Online MSW Tuition and Financial Aid
MSW Tuition
Tuition for both the MSW and MSW/MS-DRL is $1,276 per credit hour plus an academic support service fee of $60 per credit hour. Additional university fees may apply.
MSW Cost per Credit:
$1,276
MSW Tuition:
Traditional program: $76,560
Advanced Standing program: $61,248
MSW/MS-DRL Tuition:
$95,700
Investing in Your Future
Developing the professional skills to empower individuals and communities to thrive does require an upfront investment, and we recognize that for some this will present an obstacle. When evaluating how to pay for a master’s degree, prospective students should know that a number of resources are available to them, including tuition assistance from their employers, external scholarships, and student loan programs.
MSW graduates often find employment as social workers. The median starting salary is around $50,47011, with some social workers earning around $80,000. As each person is unique and salaries may differ by city and state, you should evaluate your personal goals after graduation in order to assess your earning potential.
Occupation Title:
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers2
Child, Family, and School Social Workers3
Healthcare Social Workers4
Financial Assistance Options
Students have a variety of options to fund their tuition. We have included some of the most frequently used funding options below but encourage you to consult with the Financial Aid Office or a financial advisor when determining the best way to fund your tuition.
Most students who attend our programs utilize a combination of federal need-based financial aid, employer reimbursement, scholarships, and personal funds.
Need-based aid (U.S. federal loans): Need-based awards are loans from the U.S. federal government that are administered by the Tulane University Financial Aid Office. The Tulane FAFSA code is 002029. Two types of loans are offered:
Eligible students must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and be enrolled in a degree-granting academic program. Graduate students must be enrolled in at least 6 credits per semester to qualify for need-based assistance. Graduate students who qualify for federal loans may borrow up to $20,500 every academic year. All federal loan programs require that the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) be filed before eligibility can be determined.
PLUS loans are intended to cover the amount of the total cost of attendance (COA) that is not covered by other financial aid. Students must have already completed the FAFSA to be considered for a federal direct loan.
If federal loans are unavailable or insufficient, we can help you explore private or alternative education loans. Unlike federal loans, private loans do not require the FAFSA to apply. Private loans are not based on need, and approval is generally based on creditworthiness and ability to repay. Some students may need to apply with a credit-worthy co-signer. Lenders determine the interest rates, grace periods, repayment options, and fees, all of which can vary considerably from lender to lender; generally, private loans have higher interest rates than federal loans.
Tulane University, U.S. Peace Corps, and Fulbright Initiative
The Tulane University 2020 Peace Corps and Fulbright Initiative was created to make graduate study more accessible to U.S. Peace Corps volunteers (PCVs) and Fulbright grantees called back from international placements due to COVID-19. Tulane University is offering scholarships to recently returned PCVs and Fulbright student grantees who are admitted and enter Tulane graduate programs starting in summer 2020, fall 2020, and spring 2021. Click here for more information.
External Scholarship Opportunities
We encourage prospective students to search for external scholarships. These include scholarships from social work-related organizations, other professional organizations and scholarship focused websites such as Fastweb.
National Association of Social Workers Foundation
The Consuelo W. Gosnell Memorial Scholarship awards scholarships of as much as $4,000 each to students who demonstrate a commitment to working within the Native American, Alaska Native, and Hispanic-American communities. Eligible students must be members of the NASW and enrolled in an accredited Master of Social Work program.
The Verne LaMarr Lyons Memorial Scholarship awards four $5,500 scholarships to students pursuing a master’s degree in social work. Students must demonstrate a commitment to serving the mental and physical health needs of the African-American community. Eligible students must be members of the NASW, be enrolled in an accredited Master of Social Work program, and have a minimum 3.0 GPA.
National Association of Black Social Workers
Recipients of these scholarships must have a 2.5 grade-point average on a 4-point scale. Students must also have demonstrated service to the community and express a research interest in the black community. Eligible students must be enrolled for full-time study at an accredited United States social work program in the semester the award will be granted. Several awards are available from the associations, including the following:
- Cenie “Jomo” Williams Tuition Scholarship: Two awards of $2,500
- Selena Danette Brown Book Scholarship: Four awards of $250
American School Health Association scholarships provide financial assistance to students pursuing a degree with an emphasis on school health education. One graduate student and one undergraduate student will each receive a $250 scholarship. Through the Student Research Grants program, ASHA also provides financial support for students to complete research in areas related to the mission of ASHA. All student members of ASHA are eligible to apply.
The Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund aids students who demonstrate active participation in struggles for civil rights, economic justice, international solidarity or other progressive issues. These need-based scholarships are awarded to those able to do academic work at the university level and who are part of the progressive movement on the campus and in the community.
The Hispanic Scholarship Fund offers a number of scholarships for persons of Hispanic background obtaining their graduate degree.
The Point Foundation empowers promising LGBTQ students to achieve their full academic and leadership potential, despite the obstacles often put before them, to make a significant impact on society.
The Paul D. Coverdell Fellows Program (formerly known as Fellows/USA) provides financial assistance to Peace Corps volunteers who have successfully completed their service and are now seeking to attend graduate school.
Religiously Affiliated Scholarships
Many religious organizations set aside funds to support students who are pursuing careers in community service and social work. These programs are typically restricted to members of the faith in general — and often to members of specific congregations. Students interested in pursuing a career in social work should contact the leaders of their churches, synagogues, or other religious communities for information on financial aid that may be available to help them pay for college.
The Jewish Community Centers of North America Graduate Scholarship Program provides merit-based financial aid to Jewish students who are pursuing degrees in a number of fields that will lead to contributions to the Jewish community. Eligible students may receive up to $10,000 per year, for two years, while they pursue a graduate degree.
The United Methodist Scholarship Program is a church-wide educational service that provides financial aid to undergraduate and graduate students through various scholarships.
How to Apply for Aid for the MSW Program
Prospective students should follow the steps outlined in the latest Tulane University School of Social Work Financial Aid Checklist and use this tool to complete all the necessary steps to obtain their financial aid in a timely manner.
Additional Financial Aid Information
Tulane University financial aid awards for qualified online students reflect expected total costs associated with tuition, fees, and books. Consideration for an allowance of any other expenses requires the completion of a Tulane Financial Aid “Adjustment Form” and will be reviewed on a case by case basis. Additional documentation is often requested before finalizing a decision.
For additional information on financial aid from Tulane, we invite prospective students to visit our Financial Aid page here.
Online MSW/MS DRL Dual Degree
We are excited to announce that the Master of Social Work (MSW) and Master of Science in Disaster Resilience Leadership (MS-DRL) dual degree is now offered online.
Communities need capable and compassionate leaders to help them prepare for, respond to, and recover from natural and manmade disasters. This program prepares students to launch extraordinary careers as social workers who possess interdisciplinary training in disaster resilience. The unique curriculum develop leaders to create of individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
Contact Us
Downtown Graduate & Professional Financial Aid Office
Phone: 504-988-6135
Hours: Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Central
Downtown Graduate & Professional Financial Aid Office Mailing address
Tulane University Health Sciences
University Financial Aid
Suite 1213
1440 Canal Street
New Orleans, LA 70112-2699
1. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm
2. https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes211023.htm