GCSW Financial Support

UH GCSW makes every effort to assist students in obtaining financial support for their graduate education. We offer a number of scholarships, stipend programs, assistantships and fellowships to students as funds are available. Any non-Texas resident who receives a scholarship of $1,000 or more will receive in-state (resident) tuition rates.

MSW Funding Opportunities– GCSW Scholarship Application Required

For the opportunities listed in this section, only one application is required.

Incoming and prospective students: Admitted students will receive the application link in their decision letter.

Returning students: The application link will be posted in the Canvas Advising Hub.

 Ann Parham Scholarship Endowment is awarded to students who:

• have a financial need.
• have a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• Preference is given to students with an interest in health and behavioral health or political social work and working with clients affected by movement and tic disorders such as Tourettes and Parkinsons. 

Barbara and Ernest Henley Endowment for Family Health Scholarships are awarded to MSW students who:

• are a second-year M.S.W. student.
• have documentation from their field instructor or from the GCSW field placement office showing outstanding excellence in first-year placement.
• have first or second-year placement in an agency where family treatment is emphasized and where health, broadly conceived, is part of the agency’s mission.

Barbara McGinity Endowed Scholarships are awarded to MSW students who:

• are full-time, online or hybrid, graduate degree-seeking student in good standing at the University of Houston.
• have a minimum GPA of 3.0.
• have financial need and academic merit.

Barbara Winston Scholarships are awarded to MSW students who:

• have at least a 3.0 GPA.
• are full-time students.
• have a financial need.

Catherine Tuong So Lam Memorial Scholarships are awarded to students who:

• are Master of Social Work (MSW) or MSW/Master of Public Health students.
• are currently enrolled and in good standing with GCSW.
• are pursuing a career as a social worker in the state of Texas.
• demonstrate involvement in community or church service.
• have a GPA of 3.25 or above.
• are first generation college students.
• Preference will be given to students who are bi-lingual and speak either Vietnamese, Mandarin or both.

C.F. Reibenstein Endowment for Social Work Education Scholarships are awarded to MSW students who:

• have at least a 3.0 GPA.
• are part-time students.
• have a financial need.

Cheryl Lynn Vetter Memorial Scholarships are awarded to MSW students:

• who have at least a 3.0 GPA.
• Preference will be given to students who are pursuing clinical social work with an emphasis on mental health issues. 

Dean's Advisory Council Scholarships are awarded each year to MSW and PhD students who:

• have at least a 3.0 GPA.
• have a financial need.

Dr. Barbara G. (Bobbi) and Mr. J. Victor (Vic) Samuels DAC Endowed Scholarships are given to MSW students who:

• demonstrate an interest in a career in social work.
• have at least a 3.0 GPA.
• have a financial need.

George Foundation Scholarships are awarded to entering MSW students who:

• be either in the clinical or macro concentration
• be face to face (full-time) or hybrid (part-time)
• have a 3.0 GPA or higher
• be residents of Fort Bend County
• be a permanent resident or US citizen

 George W. Magner Endowed Scholarships in Social Work are awarded each year to students who:

• are new or continuing MSW students.
• are committed to the on-going development of effective public policy.

Gerson David Gerontological Scholarships are awarded each year to MSW students who:

• have at least a 3.25 GPA.
• are full-time, second-year students.
• demonstrate a commitment to gerontology as a field of practice.
• are assigned to a field placement in gerontology.

• have at least a 3.0 GPA.
• have a financial need.

Ira C. Colby Scholarships are given to MSW students who:

• have an interest in cross-cultural social work as evidenced by participation in the Office of International Social Work.
• are full-time.
• have a 3.0 minimum GPA and are in good standing with GCSW.
• have a financial need.

Josephine Stewart Scholarships are awarded each year to MSW students who:

• have at least a 3.0 GPA.
• are full-time students.
• have a financial need.
• have an interest in research or careers in women’s issues. 

