Amazing Grace Restorative Justice Scholarship

The University of Illinois School of Social Work is proud to announce the establishment of the Amazing Grace Restorative Justice Scholarship Fund. This scholarship addresses the historical and ongoing impacts of racial exploitation and discrimination by providing financial support to international graduate students from the global south pursuing a Master of Social Work degree.

Purpose and Background
The history of racial exploitation has left deep scars, particularly in regions such as the global south. Countries like Brazil, which was the largest importer of slaves and the last to abolish slavery, continue to grapple with the legacy of this brutal past. Descendants of slaves, indigenous people, and multiracial individuals in these regions often face significant social, emotional, and economic inequities. These inequities are exacerbated by a lack of access to quality education, healthcare, meaningful employment, and opportunities to accumulate wealth.

The aftermath of COVID-19 and the renewed attention to racial injustice through the Black Lives Matter protests of 2020 have highlighted the need for increased diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education. However, opportunities remain scarce for international students from the global south, particularly in the face of rising authoritarianism and the dismantling of social safety networks.

Scholarship Goals
The Amazing Grace Restorative Justice Scholarship seeks to create a pathway for healing, growth, and justice by providing financial restitution to historically marginalized persons. This scholarship will support graduate students from the global south who have experienced and continue to experience adversity, including class, gender, and racial discrimination. Preference will be given to those students committed to recognizing and combating oppressive systems to create a more socially just society.

Application and Selection
Eligible students must be international students from the global south pursuing a Master of Social Work at the University of Illinois. Applicants should demonstrate how their personal experiences and academic goals align with the scholarship’s mission of promoting social justice and equity.

All MSW students will be screened for eligibility during the scholarship application period this fall.

You can help, too! Every dollar donated towards scholarships like this goes directly to help social work students with their education expenses. If giving is in your heart and you’re interested in supporting those who support our society, please contact Nathan Goebel in the Office of Advancement to discuss how we can make an impact together.