BSW Scholarships - College of Social Work

American Indian Endowed Scholarship for Social Work Education

These scholarships were established in 1970 to support students of American Indian and Alaska Native ethnicity. These social work scholarships are made possible through a number of funding sources, including the University of Utah President’s Office; Tribal Nations and Councils; practicum agencies; the Indian Health Service; Bureau of Indian Affairs; and the Children’s Bureau of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. These scholarships were established in 1970 to support students of American Indian and Alaska Native ethnicity. These social work scholarships are made possible through a number of funding sources, including the University of Utah President’s Office; Tribal Nations and Councils; practicum agencies; the Indian Health Service; Bureau of Indian Affairs; and the Children’s Bureau of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Barry and Barbara Bank Memorial Endowed Scholarship in Social Work

This scholarship will support BSW students who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to working with individuals or organizations that help people create their own success stories. This scholarship was established in 2025 by the family and friends of Barry and Barbara.

BSW Field Fund Scholarship

Established in 2024, the BSW Field Fund Scholarship supports BSW students in the College of Social Work during their practicum field placement. This scholarship is based on need and merit.

Burt Annin Child Welfare Scholarship

Dr. Norma Harris created this annual scholarship in 2016 and began endowing it in 2018 in memory of her friend Burt Annin, an attorney and trainer at the Child Welfare League of America. This scholarship is intended to support BSW and MSW students interested in pursuing a career in child welfare social work. Strong preference is given to Title IV-E students.

BW Bastian Student Scholarship for Whole Community Care

This scholarship supports students focused on working with, but not limited to, LGBTQ+ clients and communities. The BW Bastian Foundation has supported the College of Social Work since 2008.

Chris Wellington and Beryl Peters Mental Health Scholarship

In 2017, Chris Wellington created a scholarship for BSW and MSW students who intend to work with those with mental health challenges. Ms. Wellington also chose to honor her long-time friend Beryl Peters, who supported the idea of this scholarship and whose estate gift helped make it possible.

College of Social Work Alumni Scholarship

In 1982, alumni of the College of Social Work established a 50th Anniversary Endowment to fund an ongoing scholarship in the name of the Alumni Association. The scholarship is awarded to a College of Social Work student who demonstrates leadership, contribution to the community, and commitment to the social work profession.

College of Social Work Scholarship

Each year, the College of Social Work receives contributions designated for our general scholarship fund. Established in 2005, this scholarship is awarded to College of Social Work students who demonstrate leadership, make contributions to the community, and commitment to the social work profession. The collective support of the alumni and friends who donate to this scholarship allows us to provide meaningful support to social work students at all levels.

Community Advisory Board Scholarship

The College of Social Work’s Community Advisory Board (CAB) initiated this annual scholarship in 2014, which is funded by contributions from current and former board members. This scholarship supports Bachelor of Social Work students in the College of Social Work and may occasionally be awarded to graduate students, at the discretion of the Community Advisory Board. A sub-committee of CAB members are involved in the scholarship selection process; recipients may be invited to a board meeting with CAB members.

Daniels Martinez Endowed BSW Scholarship

This annual scholarship was established in 2010 by College of Social Work alumni Debra Daniels and Kai Medina-Martinez in support of a Bachelor of Social Work student with demonstrated financial need and a minimum of a 2.7 GPA. Although the donors are graduates of the MSW Program, they were expressly interested in supporting a BSW student to recognize the importance of a bachelor’s degree and encourage the passion for service that motivates social work students. As allowed by law and University policy, preference may be given to students who are, or intend to be, focused on serving underrepresented groups and/or supporting first-generation individuals pursuing higher education. This scholarship was endowed in 2023.

Dr. Holly Grayson Endowed Scholarship

Candidates for this scholarship must be pursuing a degree in the College of Social Work and must demonstrate financial need. Although both graduate and undergraduate students may receive the scholarship, preference may be given to Master of Social Work students. This scholarship was established in 2024 by Dr. Holly Grayson.

E. Daniel & Margie Egbert Edwards American Indian Scholarship

In their decades of work at the College of Social Work, Dan and Marge Edwards dramatically improved educational opportunities for American Indians in Utah and across the country. This endowed scholarship for American Indian single parents ensures the continuation of their remarkable legacy. Recipients must be members of an American Indian Tribe recognized by the United States Government, with preference given to those with financial need. Preference is given to MSW students, but BSW students are also considered.

Eva V. Hancock Endowed Scholarship

Established in 2007 by a legacy gift from Eva V. Hancock, this scholarship supports undergraduate or graduate students interested in community leadership. Ms. Hancock earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Utah and the University of California at Berkeley. She lived her commitment to community service through her distinguished career, numerous volunteer activities, and as a charter member of the National Association of Social Workers.

Gilbert Teemley-Smith Scholarship

Dr. Amanda Barusch established this scholarship in honor of her father, Gilbert Teemley Smith. The award supports first-generation College of Social Work graduate and undergraduate students, particularly those with a strong commitment to serving the Mexican American community.

