Social work funding in Alaska comes from multiple sources: your school’s financial aid office, public workforce programs, federal agencies, and community foundations. Finding the right opportunity for your situation takes some strategic searching, but this guide will help you narrow down where to look based on your degree level, career interests, and background.
The sections below will help you identify which types of opportunities fit your circumstances before you dive into the full comparison table. For each situation, we’ve highlighted the best starting point—whether that’s checking with your school, confirming service commitments, or exploring national programs.
Graduate students have access to fellowships, scholarships, and tuition support programs that target your degree level. Many of these opportunities have listed award amounts and upcoming deadlines.
Undergraduate social work students have fewer degree-specific opportunities, but several scholarships and tuition support programs accept both BSW and MSW applicants.
If you plan to work in mental health, substance use disorder services, or community behavioral health, several fellowships and loan repayment programs prioritize this pathway.
Multiple funding sources prioritize Alaska Native and American Indian students, as well as students from underrepresented communities in social work.
If you plan to work in public health, rural health, or government social services, loan repayment programs can help manage education debt.
Doctoral students have access to fellowships, grants, and specialized funding for research and policy work.
Some opportunities are managed by your school’s financial aid office or social work program, while others require direct application to external organizations.
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.
| Opportunity | Provider | Best for | Amount | Deadline | Service obligation | Type / section | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vet Center Scholarship Program | U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs | MSW / graduate students, school-based aid | Full tuition and fees, additional expenses, and monthly living stipend | Rolling | Yes — see opportunity | Tuition Support | Source |
| CSWE Minority Fellowship Program (Master's) | Council on Social Work Education | MSW / graduate students, behavioral health career path, identity- or community-based aid | $10,000 to $13,000 | January to March | Not listed | Fellowships | Source |
| Neysa Fanwick Memorial Scholarship Endowment | NASW Foundation | MSW / graduate students, child welfare career path, behavioral health career path | $5,000 | 2027-2028 application cycle will open January 2027 | Not listed | Scholarships | Source |
| Pride Foundation Scholarship | Pride Foundation | students checking eligibility requirements, identity- or community-based aid | Varies | January 9 | Not listed | Scholarships | Source |
| Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans | Paul and Daisy Soros Foundation | MSW / graduate students, general funding search | Up to $90,000 | October 29 | Not listed | Scholarships | Source |
| American Indian College Fund Scholarships | American Indian College Fund | students checking eligibility requirements, identity- or community-based aid, school-based aid | $3,000 | May 31 | Not listed | Scholarships | Source |
| Consuelo W. Gosnell Memorial Scholarship | NASW Foundation | MSW / graduate students, identity- or community-based aid | up to $5,000 each | March 11, 2020 | Not listed | Scholarships | Source |
| Indian Health Service Preparatory Scholarship | Indian Health Service | BSW / undergraduate students, MSW / graduate students, identity- or community-based aid | $350-$750, plus a monthly stipend of $1,500 | February 28 | Not listed | Scholarships | Source |
| Eileen Blackey Doctoral Fellowship | NASW Foundation | doctoral students, general funding search | partial support | Deadline information incomplete on page | Not listed | Grants | Contact provider |
| ANTHC $5,000 Board Scholarship | Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC) | students checking eligibility requirements, identity- or community-based aid | $5,000 | Applications for the 2025-2026 academic year will open March 1, 2025 | Not listed | Scholarships | Contact provider |
| Ella Craig/NASW Alaska Chapter Social Work Scholarship – UAA | NASW Alaska Chapter | BSW / undergraduate students, MSW / graduate students, school-based aid | $500 | Expired | Not listed | Scholarships | Contact provider |
| Carl A. Scott Memorial Fund | Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) | students checking eligibility requirements, general funding search | $500 each | Not listed | Not listed | Scholarships | Source |
| Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund | Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund | students checking eligibility requirements, need-based aid | Up to $15,000 | Not listed | Not listed | Scholarships | Source |
| Alaska Community Foundation Scholarships | Alaska Community Foundation | students checking eligibility requirements, school-based aid | over $1.25 million total | Not listed | Not listed | Scholarships | Source |
| Verne LaMarr Lyons Memorial Scholarship | NASW Foundation | MSW / graduate students, behavioral health career path | $4,000 per scholarship | Not listed | Not listed | Scholarships | Contact provider |
| Minority Fellowship Program (MFP) – Doctoral Students | Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) | doctoral students, behavioral health career path, identity- or community-based aid | Not listed | 2026–2027 application period is closed | Yes — see opportunity | Fellowships | Source |
