The Scholarship/Awards Committee is responsible for announcing, selecting, and disbursing the following scholarships in the School of Social Work.
Each award is announced on student listservs, and in class as appropriate. Application materials are made available in each center as applicable. Recipients are recognized at the graduation ceremony in May.
Scholarship opportunities for continuing undergraduates
Students must be enrolled in required social work courses during the semester of the award application deadline and the semester the award is deposited into the recipient’s student account.
Visit the SSW Scholarship ICON site to view details about criteria and to submit an application for each scholarship.
Contact ssw-dept@uiowa.edu with questions about these scholarships.
Fall application deadline scholarships (due Nov. 14, 2025)
Christensen-Klein Scholarship
$1,000 award supports an undergraduate social work student currently enrolled in the professional core courses who demonstrates merit and are in good academic standing. Visit the SSW Scholarship ICON site for more information.
Stephen and Lynnette Anfinson Scholarship Award
A $2,000 award made to an undergraduate social work student currently enrolled in the professional core courses who is a resident of Iowa. The criteria for the award are academic success, aptitude for and commitment to the profession as demonstrated in volunteer or work histories, and Iowa residency. Visit the SSW Scholarship ICON site for more information.
The Former Faculty Scholarship
Funded by memorial donations and other gifts made in honor of retiring faculty members and their contributions to the School. Each year a $1,000 award is given to one undergraduate student who is enrolled in the professional core courses. This scholarship considers academic excellence but also places an emphasis on supporting future-oriented students who have diverse experiences, cultures, and extracurricular activities. Visit the SSW Scholarship ICON site for more information.
Houlihan First Gen Scholarship
A scholarship of $2,500 will be made to an undergraduate social work student currently enrolled in the professional core courses whom identifies as a first-generation college student. Visit the SSW Scholarship ICON site for more information.
H. Wayne and Donna J. Johnson Award
Named in memory of longtime faculty member and director of the BA Program H. Wayne Johnson, annually provides $2,000 of support to a junior or senior undergraduate social work student currently enrolled in the professional core courses. Visit the SSW Scholarship ICON site for more information.
Margaret Bridgen Rostenbach Memorial Scholarship
One $2,000 award made to an undergraduate social work student currently enrolled in the professional core courses with particular interest to provide case work. The criteria for the award is academic success and aptitude for and commitment to the profession as demonstrated in volunteer or work experience. Visit the SSW Scholarship ICON site for more information.
Sanderson Family Scholarship
This $1,000 scholarship is to support an undergraduate social work student currently enrolled in the professional core courses. The criteria for the award are: financial need, academic excellence (minimum 3.2 GPA), and aptitude for and commitment to the profession. Visit the SSW Scholarship ICON site for more information.
Spring application deadline scholarships (2026 due date TBD)
Jean H. Winter and Robin Odem Award
One $4,000 annual award made to a junior undergraduate social work student currently enrolled in the professional core courses who is a resident of Iowa. The criteria for the award is academic success, aptitude for and commitment to the profession as demonstrated in volunteer or work histories, and Iowa residency. Visit the SSW Scholarship ICON site for more information.
Other scholarships and fellowships
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences supports numerous scholarships through the college's annual scholarship competition. For a list of scholarships available in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and information on applying for scholarships, visit the CLAS Scholarships page.
- General UI undergraduate scholarship information
- Miscellaneous scholarship opportunities
- Scholarship Portal for Undergraduate Students (filter for "Social Work" )
- Scholarships for first-year students and transfer students
University of Iowa support
- 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.
- The Office of Student Financial Aid
- Latino Social Workers Association
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences scholarships
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences also awards scholarships to students continuing coursework in a major within the college. Some scholarships are open to all liberal arts and sciences students and others are for select liberal arts and sciences majors.