Marjorie L. and Robert R. Jenkins Scholarship is awarded MSW students who:

• are interested in end-of-life matters including but not limited to those with an interest in gerontology.
• enrolled full-time.
• continuing or new to the GCSW.

Michael and Vickey Daley Scholarships are awarded to MSW students:

• concentrating in Macro practice.

 J. DeBottis Scholarships are awarded to MSW students who:

• are full-time, continuing students.
• demonstrate a commitment to gerontology as a field of practice.

 Ruthmary A. Goldman Scholarships are awarded each year to MSW students who:

• have financial need.
• are full-time or part-time (minimum 6 credit hours) degree-seeking students at the GCSW.

Sandra A. Lopez Scholarships are provided to MSW students who:

• have a 3.0 GPA or higher.
• are a second-year clinical student.
• demonstrate exemplary commitment and interest in clinical social work practice through their scholarship application and essay.

Victoria Priya Fellowships are awarded to MSW students who:

• have at least a 3.0 GPA.
• are full-time students.
• have a financial need.
• may be either M.S.W. or Ph.D. level.
• may be entering or continuing student.
• demonstrate deep interest in social justice issues including, but not limited to, the empowerment of women and the elimination of racism and its consequences.

William Randolph Hearst Endowment in Gerontology Social Work prepares graduate social work students for competent, culturally sensitive practice in gerontological social work. Hearst Scholarships are awarded to MSW students who:

• demonstrate a commitment to gerontology as a field of practice.
• are completing field work during the academic year.
• have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. 

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MSW Funding Opportunities– Separate Application Required

For the opportunities listed in this section, click on the links below to learn more about the application process.

Charlotte Campbell Scholarship is awarded annually by the UH GCSW Alumni Association to continuing MSW students who:

• are full-time or part-time students
• have completed at least 28 semester credit hours.
• have a GPA of 3.25 or higher.
• The award is $3,000. The scholarship recipient will be announced each spring on the UH Alumni Association website.

The Child and Family Center for Innovative Research’s (CFCIR) Child & Family Study Awards provide funding support for current GCSW students’ PhD dissertations or MSW study participation in research or study abroad (contact Dr. Monit Cheung and fill out the award application form).

Child Welfare Education Project (CWEP) Stipends are awarded to incoming and current MSW students. CWEP's focus is to prepare master's level social work students for challenging and rewarding work in children's protective services. The CWEP program provides stipends to full-time and part-time students. CWEP Applicants must:

• be accepted into the M.S.W program
• be employed by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services and currently work in a Title IV-E position for 12 months
• undergo a criminal background and driving record check

Stipend recipients are chosen by a committee composed of GCSW and CPS representatives. Full-time students will receive a stipend of $5,000 a semester for up to five semesters; part-time students receive a stipend of $6,000 the first semester, then $4,000 a semester for up to ten semesters. Financial support received by students through CWEP requires re-payment through professional social work employment in Children’s Protective Services. For each semester the student receives a stipend, eight months employment at CPS is required. Current CPS employees who attend school on a part-time basis pay back four months for each semester that a stipend is received. Most students apply soon after they have been admitted to the M.S.W. Program, but students can apply any time during their enrollment at the GCSW. 

For more information and to apply, contact Renita Laury at phone: 713-743-1873 or email:  rllaury@central.uh.edu.

GLOBE Stipends are awarded to MSW students entering their advanced field placement (FP III and IV). The Global Leaders of Behavioral-health Education (GLOBE) program at the GCSW prepares students for advanced practice in behavioral health with vulnerable populations through training and financial support for each semester in which students are enrolled in field education. GLOBE recipients must:

• concentrate in Clinical Practice
• commit to working in Harris County with high need, high demand, vulnerable populations for two years post-graduation
• Preference is given to bilingual and bicultural applicants.

 The application cycle opens each year on the day of the Field Agency Marketplace in February.  An interview is required for the application.  To find out more about the GLOBE opportunity, contact Dr. McClain Sampson at phone: 713-743-6719 or email: mmsampso@central.uh.edu.

