Residency, Tuition, and Fees

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

Undergraduate tuition and fees for 2006-2007 were $5,985 for full-time resident students and $21,283 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 2007-2008 are expected to be approximately $9,414 for full-time DAY or ADVANCED STANDING students. Nonresident full-time students are charged approximately $22,086 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 spread over 11 consecutive quarters and averages almost 7 credits per quarter. The Extended Degree Program is self-supporting; therefore, students pay for each credit they take. Tuition for the academic year 2007-2008 is expected to be $423 per credit. There are additional fees of approximately $900 for the year. The tuition and fee schedule is established annually by the state legislature or the UW Board of Regents, and the rate usually increases annually.

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 your program. Additionally, BASW and MSW students are assessed a course fee of $50 per quarter when registering for each practicum course.

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.

An essential element of a plan to pay for school includes applying for financial aid through the UW Office of Student Financial Aid. A critical part of this process is 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: 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. Please 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 Undergraduate 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/index.shtml.

BASW students who have completed the first year in the program (junior year) are eligible for the Marjorie Jones Scholarship. This scholarship, providing one quarter of resident tuition, is for qualifying BASW seniors who apply during the spring quarter of their junior year. Eligible BASW students may request application materials from the Admissions Office at the School of Social Work.

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/roles/student/index.html

We encourage all applicants to make a broad search for funding. The Grants and Funding Information Service 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. Only applicants who have been accepted for study at the School will be considered for tuition fellowships, with a priority given to first-year students.

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.

You should submit your fellowship application, with other application materials or under separate cover, by April 1, 2008. Please send the letter to the School of Social Work Admissions Office addressed to Chair, School of Social Work Scholarship Committee.

Social Work Scholars Program

The goal of the Social Work Scholars Program is to increase access to higher education by decreasing the financial burden placed on students. These awards are available to support outstanding students working to complete their degrees in social work. While financial need will be considered, it is not the final determinant for students awarded a Social Work Scholars Award.

To apply for this award:
1. Submit the FAFSA to the federal processor by the due date.
2. Address an application letter to the Chair of the Scholarship Committee. The application letter (two pages) should address the following areas as applicable:

• Your work with disadvantaged populations
• Your coming from a disadvantaged background
• Your involvement with public social service programs
• Any evidence of your achievement in the face of adversity
• Your family history of limited access to education
• Any information that supports your potential and unique profile for study in social work
• A concise statement (no more than one paragraph) of your professional goals including your preferred area of practice and the population(s) or fields of practice you hope to specialize in.

You should submit your Scholars Program application, with the other application materials or under separate cover, by April 1, 2008. Please send the letter to the School of Social Work Admissions Office addressed to Chair, School of Social Work Scholarship Committee.

Employment as a Student Information Specialist

The Admissions Office in the School of Social Work employs one first-year MSW student to help with outreach and recruitment, with a focus on underrepresented students in the School. This student information specialist (SIS) is responsible for recruiting applicants of color and applicants with a disability to the School’s undergraduate and MSW programs, and for providing technical assistance to all applicants throughout the application process. The SIS plays a supportive role in retention of targeted applicants/students in the School. This is an academic-year position that can be renewed for the summer quarter upon evaluation.

Specific duties include making presentations and conducting outreach activities, maintaining individual contacts with undergraduate and MSW applicants, initiating and developing new efforts to support the goals of the SSW Admissions/Outreach program, and participating in committees and groups that impact the program’s goals.

The successful applicant must be an entering MSW student willing to commit to work during quarter breaks and the summer between the first and second year (if applicable). She or he must have experience working with and targeting communities of color and people with a disability. The SIS must display excellent written and oral communication skills and be comfortable with public speaking. The SIS should also be a self-starter who brings strong teamwork skills and problem-solving abilities. The applicant must be available to work 20 hours per week including evenings and weekends. A valid driver’s license is required, as is the ability to lift, carry, and setup the School’s display materials (approximately 50 pounds and 4’ tall).

The student information specialist is supported in accordance with the provisions of the Academic Student Employee Contract between the University of Washington and GSEAC/UAW, which is found at www.washington.edu/admin/hr/laborrel/contracts/uaw/addons/index.html.

To be considered for the position, you must submit a letter of interest and résumé by April 1, 2008. Please direct all correspondence to the Recruitment Coordinator, School of Social Work Admissions Office.

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 www.washington.edu/admin/hr/laborrel/contracts/uaw/addons/index.html.We hope to make the selection for all positions by June 2008.

To be considered for a Research Fellowship, you must submit a letter of interest and résumé by April 1, 2008. 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 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 computing-related 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.

Detailed job descriptions are sent to all admitted MSW students. If you’d like more information before applying, please contact Cynthia Riche, Director of Information Technology, at richec@u.washington.edu. Please apply only after you have been accepted as a student. To be considered for a position, you must send your résumé, cover letter, and at least three letters of reference (via email attachment only) by May 15, 2008. Please direct your application materials to Cynthia Riche at richec@u.washington.edu.

Educational Assistance for 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.

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.