Social Work Scholarships

The Burkland Scholarship is awarded to one graduate student up to $1,500, each year, who is majoring in Social Work. Preference shall be given to an indigenous student who is studying full-time with financial need, a 3.0 GPA or higher, academic achievement, community involvement, and professional aspirations.

Allocations from the endowment will provide scholarships for juniors or seniors admitted to the Social Work Program within the College of Nursing and Professional Disciplines who have expressed interest in children’s mental health with a preference for infant mental health and a minimum GPA of 3.0.

Allocations from this endowment will provide up to $1,000 to an undergraduate student admitted and pursuing a BSSW degree.

This scholarship provides up to $1,000 to a concentration-level graduate student in social work who demonstrates potential for leadership in social work administration and public policy.

Application must include:

1. a resume
2. a letter of recommendation from an academic or professional source familiar with your character and the quality of your work
3. a written paper (no more than 5 pages) on a current social work administration and public policy issue.

Applicants with a commitment to practice social work in North Dakota will be given the highest priority.

The Henriette Lund Scholarship awards one senior BSSW student with an outstanding grade-point average, exemplary promise as a social work professional, and has demonstrated participation in advancement of the profession by their actions, the award is up to $1,000.

The Foundation shall distribute allocations from the Fund each year for one scholarship for a graduate student in Social Work and who has shown potential for child welfare leadership and has demonstrated potential for excellence in graduate school academic work.

Applicants will be nominated by faculty or adjunct faculty by March 1 of their first year in graduate school. Applicants will be invited to write a paper of no more than five pages on a current child welfare issue. Child welfare is defined broadly but is limited to the practice of Social Work delivered through public or private Human Service agencies. Applicants may also submit their resume and letter of support from faculty. The collective information on each nominee will be reviewed by a Social Work appointed panel, including a community child welfare professional.

The Don and Sylvia Schmid CNPD Indigenous Scholarship is awarded to one student who is majoring within the College of Nursing and Professional Disciplines. Recipients shall be members of a federally recognized Native American tribe within the Midwest and working towards a graduate degree. Applicants will write a paper of no more than five pages on a current issue impacting Indigenous people in their chosen profession. Applicants may also submit their resume and letter of support from faculty.

The purpose of IV-E Child Welfare Stipends is to support students interested in a career in Child Welfare Services while building the Child Welfare Workforce in the State of North Dakota.

About the Program

The University of North Dakota, Department of Social Work pays undergraduate and graduate students to prepare for North Dakota public child welfare work through a stipend program.

To repay the stipend, the student agrees to work in a North Dakota Child Welfare Human Service Zone or ND Tribal Child Welfare Agency for a specified period after graduation, dependent upon the number of semesters funding is received (minimum 12 months).  Approved work repayment positions include Child Protective Services, In-Home or Family Preservation Services, Foster Care Services, and ICWA Worker.

Other possible positions require approval from the Children and Family Services Division of the North Dakota Department of Human Services. Employment might necessitate relocation to other parts of the State. If employment in an appropriate agency is not achieved within the 12-month grace period repayment of funding is required.

The student further is responsible to:

• Remain in good standing in the social work program, as defined by the University of North Dakota, Department of Social Work in their catalog.
• Complete their Social Work internship within a public or tribal child welfare agency
  • The faculty of the social work department will determine the appropriateness of field placement.
• Complete required Child Welfare Scholars Elective credit hours
• Abide by the National Association of Social Work Code of Ethics and North Dakota rules and laws governing social work during the repayment period.

Additional Information

Application Dates

• Currently accepting applications
• Stipend distribution is dependent upon available funds.
• Interviews will be arranged by the Child Welfare Stipend Committee.
• If you are selected by the committee for the stipend you will proceed to sign a contract with the Children and Family Services Division of the North Dakota Department of Human Services.

Questions?

Contact Stephanie Homstad at  stephanie.homstad@UND.edu

IV-E Child Welfare Stipend Application

The UND School of Graduate Studies provides information about scholarships, graduate teaching assistantships, and research assistantships which are offered from a variety of departments. Students work approximately 10 hours per week and earn a tuition waiver and health insurance. Students who are interested in a graduate assistantship from the Department of Social Work should indicate their interest at the time of application. Graduate students can be kept informed of important dates, deadlines, and news (including graduate assistantships) by joining the graduate student announcement email list.

The Student Financial Aid Office in One-Stop Student Services offers information about scholarships, grants, employment and loans.