Phi Alpha Honor Society Scholarships are given to two GCSW students each year. You do not need to be a member of Phi Alpha to apply. The purpose of the Phi Alpha Honor Society is to provide a closer bond among students of social work and promote humanitarian goals and ideals. We invite all students, without regard to race, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status or other inherent characteristics, to apply for our annual scholarship program. The scholarship program is open to both M.S.W. and PhD students at the Graduate College of Social Work.  

An application will be provided by the faculty advisor for Phi Alpha. For more information about the scholarship and Phi Alpha Honor Society, contact Dr. Patrick Leung at pleung@uh.edu.

UH GCSW Alumni Association Scholarship  is awarded annually by the UH GCSW Alumni Association to continuing MSW students who:

• have completed at least 28 semester credit hours for full program students or 14 semester credit hours for advanced standing students.
• have a GPA of 3.25 or higher.
• This award is made and presented by the GCSW Alumni Association.
• The award is $3,000. The scholarship recipient will be announced each spring on the UH Alumni Association website.

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City Year Partnership

Through a partnership with City Year, we are proud to offer up to two MSW students with 25% tuition scholarships to City Year corps, alumni or staff members per year from one or more of our opportunities listed above. Eligibility and application information follows:

• The award will be in the amount of 25% of tuition, for up to 2 City Year corps, alumni or staff members per year. Scholarship only applies to the full-time, face-to-face program. The scholarship may be renewed in subsequent years of the program for up to 2 years.
• Scholarships awarded to City Year AmeriCorps members and alumni for at least one year of service and City Year staff members employed for at least two years.
• Scholarship described above represent the minimum awards; applicants can be considered for additional merit-based aid based on the academic strength of the application.
• Please indicate in the MSW application under Supplemental Questions your affiliation with City Year.

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PhD Funding Opportunities

*Charlotte Campbell Scholarship is awarded annually by the UH GCSW Alumni Association to continuing MSW or PHD student who:

• have completed at least 28 semester credit hours.
• have a GPA of 3.25 or higher.
• This award is made and awarded by the GCSW Alumni Association. 
• The award is $3,000. The scholarship recipient will be announced each spring on the UH Alumni Association website.

Fernando J. Zúñiga y Rivero Doctoral Fellowship is awarded to Ph.D. students who:

• exhibit leadership qualities as determined by the GCSW Doctoral Program Committee.
• demonstrate an interest in pursuing a career in Gerontological social work.
• are in good academic standing in the GCSW doctoral program.
• are enrolled in a minimum of nine (9) semester credit hours (SCH) for each full long semester of the award.
• maintain a GPA in accordance with the standards set by the GCSW Scholarship Committee.
• awarded to continuing students; a separate application is required

Florence Clemenger Presidential Fellowships are awarded to PhD students who:

• are entering full-time students who have not previously attended the University of Houston. Full-Time is a minimum of nine (9) semester credit hours.
• show evidence of strong academic ability, as reflected by competitive grades and GRE scores.
• awarded to incoming students only; a separate application is not required.

Graduate Tuition Fellowships (GTF) are awarded to employed Ph.D. students who:

• have a research assistantship, teaching fellowship or instructional assistant appointment at the GCSW.
• are in good academic standing in the GCSW doctoral program.
• have a cumulative graduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 for all courses attempted, as required for all graduate degree programs. First-year students should have a 3.0 GPA from their undergraduate record.
• are enrolled in a minimum of nine (9) semester credit hours (SCH) for each full long semester of the award. Funding may be available during the summer. The required number of SCHs is determined each year by the -university administration.
• awarded to incoming and continuing students; a separate application is not required. 

Mark Magaziner Fellowships are awarded to first or second-year students, MSW & PhD students who:

• have an interest in research.
• have a financial need.
• have excellent academic skills as evidenced by a high GPA.
• awarded to incoming and continuing students; a separate application is required.

