Tuition and Financial Aid

VCU reserves the right to adjust tuition costs as necessary. The VCU Board of Trustees sets official fees in June/July of each year. Students may be responsible for purchasing books and other materials for various courses throughout the program.

Is This a Good Investment?

Graduates from this program most often find employment as social workers. Nationally, the average social worker salary can range from $33,000 to upwards of $65,000¹. Earning potential for social workers can vary based on experience, location, and credentials. We encourage prospective students to research and learn about the compensation for different Social Work career paths.

Mean Salaries of Virginia Social Workers

How Will You Pay Tuition?

Students have a variety of options to fund their tuition. Some of the most frequently used funding options are included below, but we encourage you to consult with the Financial Aid Office and/or a financial advisor when determining the best options available.

Loans

The federal government provides loan options for graduate students. Eligibility for these loans is not affected by household income. The VCU Financial Aid Office works with two types of U.S. federal government loans:

• Federal Direct Loans: This is generally the lowest cost loan available, for up to $20,500 each academic year. You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, take at least six credits per semester, and submit the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to qualify.
• Federal Graduate PLUS Loans: If you need to borrow more, then a Graduate PLUS loan can generally cover the remainder. You will need to submit the application for the Federal Direct loan prior to applying for the Federal Graduate PLUS Loans.

If federal loans are unavailable or insufficient, VCU’s Office of Financial Aid can help you explore private or alternative education loans. Unlike federal loans, private loans do not require a FAFSA to apply. Private loan approval is generally based on creditworthiness and ability to repay. Some students may need to apply with a credit-worthy co-signer. Interest rates, grace periods, repayment options and fees are determined by the lender and can vary considerably from lender to lender; generally, private or alternative education loans charge higher interest rates than federal loans.

Child Welfare Stipend Program at VCU

Preparing social work practitioners to engage families, support children, and foster connections.

Full-time M.S.W. students accepted into this program receive a $10,000 stipend per academic year. In exchange for the stipend and child welfare training, the stipend recipient has a work payback requirement which requires them to work at a local department of social services within the Commonwealth of Virginia, in foster care or adoption, for one calendar year for each academic year the stipend was received. The Child Welfare Stipend Program is a partnership between the Virginia Department of Social Services and Virginia Commonwealth University. This specialized training program, funded through Title IV-E of the Social Security Act, prepares social work students for a career in public child welfare.

For questions about the program, contact Naomi Reddish, Child Welfare Stipend Program coordinator, at cwstipend@vcu.edu.

Who Is Eligible?

Current and prospective full-time M.S.W. students and BSW Seniors at VCU who plan to complete their field placement in Virginia and work in Virginia following graduation.

What Are The Requirements While Completing An M.S.W?

• Be a full-time M.S.W. student.
• Complete during a Fall-Spring Term (cannot be during a Summer).
• Maintain a 3.0 grade point average.
• Complete two Child Welfare courses, Child Welfare Policy and a Child Welfare Practice elective
• One field practicum at a local department of social services and one field practicum in a child-serving setting.
• Complete VDSS new worker training and attend child welfare focused workshops held throughout the academic school year, which may require in-person attendance and travel to Richmond, Virginia.

What Are The Requirements After Graduation?

• Commit to work at a local department of social service within the Commonwealth of Virginia one (1) calendar year for each academic year the stipend was received.
• Secure qualifying full-time employment within six (6) months after graduation.

How To Apply?

Contact cwstipend@vcu.edu or learn more about the program here.