Scholarships

Department of Social Work

Click on the following links for more information

  • Claude Green Jr. Memorial Scholarship

    This scholarship is dedicated to Claude Greene, Jr.'s memory. Claude was an artist at heart, although he worked as a contractor. He was particularly skilled in small remodeling projects turning visions into reality. Despite facing numerous challenges, Claude remained a positive and humorous person who was always willing to make people laugh. 


    The scholarship will be awarded annually to a student who is currently enrolled in the ETSU Bachelors or Masters in Social Work program and has a demonstrated financial need. Preference will be given to first-generation college students and/or those who have a strong interest in social justice advocacy work. The scholarship award will be divided into two equal installments of $500, which will cover the two semesters of the academic year.

    Click here to apply.

  • Michael G. Johnston Academic Scholarship

    Open to students in the Social Work program. Strong academic performance, a desire to stay in the area after graduation, and students who are in-state or live in a bordering county will be given priority. Financial need will be considered. Award will be split between 2, $500 installments, covering the 2 semesters of the academic year.

    Click here to apply.

  • Paul Bashea Williams Scholarship

    The Paul Bashea Williams Scholarship is designed to provide the educational benefits of a diverse student body to the entire university. These benefits include cross-cultural understanding, helping break down racial stereotypes, enabling students to better understand people of different races, preparing students for entry into a diverse workforce and society, cultivating leaders with legitimacy in the eyes of the citizenry, and promoting a robust exchange of ideas. For this scholarship, race-neutral alternatives do not suffice.

    The scholarship will be awarded once a year to a student enrolled in the ETSU Bachelors or Masters in Social Work program. Recipient must have a minimum GPA of 3.0. Recipient will receive mentoring from Paul Williams, as arranged by the Department.

    Click here to apply.

  • Michael Phillips Memorial Scholarship

    This scholarship was established by Michael's father, family, and friends to honor Michael's career in social work. It is open to all social work students who are graduates of Unicoi County High School.

    Click here to apply.

  • Davis Murphy Scholarship

     

    Barbara Murphy Brooks, in honor of her parents, Rush W. and Celma Davis Murphy, has generously set up a fund for the ETSU Department of Social Work to award four annual scholarships to students.

    Click here to apply.

  • Jim Wahlberg Dean's Scholarship

    Dr. Patty Gibbs-Wahlberg, a former BSW Program Director at ETSU, in cooperation with the Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors (BPD), established a student scholar award in honor of her late husband, Dr. Jim Wahlberg, the former MSW Program Director at ETSU who gave longstanding service to and leadership in social work and social work education at local, regional, and national levels before his untimely death in 1999.

    The award includes round trip airfare to the BPD annual spring conference so the recipient can present his or her essay on Social Justice, Equality, and Empowerment. The award recipient also receives a one night hotel stay at the conference, a $250 honorarium, and recognition with a plaque at the Annual Recognition Luncheon held during the conference.

    In addition to the scholar award to present the essay, the recipient is eligible for a full scholarship to pursue the master's degree in social work at the University of Michigan School of Social Work. To be chosen for this award is a prestigious honor, as well as an opportunity for full funding to pursue an MSW degree. Additional information and applications are available on the BPD website. To navigate to the information select the "About" section, then "Awards" (located on the left navigational menu).

  • Ellyn Lancaster Scholarship

    This scholarship was established in 2013 to assist non-traditional aged "women in transition" to pursue a Bachelors of Social Work (BSW) or a Masters of Social Work (MSW)

    Scholarship Amount: $2,400 one-time award for one year

    Eligibility Requirements:

    1. Residency Requirement: Washington County, Greene County, or Sullivan County
    2. Education Requirement: Returning adult student: high school graduate, GED recipient, or current college student
    3. Field of Study: Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) or Masters of Social Work (MSW)
    GPA Minimum: Not applicable
    4. College/Enrollment Requirement: Full-time enrollment at East Tennessee State University pursuing a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) or Masters of Social Work (MSW) degree.
    5. Must demonstrate financial need

    Application and more information: Through East Tennessee Foundation at www.etf.org/scholarships

  • Patty Gibbs-Wahlberg Scholarship

    Patty Gibbs-Wahlberg Scholarship recognizes student scholarship, service and leadership. Awards of $3,000, $2,000, and $1,000 are presented each year. The first place winner receives an all-expenses-paid trip to present her or his work during the Student Session of the Association of Baccalaureate Program Directors conference held each Spring.

    Scholarship Amount: Awards of $3,000, $2,000, and $1,000 are presented each year.

    Requirements:

    1. Scholarship
    2. Leadership
    3. Service
    4. Career Plans
    5. Must be a Phi Alpha member to apply

    This scholarship is sponsored by Phi Alpha National Honor Society; more information regarding the scholarship and application process can be found on their website.

  • Barbara G. Kirkpatrick Scholarship

    Established to assist single parent students pursuing a degree at East Tennessee State University.

    Scholarship Amount: $2,400 award, over two semesters

    Eligibility Requirements:

    1. Resident of "25 county service area" per East Tennessee Foundation or Bristol, TN/VA
    2. GPA of 2.5 or more
    3. Full-time enrollment
    4. Financial Need
    5. Single Parent
    6. U.S. Citizen

    Application and more information: Through East Tennessee Foundation at www.etf.org/scholarships 

  • Mina McVeigh Legacy Scholarship

    This need-based scholarship is available to students enrolled in the Master of Social Work (MSW) program. It is intended to support those who demonstrate financial need while pursuing graduate studies in social work. The total award amount is $1,000, disbursed in two $500 installments across the fall and spring semesters of the academic year.

    Application comming soon for the 2026-2027 year.

     

  • ETSU Scholarship Office

    Click here to visit the ETSU Scholarship Office.