Residency, Tuition, and Fees

An applicant’s status as a resident or nonresident of Washington determines the per-credit fee each student pays. Unless available information clearly indicates that an applicant is a legal resident of the state of Washington, the University assumes nonresidency status. To be eligible to pay resident fees, students must have been domiciled in the state for one full year before registration. You can obtain further information about residency policies from the University of Washington, Resident Classification Office, 209 Schmitz Hall, Box 355850, Seattle, WA 98195 or by calling 206-543-4188.

Undergraduate tuition and fees for 2009–2010 are $7,125 for full-time resident students and $23,800 for full-time nonresident students. Full-time tuition rates apply to students who take between 10 and 18 credits per quarter. Students pay a per-credit charge up to the full-time rate and pay a surcharge for credits beyond 18.

Graduate tuition and fees for 2009–2010 are approximately $10,160 for full-time Day Program or Advanced Standing Program students. Nonresident full-time students are charged $23,500 annually. Students who take more than 18 credits in one quarter pay for each additional credit. Students who take fewer than 7 credits are not considered full time and pay per credit.

For the MSW Extended Degree Program there is no difference in tuition costs or fees between residents and nonresidents. This program is usually spread over 11 consecutive quarters, requires a minimum of 75 credits, and averages almost 7 credits per quarter. The Extended Degree Program is administered through UW Educational Outreach and is self-supporting; therefore, students pay for each credit they take. Because the program depends upon student fees, enrolled students cannot transfer from the Extended Degree Program to the Day Program. Students in the Extended Degree Program are not eligible for the Washington State Employees’ tuition exemption program. The tuition and fee schedule is established annually in August by the state legislature and the UW Board of Regents. The rate usually increases about 7 percent annually. For autumn quarter 2009, our per credit fee was $485.

Health Sciences and Practicum Fees

The School of Social Work follows the University of Washington Health Sciences immunization policy. This policy requires that before entering practicum, all BASW and MSW students must complete a review of their immunization history at the University Immunization Clinic and obtain all required immunizations. This will ensure that all students and their clients are adequately protected. The Health Sciences fee, currently $275, is assessed only once during the program. Additionally, BASW and MSW students are assessed a course fee of $50 per quarter when registering for each practicum course.

Course and Activity Fees

The School of Social Work has two course fees. These course fees are currently $30 for SOC W 510, Introduction to Social Work Practice, and $50 per quarter for foundation and advanced practicum, SOC W 524 and 525.

The School also assesses an activity fee to cover costs associated with extra-curricular programs and opportunities for students, including workshops, guest speakers, funding for conferences and trainings, as well as food and facilities costs for events such as orientation. Fees collected are earmarked by cohort to ensure that the monies are spent for each cohort in proportion to the amount contributed by cohort students. The fee for 2010-11 has not yet been determined but is expected to be about $75 annually, assessed in fall quarter.

Student Financial Aid

The faculty and staff of the School understand the financial pressure students face while attending school. The School has developed some resources for students; however, the need of incoming students far outstrips the resources available. We encourage all students to identify other funding sources to meet the cost of attending school.

All students should apply for financial aid through the UW Office of Student Financial Aid by filing the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) by mid-February. Please contact the UW Office of Student Financial Aid for specific dates and information: http://www.washington.edu/students/osfa/, Schmitz Hall Room 105, or 206-543-6101. The FAFSA allows you to qualify for need-based financial aid. Many other aid/scholarship programs require a FAFSA report as a part of the application process. Submit your FAFSA by the priority deadline even though you will not have your admission decision by that date.

A number of sources are available to begin a search for additional funding. Please consider inquiring about scholarship programs at your job; through professional, civic, educational, or religious groups; and at your local public library. You can begin a general search online at www.finaid.org, www.collegeboard.com, and http://fastweb.monster.com.

Aid for BASW Students

Applicants for an undergraduate degree who have applied for financial aid through the FAFSA process may qualify for loans, work-study, or grant aid, depending upon the assessment of their financial need by the Office of Student Financial Aid. Underrepresented ethnic/racial minority students may find additional information through the University’s Office of Minority Affairs.

Students should also inquire at the Undergraduate Scholarship Office (USO) in Mary Gates Hall, Room 120. The USO provides UW students with information about many of the local and national merit-based scholarships, fellowships, and grants. Or visit http://www.washington.edu/students/ugrad/scholar/.

BASW students who have completed the first year in the program (junior year) can be considered for the Marjorie Jones or Nancy Post Scholarships. These scholarships provide one quarter of resident tuition for qualifying BASW seniors who apply during the spring quarter of their junior year. Application information and deadlines are announced to current BASW students each year during winter or spring quarter.

Aid for MSW Students

MSW applicants filing the FAFSA can be considered for loans and work-study from federal and state sources. The federal and state student loan programs represent the major source of funding for graduate students. The School of Social Work has options for MSW students from departmental sources. The financial need figure calculated through the FAFSA process is used to consider applicants for tuition fellowships and other scholarship opportunities.

The student information specialist position, pre-MSW fellowships, and computer lab consultant positions offer students the opportunity to receive funding while contributing to research or administrative functions within the School. Please read instructions below to submit your application to the tuition fellowship, pre-MSW fellowship, or Social Work Scholars Awards. Some students have identified research assistantship or staff assistantship positions in other academic or administrative units at the UW. While there is no centralized coordination of these announcements, you can inquire about open positions by contacting the department or office that interests you. You can find further information by visiting the website maintained by the UW Human Resources office:http://www.washington.edu/admin/hr/jobs/student_empl_links.

