Understanding the Costs of the SDSU MSW Program and Available Financial Aid

For individuals aspiring to advance their careers in social work, earning a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree can be a pivotal step. San Diego State University (SDSU) offers a comprehensive MSW program, but understanding the associated costs and available financial aid is crucial for prospective students. This article breaks down the tuition expenses, eligibility requirements, and various scholarship and financial aid opportunities available to MSW students at SDSU.

Admission Requirements for the SDSU MSW Program

Before delving into the costs, it's important to understand the basic requirements for admission into the MSW program at SDSU. Applicants should:

Hold a Bachelor’s degree with a liberal arts foundation from an accredited college or university.
Have a minimum of 500 hours of any paid or unpaid (volunteering or internship) work with a diverse, vulnerable population. (It is recommended that you have over 1000 hours. Example: hospitals, mental health centers, advocacy programs, universities, training departments, treatment centers, churches, care facilities, social service agencies, non-profit organizations, etc.)
Completion of a statistics course is required with a grade of a C or better. Examples would include Stats 119, Stats 250, Soc 201, Psy 280.
The GRE will no longer be required to apply for MSW applicants.

Additionally, international coursework requires official original-language copies of all records of academic coursework and proof of degree sent directly to SDSU Graduate Admissions from the school. Certified literal English translations are also required for each document, either from the school itself or a professional, certified translator.

Tuition and Fees for the MSW Program

Understanding the tuition structure is essential for budgeting and financial planning. Currently, tuition and fees are approximately $10,800 per year for full-time MSW students.

It is the student's responsibility to be aware of total fees due whether or not a notice is received. Students with an approved Petition for Late Schedule Adjustment must pay, in addition to the $20.00 late add fee, any fees that may be due as a result of the added units.

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Basic Tuition & Fees: The cost is dependent on a student's academic program as well as status (full or part time).

Non-Resident Tuition & Fees: Out-of-state and foreign students, referred to as Non-Resident, will be charged Non-Resident Tuition & Fees at a rate of $444 per unit of coursework for Spring 2026. Non-Resident Tuition must be paid in full prior to the first day of instruction.

Out-of-State and International Fee: Effective Fall 2023, incoming out-of-state and international students will be required to pay the new Out-of-State and International Fee in addition to Non-Resident Tuition.

Professional Program Fees: Graduate students enrolled in the Fowler College of Business will be charged Professional Program Fees at a rate of $303 per unit of coursework for Spring 2026. There is no Installment Plan option for this fee.

Additional Costs to Consider

While tuition is a significant expense, students should also consider the total cost, which includes:

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Food and housing
Books and supplies
Transportation
Personal expenses

At San Diego State University, the total cost is $36,090 for in-state students and $48,690 for out-of-state students.

Payment Information and Policies

Following enrollment into courses, Tuition and fees must be paid by the payment deadline located in your my.SDSU Financial Account Tile. Payments are accepted for the exact amount of fees. Overpayments of $10.00 or less are refunded only upon request.

Payment of tuition and fees should be made online or by check or money order. The university reserves the right to refuse payment by personal check or eCheck from those individuals who have previously had items returned unpaid by their bank. Student Account Services does not accept credit cards for in-person payment of Basic Tuition and Fees. All administrative and financial holds must be cleared prior to the enrollment of classes.

Nonresident (foreign and out-of-state) tuition must be paid prior to the first day of classes. Nonresident and foreign students must pay or sign up for the Tuition Installment Plan for a minimum of 12 units (9 units graduate) at the time of registration.

Whether or not an invoice is received from the university, students are liable for payment of all tuition and fees related to units held on or added after the close of business on the 12th day following the commencement of instruction.

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Late Payments: Late payments will be assessed late charges.

Returned Payments: If your payment for tuition and fees is returned by the bank for any reason, your registration may be canceled and you will be billed $55.00 (a dishonored payment charge of $35.00 and late fee of $20.00).

Credit Card Payments: In cooperation with Transact (3rd party payment provider) students have the choice to use a credit card (American Express, MasterCard, Discover Card and Diners Club Card) to pay tuition and fees, Installment Payment Plan fees as well as housing charges. Payment of student tuition and fees may be subject to a non-refundable credit card processing fee.

Refund Policy: In order to receive a full refund of tuition and mandatory fees, including nonresident tuition, less an administrative charge established by the campus, a student must cancel registration or drop all courses prior to the first day of instruction for the term.

Navigating Financial Aid and Scholarship Opportunities

SDSU recognizes the financial challenges that graduate students may face and offers a range of financial aid and scholarship opportunities.

SDSU Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships

The SDSU Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships lists numerous additional scholarships specific to social work students as well as opportunities open to all students.

