NYS Child Welfare Worker Incentive Scholarship Program

The NYS Child Welfare Worker Incentive Scholarship Program provides individuals who are currently employed at a New York State-licensed child welfare agency with scholarship awards to pursue an Associate’s, Bachelor’s or Master’s degree that will enhance their ability to work as a child welfare worker.

Eligibility

An applicant must:

  • be a resident of NYS and have resided in NYS for 12 continuous months prior to the beginning of the term;
  • be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen;
  • be currently employed at a voluntary not-for-profit child welfare agency in NYS licensed by the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) with at least two years of full-time or part-time experience providing either (a) direct-care services to children and families or (b) non-direct care services, such as administrative and operational support services;
  • be enrolled full time or part time in one of the following eligible undergraduate or graduate degree programs at a college or university located in NYS:
    • Criminal Justice
    • Human Services
    • Mental Health Counseling
    • Psychology
    • Public Health
    • Social Services
    • Social Work
    • Sociology
  • be in a non-default status on a student loan made under any NYS or federal education loan program or on the repayment of any NYS award;
  • be in compliance with the terms of the service condition(s) imposed by any previously received NYS award; and
  • execute a Service Contract agreeing to work full-time as a child welfare worker providing direct care services in a NYS OCFS-licensed voluntary not-for-profit child welfare agency, and reside in NYS, for five years. View the terms and conditions of the service contract.

Award Amount*

Full-time undergraduate students attending either a public or private college will receive awards equal to the average cost of attendance charged to NYS resident undergraduate students at the State University of New York or the applicant's actual eligible student loan indebtedness at the time eligibility is established, whichever is less. Awards will be reduced by the amount of other financial aid received that would duplicate the purposes of the Child Welfare Worker Scholarship program.

Full-time graduate students attending a public college will receive awards equal to the average cost of attendance charged to NYS resident graduate students at the State University of New York or actual cost of attendance, whichever is less. Awards will be reduced by the amount of other financial received that would duplicate the purposes of the Child Welfare Worker Scholarship program.

Full-time graduate students attending a private college will receive up to $20,000 for tuition, plus the average mandatory fees charged at the private institution, plus the average non-tuition cost of attendance at the institution or actual tuition, fees and non-tuition costs, whichever is less. Awards will be reduced by the amount of other financial aid received that would duplicate the purposes of the Child Welfare Worker Scholarship program.

Awards for part-time students pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree at a public or private college or university in New York State will be based on actual cost of attendance.

*Note: Any award payment received may have tax implications. Any questions regarding this should be directed to a tax professional, the Internal Revenue Service, or the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance.

Duration

A recipient of a NYS Child Welfare Worker Incentive Scholarship Program award is eligible to receive payment for up to two years if pursuing an Associate’s degree; four years, or five years if the program of study normally requires five years, if pursuing a Bachelor’s degree; or two years if pursuing a graduate degree.

Payment

To receive payments each subsequent year (after the initial application year), a recipient must annually complete the NYS Student Aid Payment Application.

How to Apply

The deadline for the NYS Child Welfare Incentive Scholarship Program has passed.

Frequently Asked Questions

View commonly asked questions pertaining to the NYS Child Welfare Worker Incentive Scholarship Program, or contact the Scholarship Unit at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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