If you have the heart, the confidence, passion and the commitment it takes to pursue a career in child welfare, we have tuition assistance for you!
Our mandate, as the state’s child welfare agency, encompasses a wide range of services, including child protective services; assistance to help families stay safely together or be reunited; foster care and adoption services; and, support to youth and young adults transitioning from foster care to independence.
SCDSS works in partnership with local community-based services providers, family courts, and other public and private human services agencies to promote the safety, timely permanency, and welfare of children. Our child welfare services are directed toward these goals:
- Preventing separation of children from their families
- Protection of children alleged to be abused, neglected, or abandoned including provision of emergency and long-term alternate living arrangements
- Reunification of families who have had children placed with relatives or in foster care
- Establishment of permanent living arrangements for children who cannot be reunited with their families or when reunification would not be in the best interest of the child
- Support services for young adults preparing to exit foster care to make successful transitions into adulthood
Program Overview
The South Carolina Department of Social Services (SCDSS) is looking to hire a well-educated, trained workforce to work with children and families served by the state's child welfare system. SCDSS has partnered with South Carolina State University, the University of South Carolina, and Winthrop University to recruit, educate, and prepare BSW students for future employment in our Child Welfare Services Program.
The DSS Child Welfare BSW Scholars Tuition Assistance Program provides financial tuition assistance to selected undergraduate-level social work majors who are committed to working with the children and families served by DSS for a minimum of two-years.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible to apply for the DSS BSW Scholars Tuition Assistance Program, students must:
- Must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
- Obtain acceptance into the Bachelor of Social Work program at:
- South Carolina State University
- University of South Carolina
- Winthrop University
- Must have a 3.0 GPA or higher in all Social Work coursework and a 2.5 GPA or higher in all coursework.
- Apply during second semester sophomore year or first semester junior year for admission in program for remaining three semesters of the BSW program.
Program Guidelines and Student Commitment
To maintain good standing, student program participants must:
- Must maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher in all Social Work coursework and a 2.5 GPA or higher in all coursework.
- Satisfactorily complete a DSS Child Welfare internship.
- Apply for employment up to 60 days prior to graduation, and no later than 30 days after graduation.
- Accept the first offer of employment from DSS Child Welfare within 365 days of graduation.
- Maintain employment with DSS Child Welfare for at least two years.
Learn more about the shared commitment and partnership between (you) the student, the university, and DSS by contacting your Child Welfare BSW Scholars’ Tuition Assistance Program Administrator.
- South Carolina State University – Dr. Marcia Taylor mtaylo26@scsu.edu
- University of South Carolina – Dr. Bree Alexander, Ph.D., LISW-CP, LCSW-S alexa238@mailbox.sc.edu
- Winthrop University – Dr. Kori Bloomquist - bloomquistk@winthrop.edu
Application Requirements
Note: All applicants must be in their first semester Junior year or have 3 semesters remaining before graduation. Applicants will be required to complete background checks during the interview process.
To apply to the Child Welfare Scholars Program, students must complete the following steps:
- Gather
- The name and email address for the university internship faculty liaison. (NOTE: A portal link to complete a letter of reference will be sent to the internship faculty liaison)
- The name and email address for 3 references (2 academic and 1 professional to complete a letter of reference on their behalf. (NOTE: A portal link to complete a letter of reference will be sent to each person listed)
- Copy of the student’s official transcript.
- Prepare a 500–750-word essay on why the student wants to pursue a career in child welfare with DSS.
- Apply
- Go to the DSS Internship Portal.
- Click the "Create an Account" button in the top right corner of the page.
- Scroll down and click Proceed to Application.
- Complete and submit application.
Deadline for Application
- November 27, 2022
For more information, contact:
Michael Robbins
Workforce Developer, Human Resources
Michael.Robbins@dss.sc.gov
(803) 898-7371
Email: Internships@dss.sc.gov
BSW Tuition Assistance Program Brochures and Poster
SC State University
University of South Carolina
Winthrop University
