Assistance Fund helps students with clear financial need and who have chosen the academic area of children and families. Preference is given to students who are from or plan to work in 1) Hertford County, 2) the Roanoke-Chowan area, or 3) rural North Carolina.
  • The Bertie Oscar Edwards, MD, Scholarship was established in memory of Dr. Edwards. It is for students in good academic standing. Preference is given to students from Western North Carolina who have an interest in domestic violence, child abuse, severe and persistent mental illness, or mental health services.
  • The Joanna Finkelstein Gorman Scholarship was established by Louise H. Finkelstein in memory of her daughter. It is for any student who is in financial need and in good academic standing.
  • The Heath-Webb Scholarship was established to support students with an interest in adult mental health.
  • The Kirsten E. Hewitt Memorial Scholarship was established in 2000 after the tragic death of Kirsten Hewitt (MSW ’97), who graduated from the School’s Advanced Standing MSW Program. The fund supports MSW students in financial need and in good academic standing, particularly those interested in working with the elderly population.
  • The Alan Keith-Lucas Scholarship was established by alumni of our School and friends of Dr. Keith-Lucas to honor and memorialize him and his work with children. Preference is given to students in the 3-Year MSW Program (either site).
  • The Jeffrey Langston Memorial Fund was established after the tragic death of a Charlotte student in 1990. Jeff Langston’s family, classmates, and friends raised the funds to establish a permanent endowment. The fund helps support students who are working with emotionally or conduct-disordered youth, especially those at high risk for out-of-home placement or involvement with the juvenile justice system. This is in recognition of Jeff’s work with youth.
  • The Maynard Scholars and Lecture Program was established in 2005 by James and Connie Maynard. Recipients will have an interest in Community, Management, and Policy Practice and will have demonstrated a sound academic record and financial need.
  • The McClernon Scholarship was established in 2012 in memory of Robert Earnest “Bob” McClernon, a minister and psychiatric social worker. The McClernon family established the scholarship to support a student who is in good academic standing with demonstrated financial need and who has an interest in pursuing work in mental health. Preference is given to students who have a practicum placement in areas related to mental health.
  • The Meehan Scholarship was established in 2005 by Peter and Prue Meehan of Chapel Hill to support MSW students, particularly students who are pursuing careers as social work professionals in the areas of social justice and racial equity.
  • The Betsy Rogers Millar Scholarship Fund was established in 1989 by Dr. Jack R. Millar to honor his wife’s dedication to helping others. Students who have demonstrated financial need, have a strong academic standing, and demonstrate a spirit of exceptional commitment and caring for those in need will be considered for this award.
  • The Hugh MacRae Morton, Jr. Memorial Scholarship was established in 2010 by the Morton Family to provide scholarships and financial assistance to students who are in good academic standing, have demonstrated financial need, and are interested in or have experience in direct practice with clients with mental illness.
  • The Jane Curtis Parker Scholarship, established by the family and friends of Jane Curtis Parker, a 1954 alumna, is awarded to a rising second-year student whose qualities embody Mrs. Parker’s approach in professional life: compassion, social justice, courage, and acting as an inspiration to others.
  • The Margaret Mebane Parker Scholarship Fund was established in 2012 to honor work with military families and to support those entering the field of social work to become mental health practitioners. As a clinical social worker at a VA hospital, Margaret Mebane Parker (MSW ’60) saw firsthand the mental and physical effects of war on young soldiers, including those who struggled with brain injuries or substance use disorders. The fund supports students who are in good academic standing, have demonstrated financial need, and are either from military-dependent families or have an interest in working with members of the military and their families.
  • The Joan Phillips-Trimmer Memorial Scholarship was established in 2009 by Carol Phillips Oettinger in memory of her beloved daughter, a 3-Year MSW Program student who died suddenly before completing the program in 2009.   Preference is given to students in the 3-Year MSW Program (either site).
  • The Ellen E. Power Award was established by Ellen E. Power, a UNC-Chapel Hill alumna with great interest in and love for our School. It is for any student who is in financial need, in good academic standing, and interested in clinical practice.
  • The Kenneth C. Royall, Jr. Scholarship was established in honor of Kenneth C. Royall, Jr., who was active in civic affairs and served on the boards of many community organizations. He was a member of the North Carolina General Assembly and served as the senior budget advisor for the State of North Carolina. Funds from this scholarship are awarded to MSW or doctoral students who are interested in mental health issues.
  • The Janice Hough Schopler Scholarship was established by the late Dr. John Schopler to memorialize his wife, a former associate dean of our School. These funds are used to assist students in financial need and good academic standing.
  • The Dean E. Smith Opening Doors Fund was established in 2015 by UNC-Chapel Hill for talented undergraduate students and for graduate students in education and in social work. The fund honors the 36-year coaching legacy of Dean E. Smith and commemorates his many acts of courage and integrity in defying segregation. Dean E. Smith Scholars exemplify the qualities of leadership, service, excellence, and a passion for social justice.
  • The Social Justice Scholarship Fund was established by the Edelman Foundation and friends of our School. David A. Edelman is an alumnus of our School. The Fund shall be used to support students interested in serving underrepresented populations and shall be awarded on the basis of need and merit.
  • The Florence Soltys Scholarship was established in 2007 in memory of Florence Soltys who was a distinguished faculty member at our School. Preference is given to students who have chosen to work in the field of serving the aging population.
  • The Springle Memorial Scholarship was created in memory of UNC-Chapel Hill alumnus Dr. Charles Keith Springle and in recognition of his dedicated service to his country and his commitment to providing mental health care to soldiers and veterans. He was killed while serving as a social worker in a military clinic in Baghdad in 2009. Family and friends of Dr. Springle have established this fund to support students in the MSW program who are working with military families or who have an interest in mental health care for veterans and their families.
  • The Linda M. Summer Practicum Placement Scholarship was established in 2006. Preference is given to students who have a practicum placement in areas related to mental health.
  • The Tannenbaum Student Support Fund was established by the Tannenbaum-Sternberger Foundation in 1990. Awards are made to students in good academic standing who are doing field placements in agencies in Guilford County.
  • The Kristin Marie Ten Harmsel Anderson Memorial Scholarship was made possible by family and friends of this graduate of our School’s MSW program to memorialize her and to recognize her devotion to helping persons in need, especially children. Preference is given to out-of-state students.
  • The Smith P. Theimann, Jr. Scholarship Fund was established in 2004. Mr. Theimann was a ’44 graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill’s MSW program, and he was a strong supporter of our School for many years. This fund supports students in financial need and in good academic standing.
  • The Walsh-Cioffi Scholarship Fund was established in 2005 by Frank E. Walsh, Jr., and Meghan (MSW ’98) and Rob Cioffi and the Sandy Hill Foundation. Recipients will have demonstrated a sound academic record and financial need.
  • The Ellen Black Winston Scholarship Award was established by the NC Conference for Social Services to honor Dr. Winston’s life. Preference is given to, but not limited to, students who demonstrate an interest in public policy; who work, or are interested in working, to support progressive social legislation; and who have a commitment to helping women, children, and older adults in need.