National Association of Social Workers, Hawai’i Chapter
NASW Student Community Service Scholarships
2016 Scholarship Package
Application Description and Guidelines
The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Hawai’i Chapter Board of Directors
continues to focus on the future of social work and the need to recruit more social workers into
the profession. In keeping with this goal, the NASW Student Community Service Scholarship
was established in 2009 to support students in their education and pursuit of careers in social
work.
The annual NASW Hawai’i Chapter fund development campaign is supporting three
scholarships of $500 each to be awarded to three BSW students and two $1500 Scholarships for
MSW or PhD students who are currently enrolled in a social work program at Brigham Young
University – Hawai’i, Hawai’i Pacific University, and the University of Hawai’i. The NASW
Hawai’i Chapter Board of Directors seeks applicants that have made a single or ongoing
significant contribution to their community, are members of NASW, and are in good academic
standing at their social work program. The student must highlight in a personal statement the
type of service(s) they are providing in the community. The NASW Hawai’i Chapter Board is
looking for the applicant’s commitment and dedication to the community (or multiple
communities) and the people served through their work.
Eligibility Criteria:
1. Currently enrolled student in good standing (no holds or probationary status; no outstanding
ethical, criminal or other complaints) in one of three accredited social work programs in
Hawai’i.
2. Active member of NASW.
3. Significant community service not for pay, internship, practicum or other “required” work.
4. Completed application form and all materials submitted by due date.
5. Not a current intern, volunteer, member of or related to the staff or board of NASW Hawai’i
Chapter
Application Materials:
1. Applicants are required to submit an application form (enclosed with this package) and
accompanying materials to the NASW Hawaii Chapter, 677 Ala Moana Blvd, Suite 903,
Honolulu, HI 96813. Materials may also be scanned and emailed to info@naswhi.org
2. Materials must include copies of: 1) your NASW membership card or other verification of
NASW membership, and 2) your current or upcoming class schedule.
3. Each applicant must complete a personal statement responding to the themes, questions and
guidelines outlined below. Your statement should be no more than 5 pages, double-spaced,
NASW-HI SW scholarship app; 2016; p. 1
4. 12-point font, and 1” margins. Include your name and page number on each page of your
statement.
5. One reference letter from a faculty or staff member from the social work program in which
you are currently enrolled must be included with your application. The guidelines for the
faculty/staff reference letter are outlined below. Make sure you select a faculty/staff person
who knows you well enough to address the points required in the reference letter.
6. Please note, incomplete or late application packages will not be accepted. Applications
must be postmarked or emailed by 2/12/16
Review Process:
1. The NASW Hawai’i Chapter Board of Directors or their designees will make the final
selection of scholarship recipients.
Scholarship Restrictions:
1. The scholarship award will be made directly to each individual recipient (not to the social
work program or any other designee).
2. The scholarship is awarded without any restrictions or requirements; that is, recipients are
allowed to use their award for any purpose.
3. The scholarship award may be subject to income tax. Please check with a tax advisor on this
matter. NASW Hawai’i Chapter does not assume any liability to scholarship recipients for
these awards.
4. Recipients will be asked to appear at the NASW Hawai’i Chapter Annual Dinner (Friday,
March 11, 2016) to receive their awards. They may also be asked by NASW to make
statements, have photos taken or participate in other NASW sponsored events upon or after
the receiving their scholarships to share their experiences with the award and/or as social
workers.
DUE DATES:
Completed applications to NASW:
Scholarship recipients selected:
Scholarship award presentation:
NASW-HI SW scholarship app; 2016; p. 2
February 12, 2016
February 26, 2016
March 11, 2016
National Association of Social Workers (NASW), Hawai’i Chapter
NASW Student Community Service Scholarship
2016 Personal Statement Guidelines
Thank you for your interest in the NASW Student Community Service Scholarships. Please
review the scholarship description and objectives in preparing your personal statement.
Remember that this award highlights your views, values and experiences as an evolving social
work professional. Tell the review committee about yourself, and how your contributions to
public and community service have influenced you in becoming a future social worker.