We encourage all applicants to make a broad search for funding. The Grants and Funding Information Service (GFIS) Library is an excellent resource for UW graduate students. Prospective students may also find useful links and information. GFIS is located in Suzzallo Library in Room 167 and on the web at www.lib.washington.edu/Gfis. Underrepresented racial/ethnic minority students are encouraged to visit the Graduate Opportunity and Minority Achievement Program website for additional sources: www.grad.washington.edu/gomap.

MSW Tuition Fellowships

MSW Tuition Fellowships are used in part to help ensure a diverse student body. Each year the Scholarship Committee determines the number of tuition fellowships to be awarded from the funds available for student support. Priority is given

To apply for the tuition fellowships, applicants must complete the following:
1. File the FAFSA form with the federal processor by the due date.
2. Address the tuition fellowships application letter to the Chair of the Scholarship Committee. The application letter (no longer than two pages) should address:

• Working with disadvantaged populations
• Coming from a disadvantaged background
• Involvement with public social service programs
• Evidence of achievements in the face of adversity
• A family history of limited access to education
• Other information that supports your potential and unique profile for study in social work.

3. Write a clear, concise statement (one paragraph maximum) of your professional goals, including your preferred area of practice and the population(s) or field of practice you hope to specialize in.

Please submit your fellowship application letter by April 1. Send the letter to the School of Social Work Admissions Office addressed to Chair, School of Social Work Scholarship Committee. Please submit your application letter for this fellowship by the deadline noted even though you will not have your admission decision by that date.

Social Work Pre-Master’s Research Fellowship

Master’s students who are selected for Research Fellowships are assigned to current faculty research projects in the School of Social Work. Research fellows work approximately 20 hours per week, scheduled by the student and the researcher, considering the individual needs of the project and the scheduling commitments of the MSW curriculum. We expect between two and four positions to be available annually to students starting the MSW program.

Applicants for the Research Fellowships should have documented classroom knowledge or working experience in one or more of the following areas: managing project data, analyzing data using SPSS, coding data, serving as an agency/community/client liaison, conducting focus groups and/or intake and follow-up interviews, conducting literature searches and writing annotated bibliographies, communicating effectively in writing using APA 5 format, and providing organizational support on projects requiring attention to detail and confidentiality. Additionally candidates must be able to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, have good interpersonal skills, and work well independently. Prior research experience is desirable.

Pre-MSW research fellows will be supported in accordance with the provisions of the Academic Student Employee Contract between the University of Washington and GSEAC/UAW, which is found at http://www.washington.edu/admin/hr/laborrel/contracts/uaw/addons/index.html. We hope to make the selection for all positions by June.

To be considered for a Research Fellowship, you must submit a letter of interest and résumé by April 1. Please direct all questions to Director of Admissions, School of Social Work Admissions Office.

MSW STUDENT COMPUTER LAB CONSULTANT POSITIONS

The School of Social Work (SSW) has a computer lab available for students’ use. While the number varies every fall quarter, we usually have up to four non-work-study student consultant positions available on the Computing Services staff to students in the School’s MSW program.

Compensation for these positions includes a monthly stipend, tuition waiver, and insurance benefits.

These positions require working 20 hours a week, and you must be available to work shifts on weekdays, weekend days, and weekday evenings until 9 p.m.

In brief, the job duties of these positions include:

• Staffing the SSW computer lab help desk
• Providing consultation and training (both one-on-one tutorials and small workshops on selected software) to students, faculty, and staff on a variety of software applications, printer questions, and other computingrelated questions,
• Helping with administrative and technical tasks related to the distribution of computing equipment and the rendering of services related to computing and media services, including inventory and other administrative tasks.

To be considered for a position, you must send:

1. Your résumé
2. cover letter, and
3. at least three letters of reference by June 19, 2010.

Please direct your application materials as attachments and/or questions replying by email to:thunt@u.washington.edu

Child Welfare Training and Advancement Program

The Child Welfare Training and Advancement Program (CWTAP) is a partnership between the state of Washington’s Children’s Administration and the School of Social Work. CWTAP affirms pride, integrity, and best practice in public child welfare by providing a specialized MSW education.  

The program offers customized field instruction in preparation for leadership in all areas of public child welfare, the opportunity to develop practice skills in a child welfare office, and quarterly educational assistance for students as they pursue their MSW. Students with no prior experience in Children’s Administration take part in a specialized field unit, while current Children’s Administration employees choose an individual field experience that broadens and deepens their knowledge and skills.

In return, graduates of CWTAP agree to work for Children’s Administration for a period roughly commensurate with the amount of time for which they received educational assistance. At the present time, this assistance covers the cost of each student’s tuition.

For any questions or concerns please contact CWTAP Student Services at (206) 616-3557.

Washington State Employees Tuition Exemption Information

The University of Washington Tuition Exemption Program, established under the authority of RCW 28B.15.558, enables a limited number of qualifying UW employees, state of Washington employees, and members of the Washington National Guard who have been admitted to the UW to have tuition waived for up to 6 credits when enrollment is on a space-available basis. Those who enroll at the UW on this basis for more than 6 credits will receive the first 6 credits free, and will pay a per-credit charge for the credits taken over 6. See http://www.washington.edu/students/reg/tuition_exempt.html for more information about this benefit. Students in the per-credit fee-based Extended Degree Program are not eligible to use this benefit for any coursework at the UW.