Earning your master of social work is one of the most rewarding investments you’ll ever make—but going back to school impacts your time, personal life and financial status. We’ll work with you to identify a financial aid package that addresses the cost of your education. Plus, we offer scholarships to 100 percent of our admitted students.
One of the most common questions we receive about pursuing an MSW is, "How can I afford this?" Our alumni will attest that the GSSW reputation, job satisfaction after graduation and the lifelong professional relationships they build here make the financial costs worthwhile.
If you are looking for tuition information for MSW@Denver, GSSW's online MSW program, please visit the MSW@Denver website.
Sign up for a 1:1 virtual, 15-minute phone call or Zoom video conference to discuss financial aid for our Master of Social Work Programs. Our GSSW Enrollment team will help answer your questions about scholarships, loans, or any other financial aid questions you may have.
For our Denver Campus MSW program, we provide more than $9 million in merit aid each year, and every student receives a scholarship. If admitted, scholarships are awarded in your acceptance letter. You don't need to apply for these funds; award amounts are granted based on academic achievements, personal accomplishments and experience. Some scholarships are available due to the generous endowments of our benefactors who understand the incredible importance of educating the next generation of social workers to create social change.
For the Four Corners MSW program, if you are a Native American student in a Southwest Tribe, you may qualify for the John and Sophie Ottens Foundation Scholarship.
In recognition of their profound contributions to social justice and systemic change, GSSW proudly awards Peace Corps, Teach for America and AmeriCorps alumni a one-time, one-year $5,000 public service scholarship in addition to their merit award. This scholarship is only available to Denver Campus MSW students. All City Year AmeriCorps, alumni or staff members admitted into the full-time Denver Campus MSW Programs will automaticaly receive a minimum $16,000 merit scholarship. City Year applicants will be considered for additional merit aid based on the strength of the application.
A separate application is not required to receive the public service scholarship, but you will need to add your volunteer or program history in the “Affiliations” section of the MSW application.
GSSW is an Unlimited Yellow Ribbon school. If you are an eligible Post 9/11 GI Bill veteran, you could qualify for the Yellow Ribbon Unlimited Benefit, which covers the full cost of tuition.
GSSW stipends are also a great way to fund your education.
There are three types of student loans available to you:
Federal Direct Unsubsidized loan: amounts up to $20,500 each year
This is the most widely used loan for graduate students. To qualify, you must fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The institutional code for the University of Denver is 001371. Advanced standing students must complete two FAFSAs—one for the current year and one for the next year since they begin studies in summer quarter.
Federal Direct Graduate PLUS loan: amounts up to the cost of attendance
Private education loans: amounts up to the cost of attendance
Loan forgiveness programs promote careers in fields that are under-serviced or fields that meet particular community needs. Depending on your situation, all or a portion of your loans may be cancelled or forgiven through these programs.
Many students pay for their education with a combination of scholarships, stipends and student loans. If admitted, you will calculate a total cost of attendance (COA) in consultation with DU’s Central Financial Aid Office. You can estimate your tuition rate per credit and annual tuition using DU's tuition calculator. The COA includes the master of social work tuition costs plus living expenses such as rent, transportation, food, etc.
The tuition below reflects the 2025-26 academic year; tuition is subject to change each year. Note: The University of Denver recently moved from a flat tuition rate to a per credit hour tuition rate. This new tuition structure is reflected in the chart below.
Denver Campus MSW Total Tuition
Program
Tuition
Curriculum Plans
Fall 2025
Denver Campus MSW Program (81 credits)
Denver Campus Part-Time MSW Program (81 credits)
Denver Campus Advanced-Standing MSW Program (54 credits)
Denver Campus Advanced-Standing Part TIme MSW Program (54 credits)
Many GSSW students work part-time while in the program. If you're a full-time first-year or second-year student and you complete the FAFSA, you may be eligible for Federal Work-Study. The average annual award is $5,000, requiring that you work about 10-15 hours per week. Work-study students can work alongside faculty members while assisting with their active research projects or support GSSW operations while working with staff teams such as field education, admission and student services.
Social Work Research Assistantships
Our faculty and institutes regularly have research assistantships that are open to MSW students. These students work on active research projects and receive community-based research experience, which is a strong resume builder. Last year 30 MSW students received research assistantships and were compensated up to $25 an hour.
Need help identifying a financial aid plan that works for you?
GSSW faculty and alumni coauthored chapters in a new book, “Social Work, White Supremacy, and Racial Justice,” which challenges readers to forge new practices, policies and pedagogies for an anti-racist future.
GSSW Prof. Johnny Kim is studying Ellipsis Health’s AI-based depression and anxiety measurement tool for adolescents. The tool could dramatically change how mental health care is provided in schools.
