Social Work Education
Access Initiative
Educate Social Workers. Strengthen Communities.
Social workers serve veterans, children, families, older adults, people experiencing homelessness, individuals facing mental health challenges, and communities responding to crisis. Access to the education required to enter and advance within the profession should not become an unnecessary barrier to service.
The S.A.V.E. Social Work Education Access Initiative works to educate students about changes affecting the financing of social work education, connect future social workers with available resources, identify financial barriers affecting the social work workforce, and advocate for policies that preserve affordable pathways into the profession.
Understand the Issue
Understand federal student-aid changes and how they may affect social work education.
Learn About the IssueExplore Resources
Find scholarships, veterans' education benefits, federal aid information, employer assistance, and other education-funding resources.
Explore ResourcesTell Us Your Story
Tell S.A.V.E. how education costs or financing rules are affecting your path into social work.
Share Your StoryAdvocacy Center
Visit the separate S.A.V.E. advocacy center for legislative information and opportunities to contact policymakers.
Advocacy activity is conducted by the S.A.V.E. 501(c)(4) organization.
Visit the Advocacy CenterThe Issue
Last updated: September 28, 2026Federal student-loan rules distinguish between graduate programs and programs classified as professional degrees. Under the current interim federal professional-degree list, social work is not included among the listed programs receiving professional-degree treatment.
The RISE Final Rule took effect July 1, 2026 for the new graduate/professional loan framework, including elimination of Grad PLUS for the affected new-borrower framework and new annual/aggregate loan limits. After a June 2026 federal court order, the Department published an interim list of additional programs treated as professional degrees during the stay.
For students pursuing graduate social work education, federal financing changes can create funding gaps and may increase pressure to use private loans, personal funds, scholarships, employer assistance, veterans' education benefits, or other sources.
S.A.V.E. believes access to the social work profession should be based on a person's ability to learn and serve — not simply the ability to independently finance graduate education.
Resource Directory
Official sources for federal student aid, veterans' education benefits, professional association resources, and accreditation information. All links open in a new tab.
Federal Student Aid
Federal Student Aid
Federal student aid, FAFSA, loans, grants, and repayment information.
FAFSA — Free Application for Federal Student Aid
Official application for federal student aid.
FSA Professional Degree Guidance
Current Department of Education guidance on programs treated as professional degrees under the RISE Final Rule (court-order update, July 10, 2026).
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
Official federal PSLF information for qualifying public-service employment.
Veterans Education Benefits
VA Veteran Readiness & Employment (VR&E / Chapter 31)
Education, training, employment, and rehabilitation support for eligible veterans and service members.
VA VR&E Support and Services Tracks
Information about VR&E tracks, including Long-Term Services and education/training support.
VA VR&E — How to Apply
Official application information for Chapter 31 Veteran Readiness & Employment.
VA Education Benefits
Official VA education-benefit information including GI Bill and other programs.
Professional & Accreditation Resources
NASW — National Association of Social Workers
Professional association and advocacy resources for social workers.
NASW — Student Loan Debt Relief / Loan Limits
Current social-work-specific advocacy and federal loan-limit information.
Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
Accreditation standards and social work education resources. Find CSWE-accredited programs.
Veterans to Social Work
Veterans bring unique experience, resilience, and perspective to the social work profession. Many veterans are drawn to social work because of their own service experiences and a commitment to helping others navigate complex systems.
VA Veteran Readiness & Employment (VR&E / Chapter 31) can help eligible veterans address education or training needs connected to an approved employment goal. VR&E is not a general education benefit — it is a rehabilitation program. Not every veteran or every degree plan will be approved.
Veterans already using VR&E are encouraged to discuss the full educational pathway required for their vocational goal — including BSW and MSW requirements — with their assigned counselor. Understanding the full program length and requirements upfront helps ensure continuity of support.
S.A.V.E. provides this information for educational purposes only. Veterans should contact the VA directly for individualized benefits guidance.
S.A.V.E. Social Work Education Scholarship
S.A.V.E. is developing a scholarship program for students entering or continuing an accredited BSW or MSW program. The scholarship program will be announced only after S.A.V.E. has adopted written eligibility, selection, conflict-of-interest, recordkeeping, and award procedures, and after funding and governance approval.
No award amounts or application deadlines are available at this time.
501(c)(4) Advocacy — Separate Legal Entity
Ready to Take Action?
Advocacy activities — including contacting Congress and supporting legislation — are conducted through the S.A.V.E. 501(c)(4) social-welfare organization, which is a separate legal entity from the S.A.V.E. 501(c)(3) charitable foundation.
Visit the Advocacy CenterS.A.V.E. provides educational information and resource navigation. Information on this page is not legal, tax, financial-aid, or individualized benefits advice. Federal and state rules may change. Students should verify current requirements with Federal Student Aid, their school, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs when applicable, and other relevant agencies. Advocacy activities identified as S.A.V.E. advocacy are conducted through the applicable S.A.V.E. social-welfare organization. Charitable and advocacy contributions must be directed to the correct legal entity.