School of Social Work Scholarships

Several scholarships are specifically designated for students within the School of Social Work:

The School of Social Work Scholarship: Provides support for students in the School of Social Work. The scholarship funds will be awarded to first-year MSW students who are interested in Direct Practice. Awards range from $500-$1,300. It also provides support for students completing an internship in the School of Social Work. Awards are up to $500.
The Norma Funderburk Scholarship: An endowment that supports student scholarship(s) within the School of Social Work.
The Jane Beers Memorial Scholarship: Established in memory of Jane Beers, a graduate of the BSW program, the scholarship funds will be awarded to first year MSW students who are interested in Direct Practice.
The Ernst Witte Scholarship: Named after the founding dean of the School of Social Work, this fund provides one $500 annual scholarship. Criteria include student activities in community organizing and community development as well as academic achievement. Application is made through the School of Social Work Consensus Organizing Center in the spring semester.
The David C. Pritchard Memorial Scholarship: Established to assist dedicated students in attaining their educational and career goals in social work and gerontology. The David C. Pritchard Memorial Scholarship is available to undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in the Gerontology program or undergraduate Social Work majors. This fund provides two $1,000 awards annually.
The Kathleen Kopels Celebration Scholarship: Provides scholarship support to master’s students within the College of Health and Human Services and who have an emphasis in Mental Health. This fund provides two $500 awards annually.
The Mark Todd Sandways Memorial Scholarship: Provides scholarship support for graduate students majoring in Social Work. This fund provides an award of up to $475 annually.
The Jamie Brenner Geller Memorial Scholarship: An endowment whose distributions will be used to support 2nd year Social Work graduate students who are interested in enhancing the welfare and well-being of children. This fund provides an award of up to $1,000 annually.

External Scholarship Opportunities

The NASW Foundation: Accepting applications for scholarships and doctoral fellowships to help provide financial resources to social work students pursuing a variety of social work specialties. Apply online. Applications are accepted through March.

Loan Forgiveness Programs

Federal Perkins Loans: The Department of Education has implemented legislation that will allow some social work students who have received Federal Perkins Loans to have their loan obligations reduced or canceled. To qualify for a reduction or cancellation of a Perkins loan debt you must work full time after graduation in an agency serving high risk or disabled children, families from low income communities, or in early intervention.

Fellowship Programs

These programs provide financial support and unique learning experiences:

New American Fellowship Program: Supports thirty individuals a year for up to two years of graduate study. The Fellowship provides $25,000/year and half tuition (up to $20,000 per year). The deadline to apply is October and announcements are made in April.
Senate Fellows Program: Provides exposure to the legislative process for participants and research and administrative assistance to Senate members and policy committees. Fellows receive stipends of $2,964 per month during their eleven-month fellowship.
Executive Fellowship Program: Gives recent graduates and midcareer applicants of all backgrounds and academic disciplines a unique opportunity to gain understanding of California government. Fellows receive a monthly stipend of $1972 plus health benefits.

Stipend Programs

The IVE program: provides stipends to students who plan a career in public child welfare. MSW students receive two years of support, at $18,500 per year.
Geriatric Master of Social Work (MSW) Training Stipend Program: The GEWP- MSW Training Stipend focuses on MSW students in their advanced year. The program will provide eligible students in their final year of the MSW program with Training, education, and opportunities necessary to work with ADRD patients, their families, caregivers, and other inter-professional teams of social work professionals.

Other Financial Aid Options

County Social Service and Child Welfare: County Social Service and Child Welfare workers currently employed at county agencies are eligible for a special part time program that pays for registration, books and travel expenses.
Raymond M. Peterson Scholarship: This Annual Scholarship Award for $1,000 is to be used for educational purposes of worthy, talented, industrious men and women who are planning a career or presently working in a child development program or in the field of developmental disabilities.
California State University System Scholarships: Three non-renewable awards in the amount of $2,500 each will be awarded to currently enrolled full time students of the California State University System.
SDSU Employee/Retiree Scholarship: Up to 10 scholarships of up to $4,000 each will be awarded for the academic year. SDSU students whose parents, grandparents or great grandparents are employed or retired from SDSU are eligible to apply for a special scholarship.
Short-Term Loans: The Financial Aid and Scholarships Office on campus has available short-term loans to handle emergency situations. Loans are up to $1,000.
San Diego Nice Guys Grants: The San Diego Nice Guys, a local charitable organization, has in the past provided our students with funds to handle dire emergencies.
Department of Chicana and Chicano Studies Scholarship: The Department of Chicana and Chicano Studies offers a scholarship each year in memory of Cesar Chavez. Awards of up to $200 are given in the spring semester for the purchase of class materials or books.

Fee Waiver Programs

Military Dependents: Dependents of veterans with service-connected disability or death (California Education Code, Section 32320) will have eligible tuition and fees paid or waived under provisions of these respective programs.
Foster Youth: Current or former foster youth who meet certain criteria may be eligible for fee waivers.
Surviving Dependents of Public Agency Employees: Surviving spouse or child of a deceased California resident who was employed by a public agency, or was a contractor or an employee of a contractor, performing services for a public agency, and was killed or died as a result of an industrial injury or illness arising out of and in the course of the performance of his/her principal duties of active law enforcement or fire suppression duties.
Exonerated Individuals: A person who has been exonerated, as that term is defined in Section 3007.05(e) of the Penal Code may be eligible for fee waivers.
Senior Citizen Fee Waiver Program: San Diego State University offers a fee waiver program for California residents 60 years of age and older.

Affordable MSW Programs in California

The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) reports that California has 27 fully-accredited MSW programs. The average total cost of tuition for full-time in-state students enrolled in traditional two-year MSW programs in California is about $29,000.

Here are some affordable MSW programs in California:

Cal Poly Humboldt
CSU- Bakersfield
Chico State
CSUDH
Cal State East Bay
Fresno State
CSUF
CSULB
Cal State LA
CSUMB
CSUN
Sacramento State
CSUSB
CSUSM
Stanislaus State
SDSU
SFSU
SJSU
The Berkeley School of Social Welfare

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