Gisella and Dan Chace Scholarship

College of Social Work alumna and social justice advocate Gisella Chace, along with her husband Dan, have contributed to annual scholarships for social work students since 2014, and officially established the Gisella and Dan Chace Scholarship in 2020. They focus on supporting first-generation students with demonstrated financial need.

Helen Tsai Scholarship

Elizabeth Tsai made a scholarship contribution in January 2015 in honor of her sister, Helen. Elizabeth explained Helen received scholarships in support of her education that enabled her to find a good job and support Elizabeth in her own quest for a degree. Elizabeth was proud to recognize and thank her sister by supporting future social workers that year, and has continued to provide scholarship support each year since. This scholarship is awarded to College of Social Work students who demonstrate leadership, make contributions to the community, and commitment to the social work profession.

Himonas Impact Scholarship

Lisa and Deno Himonas created this newly endowed scholarship in 2024 to support students who are inspired to make an impact in the community. Candidates for this scholarship must be pursuing a BSW or MSW at the University of Utah, and preference may be given (but is not required) to candidates who demonstrate financial need. Recipients should have expressed an interest in making a difference (having an impact) in their area of specialization or interest or with a particular community (mental health, substance use, suicide prevention, LGBTQ+, Hispanic, etc.).

James C. & Lucile P. Hunter Endowed Scholarship

College of Social Work students interested in international, immigrant, and refugee issues are considered for this scholarship, which was endowed by Paul and Rosemarie Hunter in memory of James C. and Lucile P. Hunter. James and Lucile both had a high regard for education, Lucille teaching school all of her life and James reentering college after his retirement as a highway patrolman for the State of Utah. College of Social Work BSW, MSW, or PhD students with an interest in one or more of the previously mentioned areas and who demonstrate need are encouraged to apply.

Julia M. Watkins Endowed Scholarship

Following two years of generously supporting annual scholarships for social work students, College of Social Work alumna Dr. Julia Watkins, along with her husband Dr. Dennis A. Watkins, established this endowed scholarship in 2021 with a gift from the Dennis A. and Julia M. Watkins Foundation. The Julia M. Watkins Endowed Scholarship supports deserving students in the BSW, MSW, or PhD programs who have demonstrated financial need.

Louise Browning Endowed Scholarship

Louise Browning was a respected faculty member and inspirational mentor at the College of Social Work for many years. She was also a beloved and respected aunt to Robert Browning Andersen, who established this endowed scholarship in 2005 in her honor. The Browning Scholarship provides support to a deserving student in the College of Social Work who demonstrates financial need.

Luke Family Scholarship

The Luke Family Scholarship was established in 2024 in tribute to Margene Luke’s parents, Dick Douglas and Marjorie Mae Luke, as well as Margene’s brother, Michael Douglas Luke. The scholarship supports undergraduate students in social work who are interested in working in the areas of aging (especially hospice) and disability care. Students must demonstrate financial need, and preference may be given to students with strong academic performance and service/volunteerism.

Mary Alice and Bennett Brown Foundation Scholarship

The Mary Alice and Bennett Brown Foundation in Atlanta, Georgia, supports underserved youth, with an emphasis on education. Leila Brown says her parents established this legacy foundation because they felt, “We have been blessed so that we may be a blessing to others.” This scholarship, established in 2022, supports undergraduate and/or graduate social work students with an emphasis in whole community care.

Maurice and Inez Warshaw Scholarship

The late Maurice Warshaw, noted Salt Lake philanthropist and civic leader, established this scholarship through an endowment in his will. The Warshaw Scholarship is awarded annually to social work students based on merit and need. Founder and chairman of the board of Grand Central Stores, Mr. Warshaw focused much of his philanthropy and community service on disability rights and issues. The Warshaw Scholarship was expanded by the family and friends following the death of Inez Warshaw in 1998.

Pro Vita Bona et Longa Scholarship

Endowed in 2024, this scholarship is given to social work students who plan to work with older adults pro vita bona et longa (“for a good and long life”), and/or are committed to pursuing a career in gerontological in social work.

Sharon Goodwill Memorial Scholarship

Established in 1994 by Wilford and Dorothy Goodwill in memory of their daughter, this endowed scholarship is awarded to students who demonstrate outstanding promise, interest, and academic excellence in the field of mental health. Sharon earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Utah, followed by a master’s degree and PhD in psychology from Utah State University.

The Okazaki Family BSW Scholarship

Kenzo Okazaki’s history with the College of Social Work precedes his birth. His grandfather has a named scholarship in the College of Social Work, our community meeting room is named after both grandparents, and his parents are long-time friends of the College—who have encouraged Kenzo to continue the family tradition of supporting social work students. This third-generation scholarship donor, along with his parents, hopes to help current BSW students achieve their academic dreams, just as his grandparents were helped with their dreams. (This scholarship is part of the For Utah Scholarships initiative.)

Williams Family BSW Scholarship

Donor John D. Williams established this scholarship in 2023 to help undergraduate social work students defray the cost of higher education. The scholarship is awarded to a BSW student with demonstrated financial need.