Stipend Information

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Oklahoma Developmental Disabilities Council MSW Stipend
Oklahoma Veterans' Administration Hospital MSW Stipend
Child Welfare Professional Enhancement Program (CWPEP)

Oklahoma Developmental Disabilities Council MSW Stipend

Purpose

The Master of Social Work (MSW) stipend is designed to give experiential learning opportunities in the field of disabilities to graduate social work students.  Each year, the Oklahoma Developmental Disabilities Council awards stipends to up to eight highly qualified students placed at agencies that provide programs and services to people with disabilities.

Eligibility Criteria

Each applicant must be a graduate student who is currently enrolled at the University of Oklahoma School of Social Work.   Preference will be given to students who have previous experience working with people with disabilities or have unique life experiences involving people with disabilities.  Students paid for their practicum work through federal funding sources or receiving a stipend through the Child Welfare Professional Enhancement Program are not eligible for this stipend. Stipend recipients must complete their practicum at an agency that provides services to persons with disabilities.

Total Stipends

Eight stipends will be awarded during the fiscal year. Students will receive a stipend of $2500 for working 240 hours and completing the required portfolio.  Students may receive the stipend only one semester while pursuing their MSW.

Selection Criteria

Applicants will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

-	Evidence of potential to build inclusive communities
-	Interest in a career in disabilities

Application Materials

Applicants must submit the following:

-	Application for MSW Stipend (OKDHS form MSW-1)
-	Two letters of recommendation, one from a faculty member and the other from an individual with whom the applicant has worked or has known.
-	A resume
-	Personal essay (see the MSW-1 for instructions)
-	Enrollment verification

Application Deadline

See Application for MSW Stipend (OKDHS form MSW-1) for current deadlines.

Expectations for Agencies

Agencies in which students receiving the ODDC stipend are placed must provide challenging and well-supervised practicum experiences that give students the opportunity for community involvement and/or a major role in planning or implementing a special project.  Agencies must provide a brief description of programs and services and specify the activities in which students participate.  Examples of practicum activities include intakes; individual, group, and family work with clients; community meetings or activities; and staff development and training. 

How to apply

If you think that you may qualify for this stipend based on your assigned placement, please complete the Application for MSW Stipend. See the link above to access this application.  Completed applications forms and supporting documents must be submitted to

Lathonya Shivers, Director of Planning and Grants Management
Oklahoma Developmental Disabilities Council
2401 N.W. 23rd Street, Suite 74
Oklahoma City, OK 73107

For more information see the Master of Social Work Stipend Project. See the Requirements of ODDC Stipend recipients for additional information on requirements of students awarded the ODDC MSW stipend.

Purpose

The Master of Social Work (MSW) stipend provides financial enhancement for social work practicum students in their final year of social work study. Each year, a committee from the Oklahoma City VA Medical Center awards stipends to highly qualified students planning a practicum experience at the site. This stipend is available only to students who have been selected for practicum placement by VA social work staff and only to students in their final or concentration year.

Eligibility Criteria

Each applicant must be a currently enrolled concentration year graduate student at the University of Oklahoma School of Social Work and must have been selected for placement by VA social work staff. Preference is given to students who have a long-term interest in and commitment to working in medical settings and with the Veterans’ Administration. Students receiving financial support from any other federal grant program are not eligible for this stipend. Stipend recipients may only receive the stipend for one semester.

Selection Criteria

Applicants are evaluated based on the following criteria:

-	Commitment to and interest in a career with the Veterans’ Administration
-	Interest in a career in hospital-based social work
-	Academic record

How to apply

The following documents must be submitted to the OU School of Social Work Practicum Office by the deadline:

-	A personal essay indicating interest in social work with the population served by the VA Hospital
-	Two letters of recommendation, one from a faculty member and the other from an individual who has worked with the applicant or knows the applicant well and can attest to the applicant’s merit
-	Official transcripts of all university study

Application Deadline: December 1, 2007

The Child Welfare Professional Enhancement Program, "CWPEP", offers students the opportunity to make a commitment to serve Oklahoma families and children at risk of abuse and/or neglect. Applications are available to all graduate and undergraduate social work majors who are U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents of the U.S.

This program is funded by the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS), Children and Family Services Division, through Title IV-E of the Social Security Act.

To learn more about this opportunity please visit the CWPEP site.