So the program is like 100k for the whole thing. I qualify for aid as an undergrad, I have. 4.0 gpa, and do work on the side in an underpaid but much needed field of work as a counselor. What kind of aid can I realistically get? How can someone go to a place like USC and not spend a small fortune doing it?
Financial aid is really more of an undergrad-level thing. Once you are on the graduate level, most people pay for most of their professional degrees with personal funds and/or loans.
Sometimes, some MSW programs may have limited scholarship support for people from certain communities and cultural groups, or for people with very high academic achievement. These are usually awarded by the school without any separate application. They are rarely full scholarships - the most you may get offered is half-tuition. Sometimes, at some schools graduate/teaching/research assistants may be offered tuition remission but that’s pretty uncommon for professional programs (and it’s hard to do it when you’re an MSW student, since you have fieldwork). So you can see if USC has scholarships for MSW students (they may be listed on the website, but often they are not and you can contact the admissions office).
But the need-based financial aid that’s available to undergrads - grants and such - are typically not awarded to grad students.
Where is your home state? IMO the best way to get an MSW is to go to a program at a public university in a state of which you are a resident. You can either return to where you lived before college, or you can move to a new state and establish residency there first.
Thank you for your reply, I’m in California and just weighing my options. I’m looking at Cal States for sure.