Funding Your Education
M.S.W. Program
Funding your education is a critical component of graduate school. To potentially help defray the costs of your graduate education, both the University and the School of Social Work offer a variety of funding opportunities. To view the most recent P.S.U. tuition information click on the tuition link.
Loans
Two different types of educational loans are available through the University: Stafford Loan (Guaranteed Student Loan) and SLS (Supplemental Loans to Students). College Work-Study is also available to eligible students. Further information and applications can be obtained from the PSU University's Student Financial Aid Office, 176 Neuberger Hall, (503-725-3461).
Oregon Laurels Graduate Tuition Remission Program
The Oregon Laurels Graduate Tuition Remission Program provides tuition remission to academically qualified applicants on a competitive basis. The tuition remissions are available to admitted graduate students at Portland State University and to students entering a Portland State graduate program from other institutions of higher education. They are annual awards of tuition credit equivalent to the instruction portion of graduate fees. Minority students are encouraged to apply. This program is based on available resources. Information and applications for the Oregon Laurels Graduate Tuition Remission Program may be obtained from the Office of Graduate Studies and Research, Portland State University, 111 Cramer Hall, (503-725-8410) or at the OGS website.
Child Development and Rehabilitation Center Traineeships
Traineeship funds are available for students receiving their field instruction in the Social Work Unit at the Oregon Health Sciences University Child Development and Rehabilitation Center.
Veterans Administration Stipends
The Veterans Administration offers stipends to students in their second year of field instruction in the School of Social Work master's program who are assigned to a Veterans Administration facility for practicum.
Employed Social Worker Option
The School offers an organized program of study that enables employed human service workers to complete the Master of Social Work degree and satisfy one year of the practicum requirement in their place of employment. The place of employment must reassign the student to work 16 hours a week in activities which are (1) consistent with their practice curriculum and year in field and (2) different from their regular job. An applicant who is interested in the Employed Social Worker option is encouraged to discuss this option with the School's Director of Field Education, Ellen Masterson (503-725-5019).
Graduate Education Program with the Child Welfare Partnership
The Graduate Education Program is a collaborative effort between the School of Social Work at Portland State University and the State Offices for Services to Children and Families. The program assists current DHS employees in obtaining their Master of Social Work and prepares other interested students for a career in child welfare. The program provides tuition assistance and educational support of up to $6000 per year. Students selected for the program participate in child welfare related field placements, child welfare courses and a specialized seminar. The students agree to work for DHS upon graduation. For additional information and application, please call the Coordinator of Title IV-E Students at (503) 725-5355.
Graduate Assistantships
Graduate Assistantships provide remission of the instructional fee
portion of tuition and a salary on a regular periodic basis as compensation
for the service provided each term of the appointment. There are three
types of assistantships: teaching, research, and administrative. You
must be a full-time graduate student, regularly admitted to a graduate
degree program, and in good academic standing to begin an assistantship.
Students are free to apply for assistantships in any department, not
only in the department to which they are admitted. Students wishing
to apply for graduate assistantships must correspond directly with
the department offering the assistantship. The Office of Graduate
Studies posts assistantship
announcements as requested.
Student Employment through the Regional Research Institute
Specific research projects at the Regional Research Institute may provide paid research opportunities for students enrolled in the Master of Social Work program. All work opportunities are posted at the School of Social Work's website. Students typically work 10-12 hours per week at a set hourly wage.