| Minority Fellowship Program (MFP) for Master's Students | Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), funded by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) | MSW / graduate students, behavioral health career path, identity- or community-based aid | Not listed | 2026–2027 MFP MSW application period is now closed | Yes — see opportunity | Stipends | Source |
| Homer Foundation Scholarships | Homer Foundation | students checking eligibility requirements, general funding search | Not listed | March 18th, 2026 at 11:59 PM | Not listed | Scholarships | Source |
| Minority Fellowship Program (MFP) – Doctoral Fellowship | Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) / Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) | doctoral students, behavioral health career path, identity- or community-based aid | Not listed | 2026–2027 application period is closed; 2027–2028 opening to be announced | Not listed | Stipends | Source |
| Alaska Native/American Indian Off-Slope Tuition Waiver | Iḷisaġvik College | students checking eligibility requirements, identity- or community-based aid, school-based aid | Not listed | Due each semester before the withdrawal deadline for the class | Not listed | Tuition Support | Source |
| NASW Foundation MSW Scholarships | NASW Foundation | MSW / graduate students, general funding search | Not listed | January 28 – March 10 | Not listed | Scholarships | Contact provider |
| NHSC Loan Repayment Program (LRP) | National Health Service Corps (NHSC), Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) | students checking eligibility requirements, public service / workforce path | Not listed | Not listed | Yes — see opportunity | Loan Repayment | Source |
| NHSC Rural Community Loan Repayment Program | National Health Service Corps (NHSC), Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) | students checking eligibility requirements, public service / workforce path | Not listed | Not listed | Yes — see opportunity | Loan Repayment | Source |
| NHSC Students to Service Loan Repayment Program | National Health Service Corps (NHSC), Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) | students checking eligibility requirements, public service / workforce path | Not listed | Not listed | Yes — see opportunity | Loan Repayment | Source |
| NHSC Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Workforce Loan Repayment Program | National Health Service Corps (NHSC), Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) | students checking eligibility requirements, behavioral health career path, public service / workforce path | Not listed | Not listed | Yes — see opportunity | Loan Repayment | Source |
| IHS Scholarship Program | Indian Health Service (IHS) | students checking eligibility requirements, identity- or community-based aid | Not listed | Not listed | Yes — see opportunity | Scholarships | Source |
| Alaska State Loan Repayment Program | Alaska Department of Health & Social Services | students checking eligibility requirements, public service / workforce path, school-based aid | Not listed | Not listed | Yes — see opportunity | Loan Repayment | Source |
| Minority Fellowship Program | Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration | students checking eligibility requirements, behavioral health career path, identity- or community-based aid | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Fellowships | Source |
| Doctoral Student Policy Fellowship | Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR), and Group for the Advancement of Doctoral Education in Social Work (GADE) | doctoral students, public service / workforce path | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Fellowships | Source |
| American Indians Into Psychology Program | Indian Health Service (IHS) | doctoral students, identity- or community-based aid | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Scholarships | Source |
| Pre-Graduate Scholarship | Indian Health Service (IHS) | MSW / graduate students, behavioral health career path | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Scholarships | Source |
| Scholarship Opportunities | Southcentral Foundation | students checking eligibility requirements, identity- or community-based aid | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Scholarships | Source |
| Scholarship Opportunities | University of Alaska Anchorage School of Social Work | students checking eligibility requirements, school-based aid | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Scholarships | Source |
| Scholarships and Financial Aid | University of Alaska Fairbanks Department of Social Work | BSW / undergraduate students, school-based aid | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Scholarships | Source |
| Scholarships | University of Alaska Anchorage | students checking eligibility requirements, school-based aid | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Scholarships | Source |
| IHS Loan Repayment | Indian Health Service (IHS) | students checking eligibility requirements, behavioral health career path, public service / workforce path | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Loan Repayment | Source |
| Jane B. Aron Doctoral Fellowship | NASW Foundation | doctoral students, general funding search | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Grants | Contact provider |
Jump to:
Quick Comparison | Tuition Support | Fellowships | Scholarships | Grants | Stipends | Loan Repayment
Provider:
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Best for:
MSW / graduate students, school-based aid
Type:
Tuition Support, May be broader than one school, school-based aid
Amount:
Full tuition and fees, additional expenses, and monthly living stipend
Eligibility:
Graduate students pursuing MSW; must commit to working full-time within a VA Vet Center after graduation
Deadline:
Rolling
Service obligation:
Applicants must commit to working full-time within a VA Vet Center after graduation.