Your letter should address the following points:
1. In one-two pages, describe any relevant information about your background that influenced
your decision to study social work and to become a professional social worker.
2. The NASW Student Community Service Scholarship is established to acknowledge the need
to recruit more compassionate and dedicated individuals into professional social work. It
focuses on the strengths and potential inherent in every person, family, group or community,
and the ways social workers view those with whom they work and serve. How do your
views, values and experiences exemplify these objectives?
3. The NASW Student Community Service Scholarships specifically honors outstanding single
or ongoing service to community beyond that required by a paid job, internship or practicum.
Describe the community service that you have engaged in that best demonstrates the intent
and objectives of this award? (NOTE: This is the most important part of your personal
statement.)
4. What are your plans after graduating with your current social work degree?
5. Is there anything else that you want your social work program’s review committee and
NASW Hawai’i Chapter Board to know about your “fit” for this scholarship?
NASW-HI SW scholarship app; 2016; p. 3
National Association of Social Workers (NASW), Hawai’i Chapter
NASW Student Community Service Scholarships
2016 Social Work Faculty/Staff Reference Guidelines
Thank you for serving as a reference for the NASW Student Community Service Scholarships
program. We would appreciate if you would write a letter on your campus letterhead in support
of this worthy student. Your letter should address the following points:
1. How long and in what capacity have you known this student?
2. What is your knowledge about the student’s academic ability and performance, including in
practicum? How would you compare this student with other social work students at an
equivalent level of training with whom you have had direct knowledge or experience?
3. What would you say are two or three significant, unique or outstanding traits or
characteristics about this student, particularly as you view the student as an emerging social
work professional?
4. The NASW Student Community Service Scholarships is established to acknowledge the need
to recruit more compassionate and dedicated individuals into professional social work. It also
focuses on the strengths and potential inherent in every person, family, group or community,
and the ways social workers view those with whom they work and serve. How does this
student exemplify these objectives?
5.
The NASW Student Community Service Scholarships also honors outstanding single or
ongoing service to community beyond that required by an internship or practicum. What do
you know about this student’s contributions in planning, delivering or advocating for
community service?
6.
Do you believe this student will complete the social work degree for which they are
currently enrolled? What do you know or what can you imagine this student will contribute
to the future of professional social work when they leave your social work program?
7.
Is there any other relevant information you would like to share about this student’s
background, skills or knowledge that make them an outstanding applicant for this
scholarship?
NASW-HI SW scholarship app; 2016; p. 4
National Association of Social Workers (NASW), Hawai’i Chapter
NASW Student Community Service Scholarships
2016 Application Cover Sheet
LAST NAME______________________________FIRST NAME__________________M.I.__
MAILING ADDRESS: __________________________________________________________________
CITY_______________________________________STATE___________ZIP_____________
PHONE (best #s to reach you):__________________________________________________
EMAIL (best emails to reach you):_______________________________________________
SCHOOL____________________________________________________________________
WORKING TOWARDS DEGREE (Circle one)
BSW
MSW
PhD
PROJECTED GRADUATION DATE (Month/Year) _____________________
WHO REFERRED YOU FOR THIS SCHOLARSHIP? ______________________________
REQUIRED ATTACHMENTS:
1. Please attach a copy of your NASW membership card or other verification of NASW
membership, and a
2. A copy of your current class schedule
3. A personal statement responding to the questions outlined in the 2016 Personal
Statement Guidelines attached. Please make sure your statement is no more than 5
pages, double-spaced, 12-point font, and 1” margins. Include your name and page
number on each page of your statement.
4. One reference letter from a faculty or staff member from the social work program in
which you are currently enrolled. The requirements for the faculty/staff reference
letter are outlined in the 2016 Social Work Faculty/Staff Reference Guidelines
attached.
To be completed by the School or Program
I confirm that this student is currently enrolled in our program and is in good standing.
Signature of Advisor, Dean, or Program Director
NASW-HI SW scholarship app; 2016; p. 5
Date