Family Protection Specialist Social Worker Loan/Scholarship (SWOR)

Family Protection Specialist Social Worker Loan/Scholarship (SWOR)

Program Overview
The Family Protection Specialist Social Worker Loan/Scholarship (SWOR) was created by the Mississippi Legislature during the 2006 legislative session and was established to encourage family protection workers employed by the Department of Human Services to obtain the college education necessary to become licensed as a social worker, master social worker, or certified social worker and become a family protection specialist for the department.

Important Date:
Application Deadline: March 31

Eligibility:
Available to the student who:
Completes the online application. This online application must be completed each academic year whether you are a prior recipient or a first-time applicant.
Is classified as a junior or senior working on a bachelor's degree or is working on a first master's degree
Is a student at a Mississippi college or university
Is seeking a degree in social work necessary to become licensed as a social worker, master social worker or certified social worker and become a family protection specialist for the Department of Human Services
Is employed as a family protection worker by the Department of Human Services
Has a 2.0 or better cumulative grade point average

Renewal:
All continuing participants must:
Exhibit the satisfactory academic progress standards as established by the institution throughout the normal time required to complete the degree curriculum
Renew the application each year by completing the online application by the established deadline date
Maintain a 2.0 or better cumulative grade point average
Award and Length of Eligibility
Scholarship awards are available to both full-time and part-time students. Students enrolling on a full-time basis may receive a maximum of two (2) annual awards. The maximum award will not exceed the highest tuition and required fees at a state institution of higher learning. Awards for part-time students will be based on hours enrolled with a minimum of six (6) hours required each semester.

Service Obligation
After a recipient has received a license from the Board of Examiners for Social Workers and Marriage and Family Therapists, the recipient shall render service as a family protection specialist for the Department of Human Services for a period of not less than three (3) years from the date the individual became a family protection specialist.
Any recipient that fails to become licensed shall become liable immediately for all scholarship awards received, plus interest accruing at the current Federal Stafford Loan rate.
To Apply:

Complete the online application.
Upon receipt the Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid will contact you regarding other documents which may be necessary to determine your eligibility.