Financial Aid Resources

The Aging & Adult Services (AAS) MSW Training Program is a statewide, specialized training
initiative funded by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) and coordinated by
San José State University (SJSU). The program prepares MSW students for careers in Adult
Protective Services (APS) and other public adult service systems that serve aging and
vulnerable adults throughout California.
The AAS Training Program provides financial support, specialized field training, professional
development, and a pathway to public service employment in California’s adult services sector.

Stipend & Participation Details (AY 2026–2027)

• Stipend Amount: $25,000 per academic year
• Disbursement: Two equal payments in week 6 of Fall and Spring semesters (contingent on continued eligibility) 
• Participation: Only available to MSW students at Cal Poly Humboldt in a qualifying placement. 
• Duration: Students may participate for up to two academic years (foundation and/or advanced year), but must reapply each year.

Eligibility Requirements

To be considered for the AAS Training Program, students must:

• Be enrolled full-time or part-time in the MSW program at Cal Poly Humboldt
• Be in good academic standing
• Be matched with an eligible practicum placement site
• Not be receiving funding from any other CDSS-administered stipend or training program in the same academic year

While the Aging & Adult Services (AAS) MSW Training Program at Cal Poly Humboldt does not
support part-time participation in the stipend program, all MSW students enrolled in either the Campus or Distributed Learning (DL/Online) program are eligible to apply. This includes students in extended-format DL programs.

Community Placement Criteria

All community placements must be publicly funded and specifically designed to serve aging and/or vulnerable adult populations.

Foundation Year:

Students must be placed in publicly funded agencies or programs that:

• Provide social work services specifically for older or dependent adults, and
• Operate within systems such as community-based case management, aging services, or public behavioral health

Advanced Year:

Students must be placed in:

• County or Tribal Adult Protective Services (APS) units,
• In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS),
• Public Guardian/Public Conservator offices, or
• Other qualifying public adult services agencies

Note: Medi-Cal reimbursement alone does not qualify a site as publicly funded.

Post-Graduation Service Commitment

For each year of stipend received, students must:

• Complete one year of full-time (or equivalent part-time) employment in a qualifying California-based public or Tribal APS or adult services agency
• Begin employment within 12 months of MSW graduation
• Complete all service within 36 months

Graduates are responsible for securing their own employment. Repayment of the stipend is required if the service obligation is not met.

Additional Program Components

• Participation in a 1.5 unit APS-focused seminar and monthly training enhancements
• Completion of required virtual trainings, surveys, and program meetings coordinated by SJSU
• Ongoing mentorship and career development support

Application Process

Applications for the Academic Year 2026/2027 are now closed.

Applications typically open in late spring (March or April) for the following academic year. Students must complete the AAS program application, interview, and be verified in a qualifying placement prior to award notification. 

If you have any questions or would like to be notified of upcoming opportunities related to this training program, please let us know by filling out the Information Request Form.

Important Financial Aid Information

Please note that the AAS stipend is awarded as part of your overall financial aid package, not in addition to it. This means that receiving the stipend may impact your total aid eligibility for the academic year.

We strongly encourage all applicants to consult with the Cal Poly Humboldt Financial Aid Office to understand how receiving the stipend may affect other awards, including grants, loans, and work-study eligibility.

Contact

Jamie Jensen, MSW, PhD
Professor, AAS Program Coordinator
Department of Social Work
Cal Poly Humboldt

Email: jlk45@humboldt.edu Or schedule a meeting

For students who are currently employed in tribal or county social services or plan to work in Child Welfare after graduation there are several stipends that may be available to you.  Under these projects, students receive financial support during their course of studies which must be paid back via post-graduation employment in the field. Learn more about CA Title IV-E Projects.

Cal Poly Humboldt Scholarships & Grants

Social Work Faculty Tribute Scholarship

The Social Work Faculty Tribute Scholarship is awarded to qualified candidates who will be pursuing a baccalaureate or master's degree in social work, have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5, be enrolled full time and be of junior standing or above. Preference is given to graduates of Humboldt County high schools who meet financial need. 

MSW Distributed Learning Scholarships

Offers several scholarships for the Distributed Learning MSW Program.  Applications will be sent out to current Distributed Learning students in the Spring semester.

Edith and Adolph Pederson Scholarship

Awarded to a resident of Humboldt County, and who is enrolled full time and is a participant in the Educational Opportunity Program . Apply through the Cal Poly Humboldt Scholarship Website.

Marion Diller Social Work Scholarship

The purpose of this scholarship is to help support a graduate student in the Social Work Department pursuing a degree with a public school based internship. Recipient must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and demonstrate financial need as determined by the FAFSA. Awards and amounts are estimated based on funding and are subject to change. Apply through the Cal Poly Humboldt Scholarship Website.

External Scholarships & Grants

Humboldt Area Foundation + Wild Rivers Community Foundation’s regional hub for scholarship

Scholarship Finder is Humboldt Area Foundation + Wild Rivers Community Foundation’s regional hub for scholarships. Scholarship Finder is home to not only the HAF+WRCF Universal Application, but highlights many additional scholarship opportunities for students. 

The HAF+WRCF Universal Application is one application for nearly 200 scholarship opportunities. The Universal Application opens in mid-January each year, with an early March deadline.

