BSW Scholarships
Through the generosity of donors to the School of Social Work who believe in the potential each student has to make a difference in our communities, we are pleased to offer the following scholarships in support of students pursuing the Bachelors of Social Work (BSW) degree.
Table of BSW Scholarships
Below you will find brief descriptions of each scholarship. Scholarship amounts are also listed, but please note that these are estimates and are subject to change.
Students may apply by using the online application. Only one application is needed for consideration for all scholarships. Applications will be screened to determine eligibility for each award. The 2024-2025 application details will be available by August 1, 2024. Please ensure that your application includes all necessary components, as incomplete applications will not be considered.
Upon initial screening completion, if an applicant is deemed eligible for a scholarship that requires additional materials (e.g., a letter of support, writing sample, etc.), the applicant will be contacted with information regarding additional materials needed for award consideration. Letters of support can be uploaded via this online form.
| Scholarship | Description | Award Criteria | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr. Jan Carter-Black Scholarship for Commitment to Diversity and Leadership | After a 21-year career at a private residential child welfare agency that included direct practice and administrative positions, Dr. Jan Carter-Black (PhD, ’05, MSW, ’95, BALAS, ’77) joined the School of Social Work faculty in 2005. Dr. Carter-Black teaches the Diversity: Identity & Issues course, which is required of all undergraduate students in social work, and an option for all other undergraduate students on campus to fulfill a general education course requirement. Put simply, Jan directly and profoundly impacts hundreds of students each semester. This scholarship was created in her honor by former students who credit Dr. Carter-Black for their successes. This scholarship is awarded to a deserving social work student who demonstrates high academic achievement, a commitment to the School and the campus community through involvement and leadership, and a commitment to diversity through research or practice. | Awarded to a deserving SW student who demonstrates high academic achievement, a commitment to the School and the campus community through invovlement and leadership, and a commitment to diversity through research or practice. Letter of support required. | $650 |
| Jim and Joanna Dudley Scholarship | Dr. James “Jim” Dudley (MSW, ’66, BS, ’64) came to the University of Illinois for his undergraduate degree and like many first year students he had very little idea of what kind of career he wanted to prepare for. He was drawn to something that would “help people” and decided on a degree in teaching mathematics. He was soon introduced to the profession of social work and the endless possiblities for not only helping people, but also helping them overcome oppression from poverty, racial discrimination, or an inadequate education. Dr. Dudley enrolled in the MSW where he worked on a projecct to support women with no access to prenatal care. He completed his PhD in social work in 1979 and has served on the faculties at Temple University and the Unviersity of North Carolina Charlotte, where he still holds the appointment of professosr emeritus. Dr. Dudley created this scholarship to support students interested in addressing and overcoming problems at the macro level, such as poverty, discrimination, poor health, and/or hopelessness. | Awarded to a deserving BSW or MSW student, with preference given to those interested in social work at the macro practice level to address and overcome such problems as poverty, discrimination, poor health, and hopelessness in the lives of others. | $2,000 |
| John K. Gibson and Nancy L. White-Gibson Scholarship | Nancy White-Gibson (MSW, ’92) joined the Field Education team at the School of Social Work in 2012. She previously worked with physical rehabilitation at a hospital in Rockford, IL, where she also served as the social worker for the traumatic brain injury team. For 11 years, Nancy provided counseling services and managed a team of therapists in the Minneapolis area. She also published a collection of short stories for young readers that focused on topics of diversity, illness, foster care, and safety. She has been providing counseling services in Central IL since 2006. This scholarship was created to honor her late husband and supports students in the MSW and BSW programs. | Awarded to a deserving BSW or MSW student who has demonstrated commitment to any of the following areas: social justice, restorative justice, civil rights, and/or experience working with marginalized persons. A letter of support is required from a person familiar with your interests and experience as they relate to the above. Examples include (but are not limited to) a member of the faculty or staff at the School of Social Work, or a social work professional from the community. | $1,000 |
| Yvonne Gilmore Scholarship in Social Work | Deryk (MBA, ’96, MS, ’96) and Camille (MBA, ’96) Gilmore created this scholarship to honor Deryk’s mother, Yvonne Gilmore, who was a nurse. The scholarship was created to support students who demonstrate involvement in their community and promote diversity within the School of Social Work. | Awarded to a deserving undergraduate student with preference given to those possessing a minimum 2.5 grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale and a demonstrable record of involvement in the community. Strong preference for candidates that promote diversity within the School. | $5,000 |