Monit Cheung and Patrick Leung 20^th Anniversary PhD Scholarship are awarded to doctoral students based on the following criteria:

• All doctoral students, regardless of citizenship status, are eligible to apply.
• Scholarship award can be used to cover expenses for tuition and fees.
• Scholarship award may be used for student travel as it pertains to attending and presenting research.
• Scholarship recipients may accept other scholarship and grants in conjunction with this award.
• Scholarship recipients must have a minimum GPA of 3.25.
• Scholarship award is not renewable. Applicants must reapply.

The Presidential Fellowship is awarded through the Graduate School and was established to assist programs to identify and recruit highly qualified Ph.D. students.  This two-year fellowship is available to students entering doctoral programs at the University of Houston. Selections for this fellowship are made by the Ph.D. Program Admissions Committee. Awarded to incoming students only; a separate application is not required.

Research Assistantships (RA) are awarded to Ph.D. students on a competitive basis. If awarded an RA, students must enroll for a minimum of nine (9) semester credit hours each fall and spring semester. In exchange for 20 hour a week employment in the GCSW specific to research activities and projects, students receive a 9-month salary of $1,826.21 per month. Non-residents benefit additionally by receiving in-state tuition rates. Awarded to incoming and continuing students; as separate application is not required.

Teaching Fellowships/Instructional Assistantships (TF/IA) are awarded to Ph.D. students on a competitive basis. If awarded TF/IA, students must enroll for a minimum of nine (9) semester credit hours each fall and spring semester. In exchange for 20 hour a week employment in the GCSW specific to teaching, students receive a 9-month salary of $1,500 per month, plus a $150 per month insurance stipend. Non-residents benefit additionally by receiving in-state tuition rates. IA may be awarded to incoming students, no separate application required; OR TF may be awarded to continuing students on a competitive basis for which a separate application is required.

UH GCSW Alumni Association Scholarship is awarded annually by the UH GCSW Alumni Association to continuing MSW or PHD student who:

• have completed at least 28 semester credit hours.
• have a GPA of 3.25 or higher.
• This award is made and presented by the GCSW Alumni Association.
• The award is $3,000. The scholarship recipient will be announced each spring on the UH Alumni Association website.

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Assistantships

GCSW GRADUATE STUDENT EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION
(To be completed only by currently accepted or currently enrolled GCSW students)

MSW PROGRAM

Assistantships are available to full-time students admitted unconditionally to the M.S.W. Program. Students must apply and interview for positions. If awarded an assistantship, students must enroll for a minimum of nine hours each fall and spring semester (six hours in the summer). In exchange for 20 hour a week employment in the GCSW, students receive $1,291.21 per month. The appointment of a graduate assistant is normally for the full academic year (Fall and Spring semesters), although a one-semester appointment is possible. Summer employment is not guaranteed and will be based on departmental needs.

Once applicants have received their acceptance letter for admission to the M.S.W. program, they may apply for an assistantship. Send a resume with the Graduate Student Employment Application to Ann Liberman at aliberman@uh.edu. You can contact Ann Liberman at 713-743-8071.

PHD PROGRAM

Assistantships are available to full-time students admitted unconditionally to the Ph.D. Program. Please see PhD Funding Opportunities above for more information.

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Nonprofit Leadership Alliance 

Scholarship opportunities are available for undergraduate students in the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance (NLA) Certificate Program. Please see their page for more information.

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UH Graduate School Funding Opportunities

The UH Graduate School has information on multiple opportunities available to graduate and professional students to fund their programs at the University of Houston as well as information on numerous external resources available for students. Click here for more information: http://www.uh.edu/graduate-school/graduate-funding/

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UH Financial Aid

A variety of grants and loans are available through the University of Houston Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid located in the Welcome Center, at corner of University Avenue and Calhoun. For additional information, visit them at www.uh.edu/enroll/sfa. To apply for federal student loans and grants, visit FASFA or call 1-800-433-3243. The UH school code for FAFSA is 003652. If needed, short term loans are also available.

All awards are available as funding permits.

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