Social Work Funding Opportunities in Louisiana - 2026

Funding for social work education in Louisiana comes from multiple sources—your school’s financial aid office, state agencies, workforce development programs, and community organizations. This page brings together opportunities you might otherwise discover separately, helping you identify which programs align with your degree level, career goals, and timeline.

Find Louisiana Social Work Funding by Your Situation

Use this section to narrow down which opportunities matter most to you. Read the description that matches your situation, then look for the next step—whether that means visiting your school’s financial aid page, understanding a work commitment, or checking specific eligibility rules before you apply.

I’m a BSW (Bachelor of Social Work) student

Your school may offer funding through its own financial aid office, or you may qualify for specialized stipends if you’re interested in child welfare work. Start by checking whether your social work program participates in Title IV-E funding.

• If you’re considering child welfare as a career, look at the Title IV-E Child Welfare Scholar Stipend Program at ULM and the Title IV-E Child Welfare Scholars Program at Northwestern State University. Both offer stipends but include a commitment to work with Louisiana DCFS after graduation—confirm the service obligation fits your plans before applying.
• Check your school’s general scholarship and aid pages: ULM Scholarships and Northwestern State University’s Social Work Department Scholarship.

I’m an MSW (Master of Social Work) student

Graduate-level funding is available through Tulane’s School of Social Work and through workforce partnerships. Several options target tuition support, books, and materials.

• Explore scholarships at Tulane, including the Adele A. Eisler SW ’57 Scholarship, Cynthia Sanborn Ware Women in Leadership Scholarship, and others that range from partial to full tuition coverage.
• If you work for Louisiana DCFS or plan to, check the Child Welfare Employee MSW Educational Support Program, which covers tuition, books, and technology.
• If you’re enrolled at Tulane, ask about the City Year Scholarship, which provides 25% annual tuition support.

I’m interested in child welfare as a career

Louisiana has dedicated funding to prepare social workers for child welfare roles. These programs typically include a service obligation—you commit to working with DCFS for a set period after graduation—but the financial support is substantial.

• BSW students: Review the Title IV-E Child Welfare Scholar Stipend Program at ULM and Title IV-E Child Welfare Scholars Program at Northwestern State. Both require commitment to a post-graduation work requirement with DCFS. Contact your school’s social work department to confirm application timelines and eligibility.
• MSW students already working in child welfare or planning to enter the field should contact Louisiana DCFS directly about the Child Welfare Employee MSW Educational Support Program.

I want to check if I qualify for identity- or community-based funding

Some scholarships are open to students from specific communities or with particular identities. Verify the eligibility requirements directly with the organization.

• Visit the PFLAG New Orleans Scholarship page to learn about requirements and how to apply.

I attend Grambling State University

Check your school’s financial aid office for information on grants and scholarships available to social work students.

Quick Comparison of Louisiana Social Work Funding Options

After reviewing the situation-based guide above, use this table to compare the available opportunities by audience, amount, deadline, service obligation, and source link. Opportunity names jump to the detailed cards below, while the type column jumps to each funding section.

Louisiana Social Work Scholarships and Funding Opportunities

Stipends

Tuition Support

Scholarships

Grants

How to Use This Resource

The opportunities listed above come from multiple sources—your school’s financial aid and social work offices, workforce development programs, and community organizations. To make the most of this guide, start with what’s closest to your current situation.

Begin by filtering opportunities for your degree level. Most awards on this page are designed for MSW students, though several support BSW and undergraduate social work students as well. Check each opportunity’s description to confirm it matches your program type before you apply.

Next, look for any service obligations. A few of these opportunities require you to work in a specific field or location after graduation—typically in child welfare or rural social work settings. Read those terms carefully and only apply if you’re willing to meet the commitment, since breaking a service obligation can have financial consequences.

Before submitting any application, visit the source page to verify three things: the current award amount, the application deadline, and the specific eligibility rules. Funding details change, and the information on this page reflects what was available at the time of verification. If the source page is unclear or you have questions about whether you qualify, contact the provider directly—that’s always the fastest way to get answers.

Finally, use this resource alongside your FAFSA, your school’s institutional aid, and conversations with your program advisor or financial aid office. These opportunities are supplements to—not replacements for—other funding you may already be eligible for.

Last Verified

Funding details can change. Use the source links to confirm current award amounts, deadlines, eligibility rules, and service obligations before applying.