More information:
Provider:
Iḷisaġvik College
Best for:
students checking eligibility requirements, identity- or community-based aid, school-based aid
Type:
Tuition Support, School-specific, identity- or community-based aid, school-based aid
Eligibility:
Alaska Native or American Indian students not residing on the North Slope
Deadline:
Due each semester before the withdrawal deadline for the class
More information:
Provider:
NASW Foundation
Best for:
MSW / graduate students, child welfare career path, behavioral health career path
Type:
Scholarships, May be broader than one school, child welfare career path, behavioral health career path
Amount:
$5,000
Eligibility:
Must be NASW member in good standing, applied to or accepted into accredited MSW program, demonstrate strong graduation potential, and show commitment to social justice and innovative solutions for vulnerable populations.
Deadline:
2027-2028 application cycle will open January 2027
More information:
Provider:
Pride Foundation
Best for:
students checking eligibility requirements, identity- or community-based aid
Type:
Scholarships, Alaska-specific, identity- or community-based aid
Amount:
Varies
Eligibility:
LGBTQ+ and allied students; residents of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Washington, or Oregon; may study elsewhere
Deadline:
January 9
More information:
Provider:
Paul and Daisy Soros Foundation
Best for:
MSW / graduate students, general funding search
Type:
Scholarships, May be broader than one school, general funding search
Amount:
Up to $90,000
Eligibility:
Immigrants, children of immigrants, and refugees; pursuing graduate studies including social work; demonstrate commitment to making significant contributions to American society, culture, or academic field
Deadline:
October 29
More information:
Provider:
American Indian College Fund
Best for:
students checking eligibility requirements, identity- or community-based aid, school-based aid
Type:
Scholarships, School-specific, identity- or community-based aid, school-based aid
Amount:
$3,000
Eligibility:
Members of federally recognized tribes; American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian applicants; attending accredited nonprofit college or university
Deadline:
May 31
More information:
Provider:
NASW Foundation
Best for:
MSW / graduate students, identity- or community-based aid
Type:
Scholarships, May be broader than one school, identity- or community-based aid
Amount:
up to $5,000 each
Eligibility:
Must be NASW member in good standing, have applied to or been accepted into an accredited MSW program, have GPA of 3.0 or above, and demonstrate potential for completing MSW program. Students enrolled for more than one year may reapply for second year funding.
Deadline:
March 11, 2020
More information:
Provider:
Indian Health Service
Best for:
BSW / undergraduate students, MSW / graduate students, identity- or community-based aid
Type:
Scholarships, School-specific, identity- or community-based aid
Amount:
$350-$750, plus a monthly stipend of $1,500
Eligibility:
American Indian and Alaska Native undergraduate students; members or descendants of federally recognized, state-recognized, or terminated tribes; pursuing healthcare degrees
Deadline:
February 28
More information:
Provider:
Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC)
Best for:
students checking eligibility requirements, identity- or community-based aid
Type:
Scholarships, Alaska-specific, identity- or community-based aid
Amount:
$5,000
Eligibility:
Alaska Native and American Indian students pursuing higher education in health care related fields
Deadline:
Applications for the 2025-2026 academic year will open March 1, 2025
Provider:
Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund
Best for:
students checking eligibility requirements, need-based aid
Type:
Scholarships, School-specific, need-based aid
Amount:
Up to $15,000
Eligibility:
Enrolled in accredited degree program with ongoing participation in progressive social change work
More information:
Provider:
Alaska Community Foundation
Best for:
students checking eligibility requirements, school-based aid
Type:
Scholarships, School-specific, school-based aid
Amount:
over $1.25 million total
More information:
Provider:
NASW Foundation
Best for:
MSW / graduate students, behavioral health career path
Type:
Scholarships, May be broader than one school, behavioral health career path
Amount:
$4,000 per scholarship
Eligibility:
Must be NASW member in good standing, applied to or accepted into accredited MSW program, GPA 3.0 or above, potential for completing MSW program
Provider:
Homer Foundation
Best for:
students checking eligibility requirements, general funding search
Type:
Scholarships, Alaska-specific, general funding search
Eligibility:
Must currently reside in service area OR have graduated from Homer High School, Homer Flex, Kachemak Selo, Nanwalek, Ninilchik, Port Graham, Razdolna, Susan B. English, Voznesenka, or have connections through KPBSD (must reside in Southern Kenai Peninsula). Additional eligibility requirements vary by specific scholarship.