| Susan & Michael Haney Social Work Scholarship | Susan and Michael Haney are long-time supporters of the School of Social Work and several other units at the U of I. Michael (PhD, ’85, MS, ’81) joined the faculty at the College of Engineering immediately following the completion of his PhD and remained there until his retirement in 2014. Susan (BS, ’82) transferred to U of I as an undergraduate in 1979 and has been an active volunteer in the local community ever since. Despite their educations in Grainger and Gies colleges, respectively, the Haneys have directed their philanthropic support to the performing arts and the School of Social Work due to their passion for social justice. They are keenly aware of how the arts enrich all our lives and the importance of social workers, and the research, education, and community engagement provided by our school. They established this scholarship to support BSW students during their junior year who display strong academic achievement, volunteer service, leadership, and/or a passion for social justice. | Awarded to current sophomore or junior BSW students who are passionate about continuing their studies in the field of social work. Recipient will be selected based upon academic achievement, financial need, volunteer service, leadership experience, work history, and a demonstrated passion for social justice. Funding is awarded the following academic year when the recipient will be entering their junior or senior year of study. | $4,000 |
| Wynne S. Korr Scholarship | Dr. Wynne Korr was Dean and Professor at the School of Social Work from 2002-2017. Dr. Korr led the school through one of its history's most significant periods of change. Her tenure saw the development of the Leadership and Social Change track for MSW students, the re-establishment of the BSW program, the launch of the Community Learning Lab, a research enhancement initiative involving both the Children and Family Research Center and other faculty projects, and overseeing a 30-year-old promise of new facilities come to fruition. Dr. Korr created this scholarship to support students transferring to U of I to complete their BSW degrees. | Awarded to a BSW or iBSW student with preference given to incoming freshman or transfer students who generally have the most significant unmet financial need. | $5,450 |
| Becca Nimmer Marcus Scholarship | Becca Nimmer Marcus (MSW, ’83) has established herself as an outstanding graduate of the School of Social Work. She has been involved in many crucial mental health activities. She is currently on staff at the College of William and Mary as the Director of Mindfulness Training at the Center for Mindfulness and Authentic Excellence. She previously served at the same institution’s Counseling Center for 20 years. In 2021, she co-authored a paper that examined the efficacy of university-offered mindfulness training on perceived stress. This scholarship was established by Paul Marcus, Becca’s husband, to honor her lifelong career in helping college students succeed and find balance in their lives. | Awarded to a deserving BSW or MSW student with a strong interest in the field of mental health. Academic merit and financial need will also be considered in the selection process. | $1,640 |
| Gary Shaffer BSW Memorial Scholarship | Gary Shaffer (PhD, ’77) was a University of Illinois School of Social Work faculty member and a passionate advocate for children and the field of school social work. Dr. Shaffer dedicated more than half of his life to the social work field and preparing students for social work practice. During his tenure at UNC, he supervised hundreds of MSW students within North Carolina school districts and served as the director of field education. He was a tireless advocate for his students and children and was instrumental in removing corporal punishment from many public school systems nationwide. This scholarship, honoring Dr. Shaffer’s memory, supports BSW students committed to the profession interested in school social work and/or public child welfare systems and practice. | Awarded to a deserving BSW student committed to the social work profession, with preference given to those with interest in school social work and/or public child welfare systems and practice. | $3,200 |
| Esther and Marvin Steinberg Memorial Scholarship | Esther Steinberg (PhD, ’74) was a professor of educational policy at the University of Illinois and a senior specialist in the Computer-based Education Research Lab. Her son-in-law created this scholarship to honor his in-laws. The award is intended to support students who have experienced being homeless or have experience working with homelessness and hunger issues or to students who demonstrate plans to work with homeless populations or persons experiencing hunger issues. | Awarded to a deserving student with preference given to those that have experienced being homeless, or have worked with homeless and/or hunger-related issues. Additional consideration given to students who demonstrate future plans to work with homeless populations and/or persons experiencing food insecurity. | $1,000 |
| Youngsoon Park Scholarship for Social Work | Youngsoon Park (1917-2009) was a talented and inspiring storyteller. From the time of her birth until her mid-30s, she survived the Japanese colonial rule of Korea and the Korean War. The Youngsoon Park Scholarship for Social Work was established by Dr. Ga-Young Choi (PhD, ’09, MSW, ’02) to honor her grandmother, Youngsoon Park. Dr. Choi recalls growing up and listening to her grandmother’s stories detailing what it was like to live through these two historical periods. Her stories centered on taking each life experience, even the adverse ones, as opportunities for learning and growth. Dr. Choi fondly remembers her grandmother’s resiliency, curiosity, and genuine care for others. She hopes this scholarship and her grandmother’s story inspire student recipients to develop and cultivate these qualities in themselves and others. Beyond honoring her grandmother, Dr. Choi hopes this scholarship will bring awareness to the Korean American community. Asian Americans are the fastest-growing ethnic minority in the United States, and Korean Americans are the fifth-largest Asian ethnic group. Despite these facts, Korean American practitioners in healthcare, mental health, and social services report that there are not enough Korean speaking helping professionals to serve this population. Dr. Choi envisions this scholarship motivating its recipients to contribute to enhancing the well-being of this population in any way they can. | Awarded to BSW or MSW students who are passionate and committed to improving the well-being of the Korean American community in the United States. Preference given to students who are conversationally bi-lingual in English and Korean languages and/or have demonstrated financial need. Further preference shall be given to students who have made ongoing efforts to learn and serve the Korean American community, such as independent study or volunteer experience in the Korean American community, and students participating in a study abroad program in Korea through the University. | $1,800 |
BSW Award Descriptions and Requirements