Women’s Re-Entry Scholarship

Cal Poly Humboldt women re-entry students (returning or have returned after a minimum of a 5-year absence). Must demonstrate financial aid and have a GPA of at least 3.0.

Enrolled full-time in upper division or graduate level courses and a resident of Humboldt, Trinity, or Del Norte County

Doris Buffett Independence Scholar Grant

To be eligible to apply for this scholarship, the applicant must be a woman who is a direct survivor of intimate partner abuse. While we abhor abuse from any source, our effort is in assisting those women who are survivors of partner abuse.

William Randolph Hearst Endowed Fellowship for Minority Students

To be eligible to apply for this scholarship, the applicant must be a minority student and must be able to participate in a Hearst Fellowship internship. During the internship, the intern will undertake research, writing, logistical, and administrative support for PSI’s leadership activities, public programs, and convenings.

The Verne LaMarr Lyons Memorial MSW Scholarships

Awarded to master’s degree candidates in social work who demonstrate an interest in or have experience with health/mental health practice and have a commitment to working in the African American communities.

The Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Foundation

This award is for women 17 years of age or older. Women must be mothers with minor children, enrolled in school for skills training, ESL, GED, a technical or vocational career, an associate degree, a first bachelor’s degree, or a professional master’s or doctoral degree. They must be enrolled in an accredited program for the school year and be in a low-income bracket.

The National Association of Social Workers California Chapter

Offers multiple scholarships for Native American undergraduate and graduate students who are residents of California.

Must be a member of NASW, or join to apply.

Soroptimist Women’s Live Your Dream Awards

Soroptimist's Live Your Dream Awards program is a unique education award for women who provide the primary financial support for their families. The Live Your Dream Awards give women the resources they need to improve their education, skills and employment prospects. 

25 Scholarships for Social Work Students

This article on Psychology.org outlines 25 scholarships for social work students.

IHS Scholarship Program

The IHS Scholarship Program provides qualified American Indian and Alaska Native health professions students an opportunity to establish an educational foundation for each stage of your pre-professional careers.  

Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund

The Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund provides financial support for students who are active and emerging organizers in progressive movements for liberation, self-determination and social and economic justice in their communities. These need-based scholarships are awarded to students who are enrolled at a college or university or in a trade or technical program, and have financial need.

Consuelo W. Gosnell Memorial Scholarship

The Consuelo W. Gosnell Memorial Scholarship is awarded to master's degree candidates in social work who have demonstrated a commitment to working with, or who have a special affinity with, American Indian/Alaska Native and Hispanic/Latino populations. Candidates who have demonstrated a commitment to working with public or voluntary nonprofit agencies or with local grassroots groups in the United States are also eligible.  

To apply, students must be a member of NASW and have applied to, or have been accepted into, an accredited MSW program (payment of the award will be contingent on the full admission of the candidate into the program).  In addition, students must have the potential for completing an MSW program and have a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 or above. 

California Society for Clinical Social Work Jannette Alexander Scholarship

The Jannette Alexander Foundation for Clinical Social Work is looking for applicants in their second or final year of the MSW program with exemplary clinical skills/ aptitude. Selected students will be awarded with a scholarship and a one year free membership to CSCSW, and will be featured on the CSCSW website. 

Native Forward Scholars Fund Scholarship Finder

We provide financial support for American Indians and Alaska Natives seeking higher education, and support them in attaining undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees. We partner with Tribes, the federal government, foundations, corporations, and individuals to ensure the growth and sustainability of scholarships. 

AAUW Fellowships and Grants

Since 1888, AAUW has been one of the largest funders of women’s graduate education, investing in women who go on to change the world. 

Fellowships

SAMHSA Minority Fellowship Program

MFP fellowships are open to people pursuing graduate degrees in various fields of behavioral health. Through eight national behavioral health organizations selected by SAMHSA to administer the program, approximately 400 MFP fellows receive educational awards and training each year under the program. 

Internship Assistance for Social Work Students

Based on participation in social work field experience and status as a social work student who is not receiving a CalSWEC-related stipend.

Contact: Cal Poly Humboldt Social Work Department

The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans

This award is for 30 new Americans, immigrants or children of immigrants, who are pursuing graduate school in the U.S. Each fellowship supports one to two years of graduate study in any field and in any advanced degree-granting program in the United States.

Loans

Bill Raskob Foundation Educational Loan Program

Description: The Bill Raskob Foundation offers educational loans at no interest to U.S. citizens enrolled in an accredited institution of higher education for the upcoming school year. Repayment of loans begins six months after graduation.

Loan Repayment/Forgiveness

National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Loan Repayment Program

Description: The NHSC Loan Repayment Program is a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and works to offer loan repayment to social workers for a two-year commitment in a shortage area, and who are licensed in the state they plan to serve. The Loan Repayment Program offers funding based upon the need of the community in which a provider works.

California Department of Healthcare Access and Information

These loan forgiveness programs are only for people who are providing mental health services. The HCAI loan forgiveness programs have several options. 

Indian Health Services

The IHS Loan Repayment Program (LRP) assists health professionals working as IHS clinicians repay their eligible health profession education loans — up to $50,000 — in exchange for an initial two-year service commitment to practice in health facilities serving American Indian and Alaska Native communities.