Deadline:
March 18th, 2026 at 11:59 PM
More information:
Provider:
NASW Foundation
Best for:
MSW / graduate students, general funding search
Type:
Scholarships, May be broader than one school, general funding search
Eligibility:
NASW members
Deadline:
January 28 – March 10
Provider:
Indian Health Service (IHS)
Best for:
students checking eligibility requirements, identity- or community-based aid
Type:
Scholarships, May be broader than one school, identity- or community-based aid
Eligibility:
American Indian and Alaska Native health professions students
Service obligation:
minimum two-year service commitment within an Indian health program
More information:
Provider:
Indian Health Service (IHS)
Best for:
doctoral students, identity- or community-based aid
Type:
Scholarships, May be broader than one school, identity- or community-based aid
Eligibility:
American Indian and Alaska Native students pursuing PhD in clinical psychology at accredited universities
More information:
Provider:
Indian Health Service (IHS)
Best for:
MSW / graduate students, behavioral health career path
Type:
Scholarships, May be broader than one school, behavioral health career path
More information:
Provider:
Southcentral Foundation
Best for:
students checking eligibility requirements, identity- or community-based aid
Type:
Scholarships, Alaska-specific, identity- or community-based aid
Eligibility:
Alaska Native and American Indian people interested in health care fields
More information:
Provider:
University of Alaska Anchorage
Best for:
students checking eligibility requirements, school-based aid
Type:
Scholarships, School-specific, school-based aid
More information:
Provider:
NASW Foundation
Best for:
doctoral students, general funding search
Type:
Grants, May be broader than one school, general funding search
Amount:
partial support
Eligibility:
NASW member in good standing; doctoral candidate with dissertation chair verification; completed application with three-page proposal summary, student profile/CV, and signed release of information
Deadline:
Deadline information incomplete on page
Provider:
NASW Foundation
Best for:
doctoral students, general funding search
Type:
Grants, May be broader than one school, general funding search
Eligibility:
Applicant must be a member of NASW in good standing and be a doctoral candidate in a social work education program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Dissertation research must focus on health care policy and practice.
Provider:
National Health Service Corps (NHSC), Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA)
Best for:
students checking eligibility requirements, public service / workforce path
Type:
Loan Repayment, May be broader than one school, public service / workforce path
Service obligation:
Service requirements apply
More information:
Provider:
National Health Service Corps (NHSC), Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA)
Best for:
students checking eligibility requirements, public service / workforce path
Type:
Loan Repayment, May be broader than one school, public service / workforce path
Service obligation:
Service requirements apply
More information:
Provider:
National Health Service Corps (NHSC), Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA)
Best for:
students checking eligibility requirements, public service / workforce path
Type:
Loan Repayment, May be broader than one school, public service / workforce path
Service obligation:
Service requirements apply
More information:
Provider:
National Health Service Corps (NHSC), Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA)
Best for:
students checking eligibility requirements, behavioral health career path, public service / workforce path
Type:
Loan Repayment, May be broader than one school, behavioral health career path, public service / workforce path
Service obligation:
Service requirements apply
More information:
Provider:
Indian Health Service (IHS)
Best for:
students checking eligibility requirements, behavioral health career path, public service / workforce path
Type:
Loan Repayment, May be broader than one school, behavioral health career path, public service / workforce path
More information:
Finding the right funding starts with knowing where to look. Since opportunities come from your school, employers, workforce boards, and community organizations, use these steps to narrow down what applies to you.
First, identify your situation. Are you a BSW student, MSW student, or pursuing a doctoral degree? Are you already enrolled, planning to apply, or exploring programs? Some awards target specific degree levels, so confirming yours early saves time. If you’re unsure whether you qualify for an opportunity listed here, check the eligibility section on the source page or contact the provider directly—many have staff who can clarify in minutes.
Next, start with opportunities closest to you. School-based aid through your institution’s financial aid office or program often has the most straightforward application. If you’re employed or considering social work as a career change, also explore opportunities tied to your employer, your field of practice (such as behavioral health or child welfare), or your identity or community affiliation. Some awards are Alaska-specific; others may be available to students nationwide.
Pay close attention to service obligations. Some funding comes with a requirement to work in a specific setting, location, or field after graduation—sometimes for several years. Read these terms carefully before applying. If you plan to leave Alaska or work in private practice, obligations tied to public service or rural practice may not fit your goals.
Confirm deadlines and amounts before you apply. This resource reflects information as of its last update, but funding details change. Visit the source page for each opportunity to verify the current deadline, award amount, and any recent changes to eligibility. Deadlines vary widely—some are rolling (first come, first served), while others fall on specific dates throughout the year.
Use this page alongside other aid sources. Scholarships and grants here complement FAFSA, institutional aid, loans, and support from your program’s financial aid office. Talk with your program advisor, financial aid counselor, or department chair about which opportunities align with your timeline and circumstances. They often know about local scholarships or application tips that aren’t published online.
When in doubt, ask. If a page or requirement is unclear, reach out to the organization offering the award. Most will answer basic questions about eligibility or deadlines by email or phone.
Funding details can change. Use the source links to confirm current award amounts, deadlines, eligibility rules, and service obligations before applying.
