BLUFFTON — Bluffton University will provide up to $10,000 in financial support to social work students thanks to a grant from the Ohio Department of Higher Education, according to a press release sent Friday.
Financial assistance is available to students pursuing a master’s degree in social work who intend to pursue careers in high-need areas like substance abuse counseling and mental-health treatment starting in the fall.
The university awarded Great Minds fellowships to three undergraduate students last fall.
“This award strengthens our commitment to graduate education in the social work field,” Dr. Alex Sider, interim vice president of academic affairs, said in the release.
“It builds on the momentum developed by the Great Minds Fellowship grant at the undergraduate level to enable postbaccalaureate students to strengthen their credentials, furthering our ability to address unmet regional needs for service provision.”
Fellows must be Ohio residents, complete a paid internship at a participating Ohio Community Behavioral Health Center and commit to employment at a participating Ohio CBHC for at least one year after graduation, according to the release.
Bluffton University is making the grants available on a first come, first-served basis to new MSW students starting in the fall 2024 semester. Students must complete their degrees within two years to qualify.
